Special thanks to my friend Sam who helped me flesh out this idea.
Some aspects of the Jedi Code are very well defined. As powerful beings, there are rules a Jedi must follow to stay on the "pure" path of the Jedi. Jedi that don't follow this code risk drifting to the dark side of the force. But is the Jedi Code merely a set of rules or does it reflect a fundamental morality? Han Solo called the Jedi a "religion." Most religions have a moral code that members attempt to adhere to. Specifically, what does the Jedi Code have to say about falsehood, deception, lying, and trickery? Is this okay for a Jedi to engage in or is it against the Jedi Code? All major world religions here on Earth preach against lying. "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor," says the Bible. I suppose I always assumed that Jedi, being the "good guys" were held to a similar standard. But then the prequels proved much of what Obi Wan says in Episode IV to be false. So that got me thinking... According to the Jedi's own code, is it okay for the Jedi to lie?
Some aspects of the Jedi Code are very well defined. As powerful beings, there are rules a Jedi must follow to stay on the "pure" path of the Jedi. Jedi that don't follow this code risk drifting to the dark side of the force. But is the Jedi Code merely a set of rules or does it reflect a fundamental morality? Han Solo called the Jedi a "religion." Most religions have a moral code that members attempt to adhere to. Specifically, what does the Jedi Code have to say about falsehood, deception, lying, and trickery? Is this okay for a Jedi to engage in or is it against the Jedi Code? All major world religions here on Earth preach against lying. "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbor," says the Bible. I suppose I always assumed that Jedi, being the "good guys" were held to a similar standard. But then the prequels proved much of what Obi Wan says in Episode IV to be false. So that got me thinking... According to the Jedi's own code, is it okay for the Jedi to lie?
I will be going film by film looking for evidence that helps us answer this question. We'll go chronologically through the series from Episode I to Episode VI (including the Clone Wars movie).
(shakes head)...sigh!
ReplyDeleteThe vile are ever prone to detect the faults of others, though they be as small as mustard seeds, and persistently shut their eyes against their own, though they be as large as Vilva fruit.
1.Hinduism. Garuda Purana 112
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment that you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
2.Christianity. Matthew 7.1-5