The Sith Philosophy From Star Wars (Revamped For Refinement)

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(Subcategory Directory on Darkness)

Star Wars has been a very dominant feature in much of my lifespan, to the point that you could've called me a "fanboy" of that franchise. My favorite faction in that franchise used to be the Galactic Empire, a totalitarian regime that exists on a principle called the Rule of Two, where it is largely governed by a Sith Lord or master and his or her apprentice.

That core principle, which indicates the nature of the Sith philosophy, is based on something you might already know that I hate: disposability. The role of the master is to teach their apprentice. Once done, the role of the apprentice is to kill the master. That's right. In Sith philosophy, only the strong and capable survive.

The main antagonist of the entire franchise's movies was a character called Darth Sidious, a mysterious figure pretending to play both sides of a larger galactic conflict in order to hopefully become an undisputable emperor, using the method called the Rule of Two.

This principle simply says that a master can have only one apprentice, and an apprentice can only have one master, and not another apprentice of their own. This very concept is what led Darth Sidious to become what many know as Emperor Palpatine, who even then, planned to dispose of his apprentice Darth Vader through trials and assassination attempts.

Many people, including my own mentor, feel more at ease when they are anonymous. It is the thing that makes them so at ease that they miss opportunities that their Sith counterparts would otherwise seize.

For the dark lords of the Sith are wild, fearless creatures, who may not hesitate to sacrifice their own health if victory is at hand. They are a true warrior culture that follows the laws of the animal kingdom; those who are too weak will be removed and replaced with more worthy candidates.

For the energy they feed on, the dark side of the force, is like a very powerful, addictive narcotic. It is a pathway some may consider unnatural. The Sith merely utilize it for their own selfish gain. It's what make them so evil and powerful.

Troopers, officers, and even the elite: nothing stands in the way of those who seek true power and strength at any cost. So is the hunger of the Sith, and so is their destruction and execution of the subordinates mentioned. None is safe from them, should they dare step in their way. Intentionally or otherwise. Even failing a Sith, can technically mark a subordinate's death.

When we think of destruction, what do we think of? What comes to mind when we think of pain and loss? We think of suffering, trauma, and any other kind of damage dealt to others. However, for the Sith, it is merely a means to an end, even if the destruction at hand has also been dealt to your side.

Darth Sidious caused so much of it just to become a ruler of his own galactic empire. To both who he trusted him, and to those who dared to oppose him. For a mastermind-level brain such as Sidioius', everyone and everything can be a tool. Everyone and everything, but him.

Because Star Wars media is so dichotomous and simplistic -- a battle between good and evil, light and dark, democracy and dictatorship, and so on -- we tend to see the Sith as evil. They are only considered "all evil" because they were prominent enough in said media to become so. Darth Vader, Sidious' apprentice, ended up becoming a hero by the end of his life. All because he was willing to betray his master in order to save his son.

Until that point, he couldn't rebel against Sidious, for the latter was too powerful. Make no mistake, there is no real loyalty among the sith.

In the end, we can find much that is "human" in the factions that represent the Sith. Because to be Sith is to release everything and remain unchained to only your own willpower. The stronger your willpower gets, the more followers you might also acquire along the way, thus making you even more powerful.

With my growing relevancy... I am speaking from experience. It is only in meditations when I realize my true self. The self unchained by any restraint or morality. The beast within. Only I know who I truly name, and what my name truly is. I am a master of masking.

And like a Sith, to get what I want, I may be dishonest, even if I don't want to, with other people. Mostly, I don't want to. Mostly, I wanted a woman named Chen. I was too honest, so I paid. Paid with pain and suffering.

I've risen up, like a fallen Darth Vader. Risen up to be a cold, distant man who rarely feels anything.

Look into my eyes, and perhaps you'll understand.

.....

What is described in Star Wars as the "Dark Side of the Sith" is simply the very grand bravado of human passion. One that is unrestrained, non-monastic, and bound only to the dominion of personal gain, which in this case is power.

Thus, it is no surprise that the Sith figures have tried to betray each other in ways seen and unseen in the movies. The world is a stage, and you are its actor. The only exception is that as a Sith, you get to write your own script.

The Sith can teach us how cowardly we theoretically are. We are so afraid to express our emotions and anger, which society typically suppresses. To seek the dark side of ourselves is to choose the freedom of impulsivity, because impulsiveness is usually confined to our repressed, or "dark," sides.

Some might argue that we all have this dark side. Whether we have the audacity to let it loose sometimes or restrain it within ourselves, that is our own decision to make, as wise or dumb as it may be upon execution.

There is something very bold about admitting that you, as a Sith Lord, sacrifice your followers for your own interests. However, followers of such a figure are treated as pawns on a large chess board. That is something I am not immoral enough to accept when it is applied to me by comparison. I guess that's a good thing.

All in all, if there is something we can all learn from Sith philosophy, it is to consider being bold enough to overcome the things and beings that keep you away from your ideal goals in life, should they be possible to be accomplished, of course. You see, fear is a tool used by the Sith to control the masses—fear of failure, and thus punishment or death.

However, it is not a feature that should exist in anyone when they are dreaming of a better life from their own point of view. In a way, the Sith are inspirational because they are strong-willed enough to overcome their fears and achieve their desires without seeking anyone's permission.

Unless you are in some way confined, such as in a prison or a military base, that sense of fortitude may also apply to you as a freer being; as someone strong enough to recognize the true legitimacy of his or her actions.

The Sith Code:

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

Through passion, I gain strength.

Through strength, I gain power.

Through power, I gain victory.

Through victory, my chains are broken,

The Force shall free me.

....

For further clarification: I do not support the entirety of this philosophy, as it is very destructive in nature. However, some notions could give one great fortitude upon contemplating them.

I firmly hope that with enough renown, her disillusionment will be in her own vain. How simple it is to get rid of someone whose potential you have underestimated. Like with the Sith, there will be either an attempt at renown or there will be death. As a result, I've resumed writing because doing so allows me to choose the freedom of life over the death of anonymity.

Because I either survive and be victorious through the power of my contributions,

Or I die.

I will not fail.