Philosophy and religion in Star Wars
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George Lucas' creation of the Star Wars saga was influenced by certain elements widespread in mythology, philosophy and religion. In particular, the conflict between "light" and "dark" sides of the Force resembles Zoroastrianism.[1]
Elements of Star Wars have been compared to practices and beliefs in many major religions, including Christianity, such as the themes of redemption, Taoism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam .[2] Conversely, concepts from the films have also been used to highlight philosophical issues in the areas of ethics, metaphysics, truth, and faith. For example, The Dharma of Star Wars (2005) uses tropes from the Star Wars franchise to explain Buddhism.
See also
References
- ^ Kraemer, Ross; Cassidy, William; Schwartz, Susan L. (2009). Religions Of Star Trek. Basic Books. ISBN 0786750227.
Lucas's dualism may have been modeled on Chinese yin-yang notions in some ways, but it has equal inspiration from the Zoroastrian ethical dualism of good and evil. Both the dark (yin) and the light (yang) are present in the Force (as they are in Tao), but in Star Wars the dark is associated with evil and the light with good; in Taoism no such ethical links are made.
- ^ Steven J. Rosen, Jonathan Young (2010). The Jedi in the Lotus: Star Wars and the Hindu Tradition. Arktos Media Ltd. p. 188. ISBN 978-1-907166-11-2.
External links
Further reading
- Bortolin, Matthew (2005). The Dharma of Star Wars. London: Wisdom Publications. ISBN 978-0-86171-497-1.
- Decker, Kevin (2005). Star Wars and Philosophy. La Salle: Open Court. ISBN 978-0-8126-9583-0.
- Grimes, Caleb (2007). Star Wars Jesus: a Spiritual Commentary on the Reality of the Force. City: Winepress. ISBN 978-1-57921-884-3.
- Hanson, Michael (2002). Star Wars: the New Myth. S.L.: Xlibris. ISBN 978-1-4010-3989-9.
- Jones, Timothy (2005). Finding God in a Galaxy Far, Far Away. Portland: Multnomah. ISBN 978-1-59052-577-7.
- Mcdowell, John (2007). The Gospel According to Star Wars. Louisville: Westminster John Knox. ISBN 978-0-664-23142-2.
- Staub, Dick (2005). Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-0-7879-7894-5.
- Wetmore, Kevin (2005). The Empire Triumphant. Jefferson: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-2219-7.
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