Rational Review links us to "Star Wars: Are the Sith Selfish?" by Edward Hudgins of The Objectivist Center.
Hudgins calls our attention to a particularly ludicrous aspect of the Jedi Code articulated by Yoda: "that fear of loss is the path to the Dark Side; that attachment leads to greed; and that one should release oneself from that which one fears to lose. If one lets go of fear -- which by Yoda's logic implies giving up what one loves --, loss cannot harm one.
"Well there's a pretty bleak choice! If you really love something -- your wife, children, career -- fear of their loss could drive you to commit every kind of immoral act. Self-interest leads to Darth Vader. The only alternative: self-sacrifice; love nothing. On Yoda's theory, why should he and the other Jedi love the Republic and liberty?"
Good call, pointing this out.
We took the kids to see the film the other night. Special effects are great. Basics, like acting and dialog, could use some work. Hayden Christensen did a better job than most critics are giving him credit for. Brilliant veteran performers like Samuel L. Jackson sounded like they were doing rehearsals for the school play.
Another thing that bugged me is how those on the "good" side kept equating freedom with "democracy."
My final objection was when Obi-Wan saved himself using a handblaster, and afterward threw it to the floor with a disgusted "How uncivilized!"
Maybe, pal. But you used it, didn't you?
Hudgins calls our attention to a particularly ludicrous aspect of the Jedi Code articulated by Yoda: "that fear of loss is the path to the Dark Side; that attachment leads to greed; and that one should release oneself from that which one fears to lose. If one lets go of fear -- which by Yoda's logic implies giving up what one loves --, loss cannot harm one.
"Well there's a pretty bleak choice! If you really love something -- your wife, children, career -- fear of their loss could drive you to commit every kind of immoral act. Self-interest leads to Darth Vader. The only alternative: self-sacrifice; love nothing. On Yoda's theory, why should he and the other Jedi love the Republic and liberty?"
Good call, pointing this out.
We took the kids to see the film the other night. Special effects are great. Basics, like acting and dialog, could use some work. Hayden Christensen did a better job than most critics are giving him credit for. Brilliant veteran performers like Samuel L. Jackson sounded like they were doing rehearsals for the school play.
Another thing that bugged me is how those on the "good" side kept equating freedom with "democracy."
My final objection was when Obi-Wan saved himself using a handblaster, and afterward threw it to the floor with a disgusted "How uncivilized!"
Maybe, pal. But you used it, didn't you?