Abstract of Paper to be Presented at Accio 2008

'The Life and Lies of Albus Dumbledore': The Ethics of Information Sharing and Concealment in the Harry Potter Novels

Alicia Willson-Metzger

Albus Dumbledore unquestionably remains one of the most-beloved characters in the Harry Potter canon—father figure, wizard extraordinaire, a man venerated by all, seemingly, aside from Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Yet, it can be argued that Dumbledore is also one of the most morally ambiguous characters in the series, an ambiguity most obviously exhibited in his refusal to share essential information with his followers. This paper will explore both the ethical ramifications of Dumbledore's withholding of information from Harry, as well as the philosophical and ethical boundaries within which Dumbledore operates.