Why don’t Wizards Use Avada Kedavra More?
When reading the Harry Potter books, we often wonder: Why don’t wizards use Avada Kedavra all the time in battle? If you’re really fighting to win, it seems like you’re at a big disadvantage if you’re only stunning or disarming your opponents.
We brought in renowned philosophers Bertrand Russell and St. Augustine to discuss the ethics of the killing curse, and the reasons wizards might not use it more often.
The Verdict: Some wizards believe that the use of such a brutal and deadly curse can never be justified, no matter the circumstances.
BERTRAND RUSSELL: St. Augustine, I find it hard to understand how you can condone the use of the Avada Kedavra curse, an unforgivable spell used to kill people outright, by so-called good wizards in the Harry Potter series. In my philosophy, we must always strive to reduce suffering and violence in the world, not perpetuate it.
ST. AUGUSTINE: Bertrand, you seem to be overlooking the fact that the war against Voldemort and his Death Eaters is not just any war, but a battle between good and evil. In such a war, it is not only necessary, but also ethical to use any means necessary to defeat the forces of evil.
BERTRAND RUSSELL: But what about the principle of "the end justifies the means"? I believe that the use of such a brutal and deadly curse can never be justified, no matter the circumstances.
ST. AUGUSTINE: But the end, in this case, is the preservation of good and the defeat of evil. Surely, this end justifies any means necessary to achieve it.
BERTRAND RUSSELL: But what if the "good" wizards using the Avada Kedavra curse are actually committing evil themselves by taking innocent lives? In my philosophy, we must always consider the consequences of our actions, not just the intentions.
ST. AUGUSTINE: I understand your concerns, but in the heat of battle, one must be willing to make difficult choices. Take the example of Dumbledore, who used the curse to kill Voldemort's loyal follower, Bellatrix Lestrange, in order to protect innocent lives. In this case, the killing of one evil person to save many is justifiable.
BERTRAND RUSSELL: But what if the "good" wizards are not able to make the correct judgement about who is truly evil? We see in the series how many people were falsely accused and killed by the Ministry of Magic's use of the Unforgivable Curses.
ST. AUGUSTINE: That is a valid concern, but I believe that true good wizards would have the wisdom and discernment to use such curses only in the most necessary of circumstances and not let emotions cloud their judgement.
BERTRAND RUSSELL: I see that we will not come to an agreement on this matter. But I maintain that the use of such brutal and deadly force can never be justified and can only lead to more suffering and violence in the world.
ST. AUGUSTINE: And I maintain that in a war between good and evil, any means necessary to defeat evil must be used, even if it means using the Avada Kedavra curse. It is a matter of survival.
