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Originally Posted by Alfirin
But then we get to Saruman's tendency towards technology and mechanization. In and of themselves, tecnology is not neccecarily considered a bad thing in ME cosmology (if it was, Aule would have to be accounted among the bad guys). But choosing tech OVER nature clearly is.
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It's interesting that you note this, because Saruman was originally a Maia of Aule, as was Sauron, and Aule did step over the line in creating the Dwarves.
There's also this:
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Then Manwe and Yavanna parted for that time, and Yavanna returned to Aule; and he was in his smithy, pouring molten metal into a mould. 'Eru is bountiful,' she said. 'Now let thy children beware! For there shall walk a power in the forests whose wrath they will arouse at their peril.'
'Nonetheless they will have need of wood,' said Aule, and he went on with his smith-work.
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Aule is ever the pragmatist, recognising that nature is there to be used, but the key difference is where he says:
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they shall use all that they find in Arda: though not, by the purpose of Eru, without respect or without gratitude
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Likelihood is that Saruman would have known Sauron personally before the latter turned to Melkor; they may even have worked on projects together during the initial work in Arda. A possible reason for Saruman/Curumo's choosing is that someone with this kind of knowledge of Sauron might be well-positioned to oppose him.
Aule does get a raw deal with his Maiar though, doesn't he? If I were one I'd be worried: "I'm next to be the evil guy, aren't I?"