Jedi use of force 'Sides' lightning etc

[Stuart Mackey]

Ok, I am not a reader of the post Endor books, bar a couple.
Whats this with Jedi useing abilities that the movies suggest are dark side attributes?. How does force philosphy deal with this?

[Kerneth]

NJO SPOILER WARNING AND STUFF
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Okay, in the New Jedi Order, an Old Republic Jedi Master named Vergere (who spent 50 years among the Yuuzhan Vong who are now invading the Galaxy) tells Luke that the big shameful secret of the Jedi Order was that there is no Dark Side of the Force. Rather, certain actions were labelled as being "Dark Side" because it was a convenient way to keep the Jedi in line and to explain it to non-Jedi. Really, a Jedi can use the Force any way he or she wishes; it's the intent that matters, not the actual power used. If you Force-lightning someone in order to save an innocent life, the act isn't evil, but if you Force-lightning someone because you want to see if it'll make their hair stand on end, then it's an evil act. If you get mad at something, use that anger to fuel a Force attack, but your intent is still defensive or "good", then it's not using the Dark Side, it's just a constructive use of an emotion.

A person can't "turn to the Dark Side" by using the Force a certain way--they turn to the Dark Side by consciously deciding to serve themselves over society and further their goals (self-aggrandizement, wealth, power) by any means necessary. In other words, Palpatine's techniques weren't "evil", his goals and intentions were.

At least that's my take on it.

[Joe]

The "no dark side" is just Vergere's theory. It's not by any means the definitively correct one.

[JME2]

The "no dark side" is just Vergere's theory. It's not by any means the definitively correct one.

In any event, it's a fascinating take on GL's mystical energy field and I find myself supporting it in the aftermath of the NJO.

[Kuja]

NJO SPOILER WARNING AND STUFF

Vergere's theory isn't particularly groundbreaking. Luke himself said "It's the intent that matters, not your actions" waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in The Courtship of Princess Leia.

[Connor MacLeod]

Vergere wasn't a Jedi Master. She was a Knight at best, IIRC.

[Connor MacLeod]

Ok, I am not a reader of the post Endor books, bar a couple.
Whats this with Jedi useing abilities that the movies suggest are dark side attributes?. How does force philosphy deal with this?

Yoda retuirned Dooku's lighting to him in AOTC (he also demonstrated the ability to absorb it.) Luke's also use Force chokes.

Its not the power itself that determines whether it is good or evil but the intent (Much how Palpatine demanded Luke take up his lightsaber and "strike him down with all of his hatred" in order to turn him to the Dark Side. Since Jedi typically strike down people with lightsabers in the movies yet never automatically go evil, we can assume that the action/mechanism is not as important as the reasons or intentions behind the act.)

Edit: I woudl also like to submit that lightning in and of itself does not contain any inherently good or evil qualities - its just a stream of charged particles.)

[dworkin]

Killing someone is a 'bad thing'. Torturing someone to death is a 'BAD THING'.

Ocasionally the former is neccessary, however. Even then it messes people up. Torturing people to death, like using force grip or electro-bastard ray on a regular basis will fuck you up. And you're a pretty sick bastard if you do it anyways.

That is why Jedi are exhorted to use their powers 'only in defence, never attack'. Because killing people does bad things to your head and who wants an unstable force wielder wandering arround. Regular humans are dangerous enough.

Still as the Law Marshals of the Republic a Jedi may have to kill someone. This is why they carry those light sabres. To prevent needless suffering and so they are not tempted to torture people to death with the force.