There are many connections between philosophy, stoicism, and the Star Wars saga. The Jedi play a significant role in transforming Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader by imposing stoic ideas on him. This causes him to act against his human nature. To understand Anakin’s transformation, it is important to grasp the concepts of Stoicism. Stoicism includes living in harmony with nature, consuming only what is necessary, accepting all events in a rational universe, effectively using fate, embracing current conditions as meant to be, focusing on controllable factors rather than uncontrollable ones, living virtuously, practicing self-discipline, and freeing oneself from strong emotions and passions. Yoda embodies stoicism throughout the Star Wars series.
He has trained himself to possess timeless, patient, serious, and even-tempered qualities. It is not difficult to question why Yoda did not succumb to the dark side when cultivating an unemotional demeanor, unlike Anakin who, contrary to his disposition, became Darth Vader. One notable distinction is that Yoda had multiple lifetimes to refine his skills and ascend as a Jedi master. Contrastingly, Anakin, being human, had only one lifetime for such a formidable endeavor. However, Anakin’s sole existence cannot solely be held accountable for his drastic spiral towards the dark side.
The main catalyst for his transformation can be attributed to his deliberate effort to suppress emotion, particularly anger. In chapter seven of book one in Seneca’s “On Anger,” he asserts that some people believe the optimal approach is to manage anger rather than eradicate it completely. By channeling its excessive manifestations and constraining it within constructive limits, while still preserving the essential part necessary for action and maintaining mental vigor, Seneca suggests that conquering anger is a simpler task than merely controlling it.
The Jedi’s failure to properly educate Anakin on the principles of Aristotle’s Nicomachaean Ethics or the Golden Mean is evident. This ethical framework emphasizes the importance of moderation in order to achieve goodness in all aspects and provides a clear understanding of what constitutes a balanced emotion. If the Jedi had shared this knowledge with Anakin, his anger would not have escalated as much since he would have been taught how to acknowledge and address it instead of suppressing it entirely. It is considered unnatural to completely suppress anger; however, as long as it doesn’t interfere with one’s judgment or self-control, experiencing this emotion is acceptable.
The downfall of Anakin was his denial of his human nature and the Jedi’s failure to teach him to live in the present. Anakin’s fixation on the fear of losing his loved ones prevented him from focusing on reality. As wise Yoda states: “fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” It was this path that Anakin followed when he experienced extreme grief over his mother’s untimely death and became consumed by fear upon foreseeing Padme’s demise, causing him to lose sight of the present.
The Jedi later learn from Yoda’s criticism of Anakin’s son, stating, “Throughout his life, he always averted his gaze… towards the future, towards the horizon. His mind never focused on his present location.” Anakin went to extreme lengths to rescue his loved ones, even if it meant undergoing a personal transformation. This also relates to the Jedi’s failure to properly instruct Anakin on concentrating on what he can control. Anakin struggled to accept the inevitability of death, having witnessed his mother’s demise in his embrace and fearing a similar fate for Padme.
The Dark Side of the force offered Skywalker the opportunity to cheat death, and his intense desire to save his love made it impossible for him to reject it. While Stoicism is portrayed as an ideal way of life in the Star Wars saga, it is not always realistic. People respond differently to emotions and have varying methods of controlling them. The Jedi adhere to stoic principles, which can have positive outcomes like with Yoda, or lead to a complete downfall like with Anakin Skywalker.
