What specifically is the theological foundation of the “Star Wars” universe? You have this huge priest like group devoted to following the precepts of the non-evil side of some universal force ripping through the fabric of the cosmos, and inherent in everything. Isn’t this simply a variety of some type of cosmic level Animism?
Ok, several different ways of looking at it. I’ll run through them as far as I get it.
“Scientific” view - Something to do with midichlorians, which seem to be some kind of bacteria that (all) people live symbiotically with. They have access to the Force, and are able to provide that benefit to their hosts. Those with more midichlorians have more ability to use the Force. This seems to be the case in that when a Force-user loses a part of their body, or even all of it, their ability to wield the Force is diminished. However, this theory only came up in the Phantom Menace, but it is canon (unfortunetly). This seems to be the view of the Old Republic Jedi.
Jedi/Sith view - To some extent, they agree. They both believe that the Force is present in all things (not just life, but rocks and so on). That’s why droids can be manipulated, because although they aren’t technically life, they are permeated by the Force. One example shows a user who through specific training can actually manipulate droids and A.I. as most Force users are able to with people, but this is an Expanded Universe example.
Then there’s the differences in perspective, which seem to lead to different abilities. The Sith view the Force as a tool; something they control and use to do what they want. Thus they seem to have a greater grasp of the physical uses of the Force, that being their focus; Force lightning, for example. The Jedi have a wider array of different views on the Force; some think of it as a guide, some as a tool as the Sith do, some as an ability that they train to perfect; which is why Jedi seem to display a lot more difference between themselves as the Sith (although this may be because there are usually much less Sith). All the Jedi do seem to have a vague-to-strong belief that “the Force” has some kind of will, or personality of it’s own, and that they should work with it, rather than simply use it for what they want to do.
The Jedi (but not the Sith) believe in the Light side and Dark side, generally differentiated by the frame of mind you are in when you use the Force; if you’re angry, then that’s the Dark Side, and when you’re at peace (not necessarily happy), that’s the Light Side. There also seem to be some abilities which are judged inherently dark; mostly destruction-based abilities, which also explains why Jedi don’t use all the tricks Sith do. Again, the Sith feel it’s all the same thing.
Yuuzhan Vong view - uhm, these guys are basically aliens from outside the galaxy, and to the Jedi seemed to be “outside” the Force - they couldn’t be sensed or even manipulated by it. It turns out that…
they had their ability to wield the force stripped from them
…but they are left with what they call “Vong-sense”, which allows them close to telepathic bonds with their vehicles and weaponry (which are all made of living creatures that they grow). A couple of Jedi were able to tap into this sense, but only after extreme situations (one was implanted with seeds they use to control slaves, the other brainwashed into thinking she was one of them). It seems though that Vong-sense is also part of the Force.
Unifying Force view - This has pretty recently been introduced, and again is Expanded Universe-based. A mix of the previous Jedi views and Vong-sense (and it’s philosophy), the Jedi realised that the Old Republic Jedi used to basically meditate a lot, and were a lot more “into” the Force than they used to be, with a greater understanding of it; but they got drawn back into the world by others asking for help, and eventually became peacekeepers. Now, the Jedi have decided that the “frame of mind” judgement is wrong, and that what really makes something “of the Dark side” is what you use the Force for. So, for them now, all abilities are ok, and you can also fuel your power with emotions and anger, as long as it’s for a good end - for example, Force lightning has been used by Jedi now, and they’re also more willing to cause pain. This is creating something of a split, as you might imagine.
And then there’s the smaller groups of Force users - one example would be the witches of Dathomir, who generally see the Force as a sort of Wiccan-type affair (although again there are Dark side users who feel it’s just a power to use for themselves). Another example would be the Fallanassi, who call the Force the “White Current”, and also see the Force as having a definite will of it’s own, though one that doesn’t emanate from life and material, but flows through it all. For some reason, they alone (though they’ve taught it to others) allow them to both turn large areas invisible and create large scale (as in a fleet of spaceships) illusions, which would seem to suggest that perspective plays a very large part on what you can and can’t do with the Force. A third example would be Jacen Solo, a Jedi, who feels that they should be like the Old Republic Jedi, and retreat from the world to better understand the Force. Eventually he was persuaded to actively take part and help other people. He was one of the ones able to tap into the Vong-sense, and also spent time with many other Force-using groups (such as the Dathomir witches and Fallanassi). Because of this, he seems to be able to control the future a bit; he can both prophecise and manipulate events so that a projected image of himself at a specific place and time can be seen by others in the future. Again, it’s likely that by understanding many of the different perspectives, a greater understanding of the Force can be reached. It’s very possible they’re all wrong.
In the simplest terms, the Force is like duct tape. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society.
Can’t remember this from the movies – are you talking about SW novels now? Are such considered canon?
I once saw something on TV where George Lucas was talking about The Force. He said that he was attemping to create a very simple, universal religion for the Jedi. Most religions share the idea that there is something beyond our physical world, and this is where the idea of The Force came from. Also, any religion worth the name has some concept of good & bad, hence the Light Side and Dark Side. As for the special powers that the Force gives, well, that’s because Lucas really really wanted the Jedi to be superpowered ass-kickers 
:eek: WOW Revenant Threshold, that was very impressive :D.
All Star Wars media is considered canon unless Lucas contradicts it in a movie or by word.
For example:
Uncle Owen as Obi-Wans brother (this info stated outright in the ROTJ novelization) was canon until Luca contradicted it in AOTC.
What Push You Down said. There’s levels of canonosity (is that a word?) -
The films are at the top. Anything in the films is canon.
Then the Clone Wars cartoons, which I think count more than the books (could be wrong), and the various licensed encyclopedias based on the films.
Then the E.U., which includes novels, comics (unless stated otherwise), computer games, etc. Also encyclopedias based on the E.U…
And, yes anything after the Jedi/Sith view in my summary is from E.U., meaning it’s canon until such time as George Lucas disagrees. To give an example, a lot of the novels had to quickly change tack when it was released that Padme was Luke and Leia’s mother. Likewise, there was a whole other backstory for Boba Fett that was disregarded as stories to create mystery about him when we learnt his canon origins in Attack of the Clones.
Yes – but usually such powers are supposed to be self-aware, volitional beings, i.e., gods. This is true even of animist deities such as the Japanese kami. The Force, so far as we can tell, has no mind or consciousness and no “divine plan.” You can use the Force but you can’t communicate with it, pray to it or propitiate it. It’s more like “psychic energy,” analogous to the Chinese concept of qi or chi, or the Hindu kundalini, or Mesmer’s “animal magnetism,” or Reichenbach’s “odylic force” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odylic_force), or Bulwer-Lytton’s “vril” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vril), or the modern New Age concept of the Kirlian aura.
Ah! I thought it wasn’t, but I forgot it’s basically a very old word given newish definition.
Hey, I didn’t say that I agreed with his reasoning. I’ve noticed the New Age-ish vibe myself. The Force is definitely not a god.
Or the Tao.
I believe The Force is an amalgam of eartlhyn religion. I see it as the Tao of Judaism with a Zen Buddhist arm of enforcement represented as the Jedi. A Kali cult in opposition…the Sith.
:dubious:
Actually, while the Force isn’t a god, there’s strong indications that it does have, for lack of a better word, plans. And while a set course to follow doesn’t have to mean sentience (after all, a river is the same), there’s a lot suggesting the Force does have some (but not total) control over the universe and the people in it.