The victory of free will over determinism in the Harry Potter novel series

Abstract

One criterion of a good text is that it provides several opportunities for interpretation. In case of a good children’s novel it gives a possibility for the foundation of competent and interpretative, critical thinking, which is very important for the children not only during their studies, but later, in their adult life as well. As the school of philosophy for children initiated by Matthew Lipman formulates it: teach the children think philosophically. Although it does not specifically presume raising philosophical problems in a lesson at school, Harry Potter happens to give a handle for that as well.

In my study I would like to present a philosophical question with the analysis of the novel from this point of view: with the comparison of the theories of determinism and free will. Determinism denies the possibility of decision based on free will, emphasising that everything that happens is foreshadowed by the previous circumstances, in case of human beings the effects on them. The followers of free will question this approach, which excludes the existence of responsibility on the basis of their opinion, saying if everything happens unintentionally and is predetermined, then we cannot be responsible for our actions.

These two conflicting opinions appear in the Harry Potter novel series in multifaceted, complex layeredness, at the same time they are expressed amusingly, understandably for the child’s development and imagination. It is perfectly suitable for the foundation of „philosophical” thinking.