Darth Hedonese

Yup, that's my nickname in KPMG. "Darth Hedonese". For betraying the Jedi Order.

Spooky Jedi. I know you are there! :D

I was reminded of an interesting line by Obi Wan Kenobi before the light sabers sent sparks flying at the final duel between him and Anakin...

"Only a Sith Lord deals in absolutes. I will do what I must." (which is, kill Anakin)

OK, that's interesting.

"MUST you absolutely do it, Master Obi Wan?"

It seems that the 'must' is rather absolute here.

But here's my take on this...

The exceedingly ironic thing about this whole episode is, the Sith Lord is a relativist! (an inconsistent one, though, as they inevitably are)

I mean, we're talking about Zen Buddhism here... But you can detect undercurrents of Foucault or Derrida or Nietszche too!

Dun believe, look at this 'conversation'... (my comments in italics)




ANAKIN: The Jedi use their power for good.
(Good? Anakin seems to deal with absolutes here but...)

PALPATINE: Good is a point of view, Anakin. And the Jedi point of view is not the only valid one. The Dark Lords of the Sith believe in security and justice also, yet they are considered by the Jedi to be. . .

ANAKIN: . . . evil.

(Notice how subtly the Sith relativises 'good' as just a point of view of your personal preference or culture or community etc. Its not that Jedis are wrong, it's not THE ONLY valid opinion la. Oh, sure, Siths believe justice cannot be deconstructed too... Never mind, the word means something insidiously different)

PALPATINE: . . . from a Jedi's point of view. The Sith and the Jedi are similar in almost every way, including their quest for greater power. The difference between the two is the Sith are not afraid of the dark side of the Force. That is why they are more powerful.


(Evil? Oh, that's 'just' your culturally-situated perception or perspective or opinion, rite? It's all power game, politics and suppression of the other. You folks are just afraid of trying out the Dark Side, la)

ANAKIN: The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think inward, only about themselves.
(Selfishness is absolutely bad, isn't it?)

PALPATINE: And the Jedi don't?
(Psycho-analyse such absolutism as expressions of fear of unknown OR will-to-power)

ANAKIN: The Jedi are selfless . . . they only care about others.
(Compassion is absolutely good, isn't it?)

PALPATINE smiles.
(Cynicism... Irony... Give him that "You're-so-naive, I-know-better" kind of look)

Classic case study of tactical moves to turn a padawan to the Dark Side.

Here's another dialogue.

PALPATINE: Anakin, if one is to understand the great mystery, one must study all its aspects, not just the dogmatic, narrow view of the Jedi. If you wish to become a complete and wise leader, you must embrace a larger view of the Force. Be careful of the Jedi, Anakin. They fear you. In time they will destroy you. Let me train you.

ANAKIN: I won't be a pawn in your political game. The Jedi are my family.

(Er... "dogmatic" and "narrow view of the Jedi"? OK, the label seems to fit all species of fundamentalists and as it turns out nowadays, any conservative evangelicals who dare to believe in sola scriptura and sola Christus too! How nice!

Now, the Jedis are the ones who deal with absolutes? No wonder even Master Obi Wan is blur whose side he's on...

But dun be so narrow la, 'embrace'... be inclusive lor... "a larger view"... broaden your mind to new ideas, man! Dun be fearful or alarmist like those folks who shoot at everything that moves! Study all its aspects, including the Dark Side... sigh... Yoda obviously didn't innoculate young Anakin about those 'stories' of Darth Plagueis! So the Dark Side becomes that tantalising 'great mystery' waiting to be explored and embraced...)