pedanterrific comments on Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality discussion thread, part 14, chapter 82

pedanterrific 5 Apr 2012 3:57 UTC
5 points
So, you think he’s not SC but wanted McGonagall and Snape to think he was? In that case, why carefully evade the question rather than just lie?

Edit: And I don’t see

“Albus,” Minerva said, surprised at how steady her own voice was, “did you leave those notes under Mr. Potter’s pillow?” [...]

Dumbledore nodded to her, though the accompanying smile seemed a bit hollow. “You know me far too well, my dear.”

as a ‘careful evasion’ anyway.
- anotherblackhat 5 Apr 2012 5:02 UTC
  −3 points
  Parent
  
  So, you think he’s not SC but wanted McGonagall and Snape to think he was? In that case, why carefully evade the question rather than just lie?
  
  Some people believe actions carry more moral weight than consequences. To such a person, a lie of omission is a lesser crime than a bald faced one. They might, for example, respond “only a fool would say yea or nay” rather than actually answering a question, or quote some obscure piece of text and hope that you drew the wrong conclusion from it.
  - pedanterrific 5 Apr 2012 6:03 UTC
    4 points
    Parent
    
    Some people believe actions carry more moral weight than consequences.
    
    I’m struggling to imagine how the Dumbledore we’ve seen in recent chapters could be such a person.