Is Yoda a Stoic?

It might surprise you, but according to philosophy professor William Stephens, “The code of the Jedi is Stoicism 101.” The Stoics taught that “true power is self-mastery.” To live a good life, they also believed that one must live in harmony with nature.

It might surprise you, but according to philosophy professor William Stephens, “The code of the Jedi is Stoicism 101.”

In Ancient Greece, around 300 B.C., Stoic philosophy gained an appreciable following. The Stoics taught that “true power is self-mastery.” To live a good life, they also believed that one must live in harmony with nature.

Yoda and the Jedi impart similar lessons, says Stephens, by teaching Luke to discipline his mind to harmonize with the logic of the Force. “To find the good, the Light Side of the Force,” Stephens summarizes Yoda’s advice to Luke, one has to remain calm, mindful, and unafraid. Both Yoda and the Stoics teach us lessons that are good for us all.

Check out the article here:

https://www.creighton.edu/creightonmagazine/2017fallunewsstarwars/

And tune into this week’s show, The 5th (Mostly) Annual Dionysus Awards, where our hosts talk to philosophers, film critics, and listeners presenting nominations for the most philosophically compelling movies of the year.