Ethics and Morality - A Star Wars view

Since the first time I saw it (VHS tapes), the Star Wars film series with its blend of science fiction and myth has always fascinated me. Have since then rewatched the movies an uncountable amount of times. I still watch one of the movies when I have nothing else to do. Why ? The philosophy interests me. The central idea that there is a metaphysical power that binds the universe together and the nature of good and evil is interesting. Is morality as emperor Palpatine infamously claims, a point of view ? 

We rarely make moral decisions in a vacuum. Most of us I reckon rely on an internal hierarchy. The hierarchy consists of Self, Family, Society and Country.  If the decision making is being done at a subconscious level; then when it is pointed out it would run contrary to the conventional hierarchy one thinks one follows.  Star Wars uses the same hierarchy. 

Self : The self is the foundation of ethical behaviour. Very Aristotelian, but it fits both modern and ancient philosophical systems that have stood the test of time. Without a sense of secure self, decision making gets distorted and muddled as in the example of Anakin who goes on to become Darth Vader. He looses his security and gives into fear and doubt. 

Family : Loyalty to family is an immediate extension of the self. Many times superseding society and societal  expectations. (One can see it on display many times across India - expectations of Family supersedes everything else). Anakin justifies almost all his actions in episode 3 as necessary to save his family i.e his wife. 

Society : this provides the context, the framework and the shared value systems needed for order and a meaningful exchange between individuals. The Sith and the Jedi both provide the framework for the characters to interact. The republic senate provides the context for the ambassadors to interact with each other. 

Country :  This is the most abstract and broad layer of loyalty. The Mandalorians is a fantastic representation of a nation state that is part of the Star Wars lore but not part of the Republic or the Empire. The individuals are fiercely patriotic and independent.  

The emperor’s doctrine that good and evil are subjective; reflects moral relativism, the belief that moral truths are not absolute but depend on context, culture, or individual belief. This view appeals because it seems to allow for empathy and flexibility; it acknowledges that what is right for one may not be right for another.  However, relativism has its dangers. If all moral positions are equally valid, then actions like genocide, tyranny, and betrayal can be justified by the perpetrator. Palpatine constructs an empire and calls it a republic; he wages war and calls it security.

If morality is not purely objective nor entirely relative, how can we assess right and wrong? Aristotle did not believe morality was dictated by rules or outcomes. He focused on the character - the kind of person one could be. The moral hierarchy of Self, Family, Society , Country is not wrong but rather incomplete without adding virtue. Each level of loyalty as expressed by morality needs to be balanced by the pursuit of ethical excellence. 

It’s not the perspective that is important, it is character. Relentlessly persevering to ensure moral excellence across all levels of loyalty - does not eliminate ethical conflicts but helps provide the tools to navigate them with integrity. 

C