Star Wars and Philosophy

More Powerful than You Can Possibly Imagine

Kevin S. Decker, Jason T. Eberl and William Irwin

Narrated by Joseph Bevilacqua

Available from Audible

Book published by Open Court

Sensed a disturbance in The Force lately? This is what’s been setting your midi-chlorians tingling. Seventeen Jedi adepts got together to probe the deeper reaches of the Star Wars epic. A hazardous quest—philosophy is more risky than not letting a Wookiee win. Now their wisdom has been imprinted on sheets of extruded wood pulp and conveyed across hyperspace into our galaxy.

Why do bad Sith nearly always tell the truth and good Jedi often tell lies? When is it justified to raise an army by breeding clones? If the Force must have a Dark Side, how can the Dark Side be evil? Why and how did the tyrannical Empire emerge from the free Republic? Are droids persons, entitled to civil rights? Is Yoda a Stoic or a Zen master?

This is the Jedi’s most precious possession. The answers are all here. You may want to go home and rethink your life.

Kevin S. Decker teaches philosophy at Saint Louis University.

Jason T. Eberl is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

William Irwin is Herve A. LeBlanc Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of Philosophy at King's College, Pennsylvania. Irwin's latest books are Little Siddhartha and God Is a Question, Not an Answer.

REVIEWS:

“A real 'tour de Force'! Star Wars and Philosophy is a terrific read for any reflective person gripped by George Lucas's archetypal space saga. This 'council' of philosophers illuminates a wide scope of pertinent social, political, ethical, philosophical, and religious issues of great significance to both our world and the Star Wars galaxy.”

—Steven A. Galipeau, author of The Journey of Luke Skywalker

“Over 2,500 years of questions discussed in the new light of the Star Wars saga! I have a good feeling about this book. You'll thoroughly enjoy it as you follow your path on the love of wisdom.”

—John M. Porter, author of The Tao of Star Wars

“The connection between Star Wars and the mythic theories of Joseph Campbell is now well known. Star Wars and Philosophy takes us the next step to reveal profound implications of the tales. This book is a must for those seeking the deeper meanings of the captivating film series.”

—Jonathan Young, Founding Curator, Joseph Campbell Archives