The second part in the series. Philosophy from the title does not refer to the first part of the series (Harry potter and the philosophers stone). Likewise “II” does not refer to book two but refers to the second part in this online series on Harry Potter and companions.
There are a lot of intertextual references in the HP series. This study will consider the situations from “HP and the prisoner of azkaban” and “HP and the order of the phoenix.”
In the prisoner of azkaban Harry at first has trouble conjuring a “patronus” which has to protect him from certain magical creatures. The trouble in his performance of magic arises from his lack of certitude vis-a-vis intention.
When performed correctly the “patronus charm” should protect Harry from “dementors,” which are creatures which make their subjects relive their worst experiences. Since Harry Potter’s parents were murdered by “Voldemort,” who embodies “literal evil” Dementors make Harry reexperience the death of his parents.
However since Harry has no real memory of them (they died when Harry was a baby) the attack of the Dementors is in this stage of his life the only thing that at least can make Harry remember his parents (albeit their last moments). For this reason his intention to succesfully perform the “charm” which protects him from a dementor-attack is not fully there.
This same inability to perform “magic” recurs in Harry Potter and the order of the Phoenix when Harry has difficulty with the performence of “occlumency,” a certain practice which should shield the mind of external influences. In this particular example Harry does not fully want to master occlumency since he is curious to certain dreams that he has, which again disrupts his complete intention to correctly perform a “mode of magic.”
In philosophical speak these examples are interesting because there is a dilemma. Should Harry learn/remember the death of his parents? Is ignorance bliss? In the books Harry’s coming to knowledge of the details of his parents death is not “punished” by a change of fortune rather for the first time in seven years his “house” wins the annual quidditch competition.
However in the order of the Phoenix Harry’s curiosity is punished since ultimately he losses his godfather, which can causually be traced back to Harry’s choice of dismissing occlumency for a (at the moment) gratifying continuation of his dream.
There are two caveats to this interpretation:
- The events that follow his inability of performing occlumency also reveal to the wizarding world that “the dark lord” has indeed returned, so from a cold utilitarian standpoint the consequences are positive.
- If Harry does not know what are the positives of learning “occlumency” it is not illogical that he neglects it over a certain “knowledge” that he finds through his dreams. Continue below.
As Harry gets lessons in occlumency by Professor Snape, who is fated to be Harry’s non-evil enemy it is possible to understand that Harry does not have an easy time to find meaning in the lessons.
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