A Galaxy-Wide Ethical Debate: The Jedi Order and the Ideals of Stoicism

Analyzing Ideology and Narratology in Film Series, Sequels, and Trilogies

Introduction

Few films in the history of cinema have achieved what Star Wars has achieved, becoming a legend by uniting different generations and bringing people living in different geographies of the world to a common denominator like this almost fifty-year-old series. There are various answers to the question of where this appeal of Star Wars stems from. Some might say that it is because of its ideology that glorifies democracy against totalitarian regimes, some admire the series because it is a story about family, love and friendship, some enjoy watching the never-ending struggle between good and evil, some satisfy their rebellious spirit by supporting the rebels, some find something about Christianity, and some are interested in the mystery and allure of the Force. In addition, the whole series can be analyzed from many different perspectives: capitalism, imperialism, Marxism, feminism, sociology, psychology and philosophy. Not only action and adventure, but also comedy, romance and even some drama. The timeless magic of Star Wars is probably due to its openness to multiple readings and its ability to capture audiences in completely different ways. Star Wars has created a story world where everyone can find something for themselves, and this is one of the main reasons why it has been a phenomenon for half a century.

One of the most undecided issues in the Star Wars franchise is the choice between the light and the dark side. Characters like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo or Obi-Wan Kenobi have many fans, as do Darth Vader and Kylo Ren, and the choice between Jedi or Sith may not be as easy as it seems. Representing the light and dark sides of the Force, they are positioned as the representatives of good and evil, with thick lines drawn between them: the Jedi, who protect order, justice and peace, versus the Sith, who are on the side of war, destruction and violence. But is such a sharp dichotomy, which seems to belong to the world of fairy tales, really possible in the Star Wars universe? Could there be some drawbacks to characterizing the Jedi order, which failed to prevent a galaxy-wide war and played a role in many acts of violence, as the ‘keepers of peace in the galaxy’?

As Star Wars fans will agree, the Jedi order is made up of the wisest, most trustworthy, bravest, and most perfect beings in the galaxy. That’s why becoming a Jedi is not for everyone. To begin with, one must have enough midi-chlorians in their cells, microorganisms that allow them to connect with the Force. This is followed by a long training process that requires discipline and dedication. Finally, a person who wants to become a Jedi must also give up dreams of marriage and having children. All this process, which requires sacrifice and patience, is only for the protection of the galaxy; Jedi know that there is no glory, fame or riches at the end of this arduous path and they do not want any of these things. Because of all these characteristics, the life of a Jedi is sometimes compared to that of a monk. According to some opinions, the codes of the Jedi order are explained based on Stoic philosophy.

The Stoic School, one of the most important schools of the Hellenistic period, argues that the key to happiness is ‘living in accordance with Nature’. The nature referred to here has a dual meaning, referring to universal nature and individual nature. In other words, in Stoicism, ‘living in accordance with nature’ refers to both being in harmony with the universal order and living in harmony with one’s own inner nature. Accordingly, the two concepts complement each other and constitute the cornerstones of the Stoic philosophy of life.