The Dresden Files > DF Spoilers
Black Magic, Addiction, and Becoming a Warlock
vultur:
IMO, the White Council is subtly but significantly wrong about the whole thing.
Now, there's pretty clear evidence that doing actual black magic* really does change you. But the effect doesn't seem to be as dramatic in practice as characters talk about it being. We really rarely see Harry's internal monologue/thoughts showing signs of it (when he considers burning down Sells' house in SF is a clear case, and there's a good argument to be made for his rage in GP when he burns down Bianca's party without really thinking about the vampires' victims... but after book 3 we really don't see much evidence of it, and Harry's moral struggles are focused on Lasciel's coin and later the Winter Mantle).
And we hear in TC about how old wizards get set in their ways. It seems very plausible to me that this is actually the same effect as the black magic corruption, for the same reason - using magic creates a much more direct connection between intent/will and results than doing the same thing by mundane means, so it forms habits much more dramatically.
And it's not at all clear to me that Cowl, Kumori, etc are "corrupted" in the same sense that someone like Victor Sells or the FBI Hexenwolves were. Cowl doesn't seem to be doing the "downward spiral" into basic urges, personal vendetta violence and lust, etc. - he continues to act for a large-scale goal. His methods are clearly evil, and his goal likely is, too - but that doesn't mean he was warped to it by black magic. Cowl seems to be a rational, planning villain, not a ranting maniac like the "corruption" effect seems to create.
I think it's only vaguely analogous to addiction, however, not the same mechanic.
*not necessarily the same as what the Wardens will execute you for - the Council's Laws seem to be based on what is corrupting, but imperfect human understanding and political factors play a role...
Warbird:
ETA: Sorry this kind of rambles, it tough to write all this out while I'm having to get up ever few mins to deal with a fussy baby.
Interesting topic. Personally, I having Black Magic create some sort of actual corruption was a mistake storywise. From what I remember, the books only make this point with respect to the Blackstaff (and I think this was a poor story choice). I kind of hope later books fix this (either make it like Dumbo's feather or it actually blanks the person using it like it creates emotional/mental distance from the act)
From other places in the books, it did seem like using magic in violation of the laws only corrupted because of its addictive nature. Not necessarily like drug addiction, but more being addicted to these quick fixes/easy increases in power.
I feel the proof here is with Molly. She performed what the books deemed black magic to try and help fix her friends. This was obviously taking the easy way and not really helping them. Subsequently (after becoming Harry's student) one of her impulses is now to use mind magic to solve other problems. And while it might work, the White Counsel has a pretty good point about why messing with people's heads in a permanent fashion is bad. Harry is also guilty of this. He generally resorts to brute forcing his way through problems (typically with fire). Is this because he used magic to kill Justin or is it simply the nature of Wizards to solve things in terms of the type of power they have? I'm not sure there's a clear answer here but it does tie into my next paragraph.
So getting back to Molly, I think the reason she could be redeemed with others, like Victor Sales, could not is pretty simply. Molly thought she was helping. She did what she did out of good intentions. As such, when it was pointed out to her what she actually was doing, she stopped. Harry coached her in better, less bad uses of her powers and so since she was still open to change, she did. Others like Victor were only interested in getting power. So, the power became an addiction. They always needed more. Which is why they crossed the line so many times. They didn't care what they were doing, as long as they felt strong. This types of people obviously can't be saved. That said, I think the "corruption" aspect would then have little to do with magic itself and more to do with the user's personality. It's like blaming the alcohol for the making an alcoholic when it's underlying issues with the person that causes the problem (other people can drink fine without being "corrupted").
So, tldr, I think the "corruption" aspect of dark magic is silly and the real issue is the people using it (and their underlying issues/reasons for using magic) which explains why some can be redeemed and others can't.
Mira:
--- Quote ---From other places in the books, it did seem like using magic in violation of the laws only corrupted because of its addictive nature. Not necessarily like drug addiction, but more being addicted to these quick fixes/easy increases in power.
--- End quote ---
This is part of what I am trying to get at.. However those easy fixes etc, some are more prone to it
than others. Addiction is complicated, some can drink alcohol and never feel they need it to cope with life etc. In other words they enjoy a glass of wine or a drink, but they don't feel they need it to cope with life, in most cases these people do not become alcoholics. Then there are the changes to the brain etc and it becomes a physical addiction as well.
Harry has danced on the edge of black magic for years, but doesn't seem to get addicted... Molly on the other hand shows little qualms about reaching for it, she continues to be in danger. The Korean Kid was so far over the cliff that there was no retrieving him. And it doesn't just happen to the young and ignorant, we have example of older established wizards going warlock.
Wizard Sibelis:
The addiction thing though... we know natural drugs actually weaken the will and allow possessions from spiritual beings... if Black Magic is so addictive it automatically weakens said willpower derived protection then, yea? I've always considered the actual addiction part of why they get possessed/exchanged by inhuman beings. So it would likely be a double whammy, they get weakened in subtle ways and open a way for something to get in at that weakness.
Mira:
--- Quote from: Wizard Sibelis on July 13, 2018, 04:02:12 PM ---The addiction thing though... we know natural drugs actually weaken the will and allow possessions from spiritual beings... if Black Magic is so addictive it automatically weakens said willpower derived protection then, yea? I've always considered the actual addiction part of why they get possessed/exchanged by inhuman beings. So it would likely be a double whammy, they get weakened in subtle ways and open a way for something to get in at that weakness.
--- End quote ---
There is a difference in who uses it, it is like who get a "high" off of either drugs or alcohol and are more prone to get addicted than those who either feel nothing or really dislike the effects on themselves, so less likely.. Maybe in the case of Black magic it is the power rush a wizard gets from using it? Harry describes the sense he gets from it as "nasty greasy feel," he also gets off of someone who uses it, not very pleasant... I wonder if a warlock feels or senses something different?
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