The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers

Nicodemus wants to be God

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jonas:

--- Quote from: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on November 29, 2017, 08:41:46 PM ---I'd say moral sense rather than moral compass; he does lean an awful lot on what he feels to be right rather than any particularly consistent overall set of directions.
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But.. that's why it's a compass and NOT a sense, with a sense it's always there, the compass is for when you get lost like Dresden does lol


--- Quote ---One of the things that intrigues me about the DV is it being a specified axiom of that universe that humans have far more and more significant free will than I've ever seen people have in real life.

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Not really, everyone has that potential here and there. Just like here, there people apparently don't actually use their free will all that often. But it seems to be free will in the DF, as far as using it goes, is breaking of preset patterns or choices subliminally made.(maybe i'm channeling too much Tim Robbins here lol) Though I've noticed anytime Harry's choice may spin off another reality he usually get's a stark choice.

wardenferry419:
Maybe I am getting old and set in my ways; but, I take responsibility for my actions. Harry takes responsibility for his actions. He judges himself harshly; he compares his actions with the actions of those he see as noble and good. If he finds himself lacking; then he feels guilt over not being better. Michael and Shiro were his paragons of virtue. McCoy represent what a good wizard should be. When he discovered  Eb's status as Blackstaff; Harry was angry with disappointment. It took a long time for him to reconcile the idea with the man. Now, I am not saying this is the best way to be. But, it is a method of being accountable that I can understand.

Ananda:

--- Quote from: wardenferry419 on November 29, 2017, 11:19:22 PM ---Maybe I am getting old and set in my ways; but, I take responsibility for my actions. Harry takes responsibility for his actions. He judges himself harshly; he compares his actions with the actions of those he see as noble and good. If he finds himself lacking; then he feels guilt over not being better. Michael and Shiro were his paragons of virtue. McCoy represent what a good wizard should be. When he discovered  Eb's status as Blackstaff; Harry was angry with disappointment. It took a long time for him to reconcile the idea with the man. Now, I am not saying this is the best way to be. But, it is a method of being accountable that I can understand.

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Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed reading it.

That said, for me, I find Dresden’s internal dialogue to often be too rigid and even overly simplistic. His ideals about women are absurd. His thinking tends to run too much toward black and white. Though, he has at least shown through actions that he can be more flexible as the series progresses.

I grew tired of his guilt stuff really quickly. The way he applied it seemed to put himself above others in a way. Let me give you an example.

His guilt about Susan becoming a vampirette was all focused on himself. She was an independent person who made her own decisions. She chose to go to the fest even after he warned her. She put a lot of effort into making that choice. It was hers. Yet Dresden took all agency from her by taking all the blame. He needed to get over himself.

Arjan:
Harry started out pretty immature, it creates space for character development. It is even worse if you read his flashbacks in Ghost Story.

The guilt thing is probably something he and Ebenezar cultivated to counter his inner warlock. It is an over reaction but quite understandable given the circumstances. Breaking the laws has always consequences even if the wardens don’t get you in the end.

It is the reason he refuses to use his magic for personal comfort.

From that point of view it is actually good writing. Harry starts as a messed up person with good intentions but all kinds of bad impulses .

wardenferry419:
If Harry's internal thoughts seem rigid and overly simplistic; then, it may because his thoughts are alot of guy's thoughts. I know my thoughts are often the same way. I tend to tunnel-vision over broadband. I can identify with his method of thinking.

Yes, Susan is an individual capable of making her own decisions. But, they were decisions lacking the fullest possible understanding of what she was walking into. Susan was given some information; hence, her basket of goodies. But,not enough understanding to secure her safety. And, that is where Harry holds himself responsible and carries his guilt. Harry's knowledge of the supernatural is marginal compared with older wizards; but, it is far greater than what normals understand.

And, he did hold Susan very accountable for keeping Maggie's existence a secret from him.

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