Session Information
HPEF - Azkatraz 2009
Click here to go to the previous page
Harry Potter & the Unforgivable Curses
Track : Monday, July 20, 2009
Program Code: 1030
Date: Monday, July 20, 2009
Time: 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM  EST
Location: Cyril Magnin II (112)
SPEAKER :
Aaron Schwabach
Description
This presentation attempts to examine the problems with the wizarding word's legal system by focusing on one particular problem: the Unforgivable Curses, three spells whose use on humans is punishable by life imprisonment. There are inconsistencies both in the application of the law and in the selection of certain curses as Unforgivable. The choice to outlaw these three spells, and not others that may be even worse, reflects something about the values of both Harry's world and ours. The article explores the moral assumptions underlying this choice, examining the legal treatment of these spells under the Ministry's regime as well as under relevant British (muggle) and international law.