Star Wars has always inspired probing questions:
Beyond fan speculation, and sometimes fan angst, Star Wars has also inspired philosophical questions. Here are some examples (in the order Lucas intended):
Clearly, much of the world has by now got Star Wars under its skin. The cultural significance of phrases like “Luke, I am your father,” “I've got a bad feeling about this,” and “Do or do not, there is no try” aren't merely pop culture clichés. They've penetrated academia, and there are hundreds of scholarly articles and books examining the deeper meaning of George Lucas's fantastical creation. One of these, Star Wars and Philosophy: More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine (Open Court, 2005), was put together by the valiant editors of the volume you're currently reading and came to Lucas's attention. This may have inspired him to ask a question of his own: “What other deep cultural connections could be made with Star Wars?” In turn, this question led him to commission a series of books relating themes in Star Wars with history, political science, and religion. In 2007, The History Channel premiered a documentary, Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed, which included interviews with scholars commenting on the saga's historical and mythological roots and connections. As much as Star Wars presents us with thoughtful examples of philosophical Stoicism (with the Jedi's calm detachment even when being chased by large gooberfish), or raises questions about the mysterious Force (is it an energy field or a bunch of midi-chlorians?) or the power of both hate and forgiveness (as the Emperor and Luke battle for Vader's soul), it also urges us to understand our own historical, religious, and political circumstances. Star Wars endures because we see ourselves in its myriad facets.
Of course, a lot has happened since the original Star Wars and Philosophy was published just before the release of Episode III, not the least of which are the excitement and enthusiasm generated by the knowledge that director J.J. Abrams is kicking off a new trilogy of films set some years after Episode VI, and that there are likely to be other films (a Boba Fett spinoff?) as well. As philosophers, the contributors of the various essays in the pages that follow can't speculate on the deeper meaning of what's yet to come. Indeed, as the German thinker G.W.F. Hegel claimed, philosophy only captures its own time in thought – so maybe this won't be the “ultimate” volume on Star Wars and philosophy after the next trilogy is over! Still, the brilliant chapters you're about to read contribute in novel ways to the critical appreciation of the Star Wars saga so far for fans and philosophers alike.
We've been able to delve into subjects that the original Star Wars and Philosophy missed, subjects prompted by not only the six feature films to date but also the Clone Wars television series and stories from the Expanded Universe. This book also includes new takes on familiar topics like the nature of the Force – does it have to have a dark side? – and whether the minds of droids are similar to our own. Feminist authors critically look at how women are portrayed (in elaborate headgear or in gold bikinis) and treated (choked by their husband or chained to a giant slug) in the films. There's even a chapter on Boba Fett, our favorite bounty hunter, and his moral code (or lack thereof). Ties of family and friendship are important in the Star Wars galaxy, so several philosophers examine the moral psychology behind the relationships between characters from slaves to princesses. One chapter even answers the age-old question, “Can Chewie speak?”
We also examine the philosophical significance behind the impact of Star Wars on the real world as an important artifact of pop culture. Kevin Smith's charge – voiced by slacker Randal in the film Clerks – that the Rebellion is actually a terrorist organization comes up for debate. Other chapters engage with the legacy of Joseph Campbell to examine the dark side of the saga's mythological foundation, or offer a framework for understanding what's “canonical” in Star Wars – giving fans good reason to assert once and for all that Han shot first.
It turns out that the philosophical questions that inspired us to collect some of the brightest minds in the galaxy in Star Wars and Philosophy were only the beginning. With the volume you hold in your hands, the circle is now complete, and those who were once learners may start on the path toward becoming philosophical masters. May the Force be with you!