"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one or few." Which, frankly, I disagree with. As soon as you start assuming that one person isn't worth as much as ten people you can easily say that one person isn't worth anything at all. It's a balancing act, trying to preserve the welfare of the most people while still respecting the worth of individuals. Dumbledore, in my view, does not respect the worth of individuals. It's okay that Harry was abused, because he needed to grow up "safe" and that he can save the world. It's okay that Sirius went crazy in Grimmauld Place because it protected the secrecy of the Order. It's okay that Snape's soul is torn because it secures his cover story. And so on.
I think that a line has to be drawn, and I personally draw it at human rights violations. The treatment of Harry and Sirius, at least, crosses that line, which is a very large part of why I hate Dumbledore. That and I find his personality to be very distasteful, so none of his dialogue compensates for the actions I find objectionable -- which, btw, can happen for me. There are a number of callous mastermind characters that I adore, or characters who sacrifice their own morals to save the day (Vetinari, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, Benjamin Sisko). But I like their personalities, I think the reasons for their choices are fully presented in the canon, and I understand what it costs them. It appears to cost Dumbledore nothing, and even if it does cost him something I still balance the meager sympathy I feel for his moral pangs against the prices Sirius, Snape, and Harry pay (the characters actually sacrificing in Dumbledore's schemes).
what it boils down to is opinion...and we have to agree that we totally disagree, hopefully we can continue to do it agreeably. I will continue to read your comments in a non-strident manner, tho at times it is difficult to do so....:D
I think that a line has to be drawn, and I personally draw it at human rights violations. The treatment of Harry and Sirius, at least, crosses that line, which is a very large part of why I hate Dumbledore. That and I find his personality to be very distasteful, so none of his dialogue compensates for the actions I find objectionable -- which, btw, can happen for me. There are a number of callous mastermind characters that I adore, or characters who sacrifice their own morals to save the day (Vetinari, Wesley Wyndam-Pryce, Benjamin Sisko). But I like their personalities, I think the reasons for their choices are fully presented in the canon, and I understand what it costs them. It appears to cost Dumbledore nothing, and even if it does cost him something I still balance the meager sympathy I feel for his moral pangs against the prices Sirius, Snape, and Harry pay (the characters actually sacrificing in Dumbledore's schemes).
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