The Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy E-Book

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Serie: The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 584

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Does it take faith to be a Jedi? Are droids capable of thought? Should Jar Jar Binks be held responsible for the rise of the Empire? Presenting entirely new essays, no aspect of the myth and magic of George Lucas’s creation is left philosophically unexamined in The Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy.

• The editors of the original Star Wars and Philosophy strike back in this Ultimate volume that encompasses the complete Star Wars universe
• Presents the most far-reaching examination of the philosophy behind Star Wars – includes coverage of the entire film catalogue to date as well as the Expanded Universe of novels, comics, television series, games and toys
• Provides serious explorations into the deeper meaning of George Lucas’s philosophically rich creation
• Topics explored include the moral code of bounty-hunter favourite Boba Fett, Stoicism and the Jedi Order, the nature of the Dark Side, Anakin and Achilles in a nihilism face-off, feminism and being chained to a giant slug, cloning, de-extinction, fatherhood, Wookiees, loyalty, betrayal, guardians, republics, tyrants, terrorism, civic duty, friendship, family, and more!

Leseprobe

The Blackwell Philosophy and Pop Culture Series Series editor William Irwin

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, and a healthy helping of popular culture clears the cobwebs from Kant. Philosophy has had a public relations problem for a few centuries now. This series aims to change that, showing that philosophy is relevant to your life – and not just for answering the big questions like “To be or not to be?” but for answering the little questions: “To watch or not to watch South Park?” Thinking deeply about TV, movies, and music doesn't make you a “complete idiot.” In fact, it might make you a philosopher, someone who believes the unexamined life is not worth living and the unexamined cartoon is not worth watching.

Already published in the series:

24 and Philosophy: The World According to Jack

Edited by Jennifer Hart Weed, Richard Brian Davis, and Ronald Weed

30 Rock and Philosophy: We Want to Go to There

Edited by J. Jeremy Wisnewski

Alice in Wonderland and Philosophy: Curiouser and Curiouser

Edited by Richard Brian Davis

Arrested Development and Philosophy: They've Made a Huge Mistake

Edited by Kristopher Phillips and J. Jeremy Wisnewski

Avatar and Philosophy: Learning to See

Edited by George A. Dunn

The Avengers and Philosophy: Earth's Mightiest Thinkers

Edited by Mark D. White

Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul

Edited by Mark D. White and Robert Arp

Battlestar Galactica and Philosophy: Knowledge Here Begins Out There

Edited by Jason T. Eberl

The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy: Rock, Paper, Scissors, Aristotle, Locke

Edited by Dean Kowalski

The Big Lebowski and Philosophy: Keeping Your Mind Limber with Abiding Wisdom

Edited by Peter S. Fosl

BioShock and Philosophy: Irrational Game, Rational Book

Edited by Luke Cuddy

Black Sabbath and Philosophy: Mastering Reality

Edited by William Irwin

The Daily Show and Philosophy: Moments of Zen in the Art of Fake News

Edited by Jason Holt

Downton Abbey and Philosophy: The Truth Is Neither Here nor There

Edited by Mark D. White

Dungeons & Dragons and Philosophy: Read and Gain Advantage on All Wisdom Checks

Edited by Christopher Robichaud

Ender's Game and Philosophy: The Logic Gate is

Down

Edited by Kevin S. Decker

Family Guy and Philosophy: A Cure for the Petarded

Edited by J. Jeremy Wisnewski

Final Fantasy and Philosophy: The Ultimate Walkthrough

Edited by Jason P. Blahuta and Michel S. Beaulieu

Game of Thrones and Philosophy: Logic Cuts Deeper Than Swords

Edited by Henry Jacoby

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and Philosophy: Everything Is Fire

Edited by Eric Bronson

Green Lantern and Philosophy: No Evil Shall Escape This Book

Edited by Jane Dryden and Mark D. White

Heroes and Philosophy: Buy the Book, Save the World

Edited by David Kyle Johnson

The Hobbit and Philosophy: For When You've Lost Your Dwarves, Your Wizard, and Your Way

Edited by Gregory Bassham and Eric Bronson

House and Philosophy: Everybody Lies

Edited by Henry Jacoby

The Hunger Games and Philosophy: A Critique of Pure Treason

Edited by George Dunn and Nicolas Michaud

Inception and Philosophy: Because It's Never Just a Dream

Edited by David Johnson

Iron Man and Philosophy: Facing the Stark Reality

Edited by Mark D. White

Lost and Philosophy: The Island Has Its Reasons

Edited by Sharon M. Kaye

Mad Men and Philosophy: Nothing Is as It Seems

Edited by James South and Rod Carveth

Metallica and Philosophy: A Crash Course in Brain Surgery

Edited by William Irwin

The Office and Philosophy: Scenes from the Unfinished Life

Edited by J. Jeremy Wisnewski

Sons of Anarchy and Philosophy: Brains Before Bullets

Edited by George A. Dunn and Jason T. Eberl

South Park and Philosophy: You Know, I Learned Something Today

Edited by Robert Arp

Spider-Man and Philosophy: The Web of Inquiry

Edited by Jonathan Sanford

Superman and Philosophy: What Would the Man of Steel Do?

Edited by Mark D. White

Supernatural and Philosophy: Metaphysics and Monsters ... for Idjits

Edited by Galen Foresman

Terminator and Philosophy: I'll Be Back, Therefore I Am

Edited by Richard Brown and Kevin Decker

True Blood and Philosophy: We Wanna Think Bad Things with You

Edited by George Dunn and Rebecca Housel

Twilight and Philosophy: Vampires, Vegetarians, and the Pursuit of Immortality

Edited by Rebecca Housel and J. Jeremy Wisnewski

The Ultimate Daily Show and Philosophy: More Moments of Zen, More Moments of Indecision Theory

Edited by Jason Holt

The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy: Hogwarts for Muggles

Edited by Gregory Bassham

The Ultimate Lost and Philosophy: Think Together, Die Alone

Edited by Sharon Kaye

The Ultimate South Park and Philosophy: Respect My Philosophah!

Edited by Robert Arp and Kevin S. Decker

The Ultimate Star Wars and Philosophy: You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned

Edited by Jason T. Eberl and Kevin S. Decker

Veronica Mars and Philosophy

Edited by George A. Dunn

The Walking Dead and Philosophy: Shotgun. Machete. Reason.

Edited by Christopher Robichaud

Watchmen and Philosophy: A Rorschach Test

Edited by Mark D. White

X-Men and Philosophy: Astonishing Insight and Uncanny Argument in the Mutant X-Verse

Edited by Rebecca Housel and J. Jeremy Wisnewski

THE ULTIMATE STAR WARS AND PHILOSOPHY

YOU MUST UNLEARN WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Edited by

Jason T. Eberl and Kevin S. Decker

This edition first published 2016 © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

Registered OfficeJohn Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK

Editorial Offices350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148-5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

 The ultimate Star Wars and philosophy : you must unlearn what you have learned / Edited by Jason T. Eberl and Kevin S. Decker.

 pages cm – (Blackwell philosophy and popculture series)  Includes index.  ISBN 978-1-119-03806-1 (pbk.)  1. Star Wars films. 2. Philosophy in motion pictures. 3. Philosophy in literature. I. Eberl, Jason T., editor. II. Decker, Kevin S., editor. III. Series: Blackwell philosophy and popculture series.

 PN1995.9.S695U46 2015

 791.43′75–dc23

2015012933

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments: Legacy of the Force

Introduction: “The Circle Is Now Complete”

Episode I: The Philosophical Menace

Chapter 1: The Platonic Paradox of Darth Plagueis: How Could a Sith Lord Be Wise?

Respect for the Difference between Knowledge and Wisdom

“Unlimited Power!”

Darth Plagueis the Wise

The Wisdom of Seeking a Life of Great Significance

The Force beyond Light and Dark

Notes

Chapter 2: “You Are Asking Me to Be Rational”: Stoic Philosophy and the Jedi Order

Master of the Stoic Arts

Unlimited Power?

“Fear Is the Path to the Dark Side”

“From My Point of View, the Jedi Are Evil!”

“You Underestimate My Power!”

Notes

Chapter 3: The Jedi Knights of Faith: Anakin, Luke, and Søren (Kierkegaard)

“I Can't Kill My Own Father”

“Mostly Because of My Father, I Guess”

“Something Is Out of Place!”

“I Find Your Lack of Faith Disturbing”

“I Take Orders from Just One Person: Me!”

“It's a Trap!”

“That's Impossible!”

Bringing Balance to the Force

Notes

Chapter 4: Anakin and Achilles: Scars of Nihilism

“[Not So] Hard to See, the Dark Side Is”

“The Dark Side Is a Pathway to Many Abilities Some Consider to Be

Unnatural

”

Nihilism –

It's a Trap!

“Help Me Take This Mask Off”

Notes

Chapter 5: Dark Times: The End of the Republic and the Beginning of Chinese Philosophy

Heaven's Mandate Is Not Constant

K'Kruhk's Story

Dass Jennir's Story

Kai Hudorra's Story

Notes

Episode II: Attack of the Morals

Chapter 6: Chasing Kevin Smith: Was It Immoral for the Rebel Alliance to Destroy Death Star II?

Scum and Villainy: The Anatomy of a Terrorist Act

Innocent Voices Crying Out in Terror: From Madrid to the Death Star

Doubling Their Efforts: Were the Death Star Workers Innocent?

“They're Gonna Bust Up Vader's Hood” … for a Proportionate Reason?

The Good Guys Lens

Notes

Chapter 7: The Ballad of Boba Fett: Mercenary Agency and Amoralism in War

Darker Than the Dark Side

Daddy Issues, Decapitation, and the Family Business

Moral Manager or Moral Mangler?

Mercenary Motivation and Ethical Action

Gray Areas: Fett and Amoralism

Notes

Chapter 8: How Guilty Is Jar Jar Binks?

“Mesa Cause One, Two-y Little Bitty Axadentes”

Oopsies Daisies, Meesa Killed Billions. Whoopsie!

Kant Decide

(In)Sidious Motives

Notes

Chapter 9: “Know the Dark Side”: A Theodicy of the Force

“Now I Shall Show You the True Nature of the Force”

“I Will Be the Most Powerful Jedi Ever!”

“You Were My Brother, Anakin! I Loved You!”

“If the Force Is Life, How Can There Be Life without the Force?”

Notes

Episode III: Revenge of the Alliance

Chapter 10: “Like My Father before Me”: Loss and Redemption of Fatherhood in

Star Wars

Early Attachment

Failed Detachment

Choosing a Father

Vader's Deformed Fatherhood

Savior by Sacrifice

A Lesson on Love

Notes

Chapter 11: The Friends of a Jedi: Friendship, Family, and Civic Duty in a Galaxy at War

Pals over Politics: Motivations of a Hero

Luke Skywalker and Other Mythic Heroes

Leaving Han Solo in the Freezer

Your Friends or Your Galaxy?

Notes

Chapter 12: Light Side, Dark Side, and Switching Sides: Loyalty and Betrayal in

Star Wars

Betrayed by a Droid

The Loyalty of the Sith

Loyal Soldiers of the Empire

The Solo House Divided against Itself

Betrayal at Bespin; or, Why Lando Was Right

“So Be It … Jedi!”

Notes

Chapter 13: Guardians and Tyrants in the Republics of

Star Wars

and Plato

Dysfunctional Democracy

Tyranus Rex

Guardians of Their Galaxy

Jedi and Present-Day Guardians

Lightsaber-Wielding Philosophers

Notes

Episode IV: A New Hermeneutic

Chapter 14: Pregnant Padmé and Slave Leia:

Star Wars'

Female Role Models

“I Am Not a Committee!”

“The Force Is Strong with This One”

“Aren't You a Little Short for a Stormtrooper?”

“You Have Your Moments – Not Many of Them – but You Do Have Them”

Notes

Chapter 15: Docile Bodies and a Viscous Force: Fear of the Flesh in

Return of the Jedi

“Me Chaade su Goodie”

“Oh, I Can't Bear to Watch!”

A “Slimy Piece of Worm-Ridden Filth”

“Soon You Will Learn to Appreciate Me”

Notes

Chapter 16: Of Battle Droids and Zillo Beasts: Moral Status in the

Star Wars

Galaxy

“Where Are You Taking This …

Thing

?”

“We Cannot Allow the Destruction of an Innocent Life Form”

“Besides Being the Last of Its Kind, This Creature May Be Intelligent”

“I Applaud Your Moral Stance, Doctor. Principle Is in Short Supply”

Notes

Episode V: Metaphysics Strikes Back

Chapter 17: Why the Force Must Have a Dark Side

Evil Sure Seems Pretty Damn Real Here on Alderaan

“Here Goes Nothing”

“I've Got a Very Bad Feeling about This”

Empirical Reality Strikes Back

Bringing Balance to the Force

Notes

Chapter 18: What Is It Like to Be a Jedi? A Life in the Force

“Life Creates It, Makes It Grow”

“You Must Unlearn What You Have Learned”

“You Must Feel the Force Flowing through You”

“A Jedi's Strength Flows from the Force”

“A Certain [Bodily] Point of View”

“The Way of the Force”

“Be Mindful of the Living Force”

Notes

Chapter 19: “Never Tell Me the Odds”: An Inquiry Concerning Jedi Understanding

A Long Time Ago, in a City-State Far, Far Away

Hume Shot First

The Jedi as Scientist

Shut Up, Threepio!

Always in Motion Is the Truth

Notes

Episode VI: Return of the Non-Human

Chapter 20: Mindless Philosophers and Overweight Globs of Grease: Are Droids Capable of Thought?

“We Seem to Be Made to Suffer. It's Our Lot in Life”

“Do You Speak Bocce?”

“He's Quite Clever, You Know, for a Human Being”

Dignity for Droids

Notes

Chapter 21: Can Chewie Speak? Wittgenstein and the Philosophy of Language

Does “Rrwwwgg” Count as Speaking?

Wrenches and Hydrospanners: Meaning through Use

How to Describe a Disturbance in the Force

Learning the

Lingua Galactica

“Let the Wookiee Win”

Notes

Chapter 22: Can the Zillo Beast Strike Back? Cloning, De-extinction, and the Species Problem

How De-extinct Species Strike Back

The Species Problem: Biology's Phantom Menace

If Once a Species Starts Down the Dark Path …

A New Hope for Extinct Species?

Notes

Episode VII: The Fandom Awakens

Chapter 23: “In That Time …” in a Galaxy Far, Far Away: Epic Myth-Understandings and Myth-Appropriation in

Star Wars

Myth: It's More than Hokey Religions and Ancient Weapons, Han

Joseph Campbell: “Man of the Monomyth”

Lucas's Campbell Soupçon

“Great, Kid! Don't Get Cocky!”

“And You Said It Was Pretty Here!”

A Final Word

Notes

Chapter 24:

Star Wars

, Emotions, and the Paradox of Fiction

“You Know, I Did Feel Something”

“Be Mindful of Your Thoughts”

“You're Imagining Things”

“Luke, Trust Your Feelings”

“It's Like Something out of a Dream”

“There. You See, Lord Vader. She Can Be Reasonable”

Notes

Chapter 25: The Mind of Blue Snaggletooth: The Intentional Stance, Vintage

Star Wars

Action Figures, and the Origins of Religion

Introspection in Jabba's Palace

Blue Snaggletooth

Designed for Action

Blue Snaggletooth Says, “A Parsec Is a Unit of Distance, Not Time”

But Action Figures Don't Have Thoughts

Notes

Chapter 26: Gospel, Gossip, and Ghent: How Should We Understand the New

Star Wars

?

The Mechanics of Canon in the

Star Wars

Universe

Canon and the Erasure of Ghent

Notes

Contributors: Troopers of the 501st Legion

Index

EULA

Guide

Cover

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AcknowledgmentsLegacy of the Force

The Star Wars saga has inspired us to explore questions of metaphysics, morality, politics, and the seven forms of lightsaber combat, from our earliest years as younglings, through our apprenticeship as padawan philosophers, to becoming Socratic Knights and, perhaps one day, Masters of Reason – and hopefully not Dark Lords of any sort! For this tremendous influence on our intellectual formation, we owe an incalculable debt of gratitude to Grand Master George Lucas and all of his creative collaborators, as well as the authors and artists who've expanded the saga from the Dawn of the Jedi more than 36,000 years before the Battle of Yavin (BBY) through the continuing Legacy of the Skywalker family over 130 years after the Battle of Yavin (ABY).

They say it takes an Ewok village to destroy a Death Star, but it takes much more to assemble a book like this. First of all, this book wouldn't exist without the contributions of the authors, and we recommend that their wisdom should be preserved in a Holocron for future generations. Tackling a Death Star also requires leadership of the likes of Admiral Ackbar or General Crix Madine. In our case, we benefited extensively from the experience of editorial Grand Moff Bill Irwin. It's also essential to have some Bothan spies who can smuggle out the Death Star plans. For this project, we depended on the “insiders” at John Wiley & Sons, Liam Cooper and Allison Kostka, to guide us to our target.

Our widows to Star Wars, Suzanne and Jennifer, have patiently endured years of our debating the taxation of trade routes in the Outer Rim territories, the romantic wooing skills of future Sith Lords, what sort of crystal powers a purple lightsaber, why AT-ATs don't explode when they're standing but do after they're brought down, and whether the Sarlaac looks better with or without its beak. Finally, passing on the Star Wars legacy to our children, Kennedy, Ethan, Jack, and August, has been a source of tremendous joy for us as we engaged in mock lightsaber duels and taught them the crucial importance of remembering that HAN SHOT FIRST!

Introduction“The Circle Is Now Complete”

Star Wars has always inspired probing questions:

January 31, 1997

: Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox releases the “Special Edition” of

Episode IV: A New Hope

, igniting a firestorm of controversy over the question, “Who shot first – Han or Greedo?”

May 19, 1999

: Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox releases

Episode I: The Phantom Menace

, creating deep public concern centered on the question, “Why is Jar Jar even in this movie?”

May 19, 2005

: Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox releases

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

with its implied violent deaths of younglings and Anakin's gory immolation scene, raising the question in the minds of parents, “Is

Star Wars

still for kids?”

April 25, 2014

: StarWars.com announces that the “Expanded Universe” of

Star Wars

outside of the films, radio, and television series is noncanonical, inviting dozens of novel and comic writers to ask the question, “What did I ever do to George?”

November 28, 2014

: Lucasfilm releases the trailer for

Episode VII: The Force Awakens

, prompting aspiring Jedi Knights to question, “Does lightsaber design adhere to

any

safety standards?”

Beyond fan speculation, and sometimes fan angst, Star Wars has also inspired philosophical questions. Here are some examples (in the order Lucas intended):

Episode I

: Does having a “destiny” foretold by prophecy rob a person of freedom?

Episode II

: How does fear motivate the transformation of democracy into tyranny?

Episode III

: Is the difference between good and evil merely a “point of view”?

Episode IV

: Is wisdom truly a matter of trusting one's feelings?

Episode V

: Do we all have a “dark side” that we must confront within ourselves?

Episode VI

: Is it possible to redeem a life spent causing so much evil and suffering?

Episode VII

: Is having a beard essential to being a Jedi Master?

Clearly, much of the world has by now got Star Wars under its skin. The cultural significance of phrases like “Luke, I am your father,” “I've got a bad feeling about this,” and “Do or do not, there is no try” aren't merely pop culture clichés. They've penetrated academia, and there are hundreds of scholarly articles and books examining the deeper meaning of George Lucas's fantastical creation. One of these, Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine (Open Court, 2005), was put together by the valiant editors of the volume you're currently reading and came to Lucas's attention. This may have inspired him to ask a question of his own: “What other deep cultural connections could be made with Star Wars?” In turn, this question led him to commission a series of books relating themes in Star Wars with history, political science, and religion. In 2007, The History Channel premiered a documentary, Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed, which included interviews with scholars commenting on the saga's historical and mythological roots and connections. As much as Star Wars presents us with thoughtful examples of philosophical Stoicism (with the Jedi's calm detachment even when being chased by large gooberfish), or raises questions about the mysterious Force (is it an energy field or a bunch of midi-chlorians?) or the power of both hate and forgiveness (as the Emperor and Luke battle for Vader's soul), it also urges us to understand our own historical, religious, and political circumstances. Star Wars endures because we see ourselves in its myriad facets.

Of course, a lot has happened since the original Star Wars and Philosophy was published just before the release of Episode III, not the least of which are the excitement and enthusiasm generated by the knowledge that director J.J. Abrams is kicking off a new trilogy of films set some years after Episode VI, and that there are likely to be other films (a Boba Fett spinoff?) as well. As philosophers, the contributors of the various essays in the pages that follow can't speculate on the deeper meaning of what's yet to come. Indeed, as the German thinker G.W.F. Hegel claimed, philosophy only captures its own time in thought – so maybe this won't be the “ultimate” volume on Star Wars and philosophy after the next trilogy is over! Still, the brilliant chapters you're about to read contribute in novel ways to the critical appreciation of the Star Wars saga so far for fans and philosophers alike.

We've been able to delve into subjects that the original Star Wars and Philosophy missed, subjects prompted by not only the six feature films to date but also the Clone Wars television series and stories from the Expanded Universe. This book also includes new takes on familiar topics like the nature of the Force – does it have to have a dark side? – and whether the minds of droids are similar to our own. Feminist authors critically look at how women are portrayed (in elaborate headgear or in gold bikinis) and treated (choked by their husband or chained to a giant slug) in the films. There's even a chapter on Boba Fett, our favorite bounty hunter, and his moral code (or lack thereof). Ties of family and friendship are important in the Star Wars galaxy, so several philosophers examine the moral psychology behind the relationships between characters from slaves to princesses. One chapter even answers the age-old question, “Can Chewie speak?”

We also examine the philosophical significance behind the impact of Star Wars on the real world as an important artifact of pop culture. Kevin Smith's charge – voiced by slacker Randal in the film Clerks – that the Rebellion is actually a terrorist organization comes up for debate. Other chapters engage with the legacy of Joseph Campbell to examine the dark side of the saga's mythological foundation, or offer a framework for understanding what's “canonical” in Star Wars – giving fans good reason to assert once and for all that Han shot first.

It turns out that the philosophical questions that inspired us to collect some of the brightest minds in the galaxy in Star Wars and Philosophy were only the beginning. With the volume you hold in your hands, the circle is now complete, and those who were once learners may start on the path toward becoming philosophical masters. May the Force be with you!

Episode ITHE PHILOSOPHICAL MENACE

1The Platonic Paradox of Darth Plagueis: How Could a Sith Lord Be Wise?

Terrance MacMullan

“Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?” When Anakin's friend and mentor Chancellor Palpatine casually asks him this question as they enjoy a Mon Calamari ballet on Coruscant, you can almost hear Anakin wonder to himself, “How could a Sith be wise?” Believed extinct for a thousand years, the Sith had a terrifying reputation as malicious agents of irrepressible evil. From a certain point of view, particularly that of a Jedi, the idea of a is quite odd, if not outright impossible.