XI Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2019

The connection between religion and culture is difficult to overestimate, we find echoes of religion in many works of art: painting, sculpture, literature, music, cinema, games and much more. Religion is such an integral part of our lives that in any fictional world, no matter what universe we turn to, there is a religion in one form or another, and it is not so important whether the emphasis is on this or not, the very existence of religion in this or that world is important. Religious motives and the presence of certain denominations we find in the universe of Tolkien, Lewis, Zhelyazna, Sapkowski and other authors. The famous universe of George Lucas Star Wars is no exception.

Today, it is rare to meet someone who has never heard of the Star wars universe and the mysterious Force that is an essential attribute of this universe. Many fans and researchers of the Star wars universe wondered what is the Force?

"The Force of the infinite mystery of it. Much remains to be learned."

—Yoda.

There is no consensus on the issue of studying the phenomenon of the Force. Some tend to argue that the Force is something like Plato's demiurge, a substance, the engine of everything. Others see the Force as life energy. There are also other points of view that have less actual support, so they should not be cited. As for the nature of the Force, it is primarily described as energy:

"The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds and permeates us. It binds the Universe together."

— Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The very characterization of the Force as energy suggests: where did the creators of Star wars draw inspiration from? After all, you can not come up with a new religion (even fictional), if not based on some real.

Among the well-known religions and teachings in the world, where there is a mention of a special energy, Taoism should be highlighted. This teaching of the Tao is energy, an impersonal force, the will of the universe, which corresponds to the order of all things in the world. It is worth saying that to refer to Tao, a comparison with a river or a stream is often used, a similar comparison we meet in Star wars:

"The force is a river from which many can drink, and the training of the Jedi is not the only way to draw from it."

— Luke Skywalker.

The Force is a living energy that oozes through everything that exists in the world, connecting all living beings, just like Tao in ancient Chinese teaching. About binding strength says the great teacher Jedi master Yoda:

"The force surrounds us... and binds. Beings of light are we, not from matter rough."

As proof that the Force binds together all the creatures we see in the case of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the Jedi are closely associated with the Force and feels any hesitation in it:

"I felt a powerful excitement in the Force, as if millions of voices cried out in horror and suddenly subsided." - says Kenobi about the death of an entire planet Alderaan in episode IV: A New hope of Star wars.

Also one of the aspects of Taoism is harmony with the established course of things in the world, harmony with nature. Similar can also be found in Star wars when it comes to Manpower. It is believed that the Living Force is present in all living beings. The Jedi have the ability to sense the Living Force inside of life forms, helping them to establish contact with animals and various living beings. The Jedi do not interfere in the usual course of events, natural phenomena and the development of on those planets where appear.

Thus, we see that the Force in Star wars has many similarities with the ancient Chinese teachings about Tao. However, limiting oneself to Taoism as the only source that served as a prototype for Strength would be a mistake. In the doctrine of the Force appears another important thing – the principle of balance. The whole history of the universe is based on the principle that the Force must be in balance (the relative equality of the dark and the light side). That is why initially, before the separation of Jedi and Sith were a single order to maintain balance, the balance of the Force within the parties themselves. From this later, the Jedi appeared the principle that all extremes are misleading. This principle is reminiscent of the spiritual quest of the Buddha, who also after years of experience of austerity came to the conclusion that it is impossible to understand the truth in extremes. In contrast to the Jedi, the Sith, on the contrary, are eager to absolutize their capabilities, knowledge and power:

"Only a Sith deals in Absolutes.»

— Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Thus, the concept of the Force is reflected more and the teachings of the Buddha, albeit peculiar only to the concept of the Jedi.

If we talk about the Force in its universal scale, given the presence of light and dark side, it is worth noting that the world in the universe of Star wars dualistic. This dualism manifests itself both in the presence of two sides – light and dark, and in the fact that they must be in balance, so that there is peace and harmony in the galaxy.

From this it follows that the Force also has a close resemblance to the Chinese philosophy of Qigong ("Qi"), and the division of the Force into Light and Dark sides correlates with the concept of "Yin" and "Yang". However, the essence of the dualism of the Force can reveal the concept of Zoroastrianism. Throughout history, we see a clear confrontation between good and evil, and even bringing to the balance of the Force is possible only in the case of the victory of good over evil. This confrontation in Zoroastrianism is expressed by the struggle of Ahuramazda (the one God) and ariman (the evil spirit), who are essentially the personification of the light and dark sides of the Force.

Summarizing all the above, we can conclude that Force is not a translation of any one religious concept, on the contrary, Force is a fusion of many religious and philosophical doctrines and concepts that existed both in ancient times and almost died out, and those that are world religions or national philosophical doctrines. In General, the Force is one of the best and most vivid examples of how religion finds its place and embodiment in fictional reality, and how religion itself is perceived organically by readers and spectators, who perceive the entire universe with its religious aspects as a single and indivisible whole.

Bibliografy:

Cavelos, Jeanne. 5. The Force // The Science of Star Wars. — St. Martin's Press, May 1999. — ISBN 0312209584.

Taylor, Chris. How Star Wars Conquered the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of a Multibillion Dollar Franchise. — Basic Books, 2014.

Asher-Perrin, Emily The "True Nature of the Force" is Way More Complicated Than You Think. Tor Books (September 12, 2012).

Kaminski, Michael. The Secret History of Star Wars. — Legacy Books Press. — P. 75–77. — ISBN 978-0978465230.

Decker, Kevin S. Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine / Kevin S. Decker, Eberl, Irwin. — Open Court Publishing Company, 2009. — ISBN 978-1435119468.

Код для цитирования: Скопировать