Jedi Philosophy

[Luke Skywalker]

Thhis is a forum where we can discuss what the prevailing philosophy for Jedi should be. Where do we draw the line? Just because we can do something within the Force, should we do it? At what point does someone begin the descent to the darkside? These are just a few of the topics that will be open for discussion.

[Luke Skywalker]

Can a Jedi strike the first blow and not do it aggressively? Basically, can a Jedi start a fight and still be aligned with the light side of the Force? Give an example.

[Gert Yonsz-Kenobi]

I think it depends on the situation and why you are doing what you are doing. If you kill someone who has already surrendered or is defenseless in comparison to you, then you're likely falling to the dark side. If you kill someone to save the lives of others or even yourself, that's not the dark side even if the way you do it might be questioned by some.

[Luke Skywalker]

Great post. Intent has almost everything to do with it. But so does method. Can you attack/respond without using the Force, thereby bypassing the moral problem of using the Force for aggression?

[Gert Yonsz-Kenobi]

It may or may not matter. Obviously certain powers by their very nature are dark side but almost any light side power could be used for the dark side.

A healer who can manipulate the Force to heal could also use it to harm. Now arbitrarily this would automatically be considered dark side behavior BUT if that harm was done in self defense or especially in the defense of others, is it really dark side?

If a raging sith attacks a restaurant full of civilians and children, potentially murdering all of them or do you wait until the sith attacks you? The answer is pretty obvious to me.

The force is for defense but defense of others is just as valid and more importantly, often the best defense is a good offense.

Could you avoid using the force to avoid the moral quandary.... perhaps but if your actions were evil in intent, not using the force won't change the fact that you are skirting the dark side.

[Inara Jinn]

If one acts out of concern for others and their motivation is pure of heart, and calm, then they are acting honorably. To defend others you may have to strike first but all other options should be exhausted first. Such as diplomacy. Strike without anger, or hate in your heart, but with love and compassion, knowing that your opponent is caught in the suffering of the dark side.

[Luke Skywalker]

I actually agree with both of you, I'm just playing devil's advocate to get a discussion going.

The situation I am looking at is where you "believe" there is going to be some sort of attack by an individual. There may not actually be an attack. Do you wsit for the actual strike, or can you make a pre-emtive strike and not be tempted by the dark side?

[Mara Jade Skywalker]

In answer to the original question: I say yes. Merely striking first does not automatically put one on a course for the dark side. The Rebels launched the attack on the Death Star "first", did that start Luke on an immediate path to the dark side for just being the Force sensitive pilot whose torpedo hit its mark? Of course, one could argue that the Rebellion was justified after Alderaan was destroyed by Governor Tarkin, but the Rebels had the plans for that battle station before Alderaan was destroyed, and I'm sure it wasn't just so they could compare architectural preferences.

I have never believed a Jedi should use their powers for trivial things; such as using the Force to open a door when his hand his inches from the door release panel. Overuse of the Force clouds your mind with delusions of grandeur and the idea that "I can do anything I want because I can tap into the Force." That IS the path to the dark side.

I could also bring up my own background. I was raised and trained by the Dark Lord of the Sith and yet somehow I never fell to the dark side...and let me tell you, I often did strike first. But I was not serving my own wants and desires. When a Jedi becomes selfish, ignoring the greater good of the galaxy for his own personal agendas and desires, he is falling from the light.

[Luke Skywalker]

Excellent examples, and thought provoking.

[Gert Yonsz-Kenobi]

As a Force user, you should already know if the threat is 'real' and 'imminent' or not. now, me personally, I'm a big fan of better safe than sorry but that could be my Corellian up bringing or that could just be letting people go has bit me in the shebs one too many times. Sometimes in order to keep things under control, you can't just stand there observing the situation while other people act, in fact, arguably, allowing other people come to harm while you do nothing is just as likely to lead to the dark side as acting in anger is.