[littlemanpoet]

Originally Posted by Nogrod

As I can see the whole of this as a nice exercise, I would really like to hear the point of this all.

Sheer curiosity. Oh, you wanted something more than that? Hmmm..... well, how about this: I just really wanted to get a handle on how certain evil Maiar would compare in terms of spiritual hierarchy to, say, Blue Istari, and the whole thing sort of snowballed. Oh. Well, that's just another way of saying "sheer curiosity". Well, that's the point of it I guess. Sorry to disappoint.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

In the tradition of scholastics from the middle-ages, it is downright understandable to search for the "order of creation", where every being had its place in the order of things, created by the supreme craftsman.

Now you know how theology got its start.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

But would Tolkien had such a thomistic view of the world? (He was catholic, to be sure, but anyway.)

You just answered your own question. Yes.

Originally Posted by Nogrod

And how can you compare individuals with "races" or "subcultures", and put them in the same line?

The wording of your question seems to presume that you can't. I'm not having a problem with it. Care to describe what you think can't be done about it?

Originally Posted by Orcrist Wielder

Thank you littlemanpoet for at least putting our brethren on the list, but i still have to ask Where are the other dwarves?????

I hope that my latest edits satisfy your request a little bit?

Originally Posted by obloquy

Why does everyone have such a boner for the Witch-King?

I've dropped the Witch-King a certain degree, because it occurred to me that much of the Witch-King's seeming height of power at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields was due to the power and will of Sauron so focused upon said battle. Nevertheless, the ring the Witch-King wears IS who the Witch-King is, and therefore must be understood as central to his power, which is (ahem) more than 'skinny faced'. So above Húrin he goes until you can persuade me otherwise, or else start your own list (if you like) as I've suggested already to others....

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

I am curious as to why the Wargs in general are above the dwarves.

Point taken. I've lowered them, and added Ravens and Crows to a (I suppose) reasonable place.

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

You know, I really agree with Child and Mr. U and SpM that this kind of thing seems to run counter to Tolkien's use of Frodo, but isn't it fun?

Now you're talking.

Originally Posted by Bb

I wonder if we could also do a parallel list about Spiritual properties, a hierarchy of the most true. By how much would it differ from this one?

Originally Posted by Rimbaud

Why not go the whole hog and couch the debate in more sensible terms; ie 'who could whup whom?'

These last two quotes are akin, so I shall answer them together. This more or less started as a "who could whup whom", but as more information came forward it became obvious that spiritual power, cultural strength, and other considerations are at least as important as battle prowess.

And here is the Updated List.