“Only Sith deal in absolutes” A Philosophical Approach—DeMarco Banter

PODCAST on “Only Sith deal in absolutes” below

The conflict between the Sith and the Jedi is the central narrative in the “Star Wars” saga, representing a profound philosophical and moral battle between two opposing forces. The Jedi, champions of balance, peace, and wisdom, stand against the Sith, who are driven by power, passion, and the pursuit of absolute control. This dichotomy is not just about light versus dark but also reflects deeper themes of moral and cognitive flexibility versus rigid absolutism.

Historically, the Sith were originally a species that was later joined and led by fallen Jedi who were seduced by the allure of the dark side of the Force, a path that promises power through anger, fear, and hatred. The Sith philosophy emphasizes strength, dominance, and the pursuit of personal power and ambition, often at the expense of others. In contrast, the Jedi Order, dating back thousands of years, upholds self-discipline, service, and a commitment to the “greater good”, valuing harmony and the interconnectedness of all life.

The Jedi’s belief in balance and nuance sharply contrasts with the Sith’s absolutist worldview. This difference is epitomized in Obi-Wan Kenobi’s famous line from Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith: “Only a Sith deals in absolutes.” The quote critiques the Sith’s rigid, black-and-white thinking, underscoring the dangers of inflexibility and the refusal to acknowledge the complexity of reality. Understanding why absolute thinking is tied to the Sith’s negativity or “evil” offers valuable insights into leadership, ethics, and conflict, both in fictional settings and the real world.

Philosophical Context:

Relativism vs. Absolutism: The quote highlights the dangers of absolutist thinking, which sees the world in binary terms—right versus wrong, good versus evil, with no room for compromise or differing perspectives. It suggests that such dealing is inflexible and often leads to conflict and division.
Cognitive Flexibility: By criticizing absolute thinking, the quote promotes cognitive flexibility—the ability to adapt one’s thinking in the face of new evidence or differing viewpoints. This is crucial in leadership, strategy, and decision-making, where understanding the full spectrum of possibilities can lead to better outcomes.
Moral and Ethical Implications: In ethical discussions, absolutes can lead to dogmatic stances that dismiss alternative moral viewpoints. By suggesting that only the Sith deals this way, the quote implies that such rigid thinking is associated with negative, destructive behavior.
Application in Real Life: In real-world contexts, such as politics, leadership, and conflict resolution, dealing in absolutes can hinder dialogue and negotiation. It can create an “us versus them” mentality that is counterproductive to collaboration and understanding.

Sith vs Jedi beliefs?

Jedi Code:

There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.

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.

The beliefs of the Sith and Jedi are fundamentally opposed, representing two distinct philosophies regarding power, morality, and the nature of the Force. Below is a comparison of their core beliefs that highlight the key differences between these two orders:

1. Nature of the Force

Jedi: The Jedi see the Force as a unifying energy that binds all living things. They believe in balance, harmony, and using the Force for good, emphasizing self-discipline, control, and service to others.
Sith: The Sith view the Force primarily as a tool for personal power and domination. They focus on the dark side of the Force, which they believe is stronger because it draws on raw emotions like anger, fear, and hatred.

2. Philosophy on Power

Jedi: Power is seen as a responsibility that should be used to protect and serve. Jedi strive to maintain peace and act selflessly, using their abilities to uphold justice and the common good.
Sith: Power is the ultimate goal and a means of achieving freedom and dominance. The Sith embrace a survival-of-the-fittest mentality, where power is pursued for personal gain and to control others.

3. Emotion and Passion

Jedi: Jedi practice detachment from strong emotions to avoid being controlled by them. They seek to master their feelings through meditation and discipline, maintaining a calm and rational mindset to make wise decisions.
Sith: The Sith embrace their emotions, especially anger, passion, and ambition, seeing them as sources of strength. They believe that suppressing emotions is a weakness and that embracing one’s true desires leads to power and fulfillment.

4. Moral Absolutes vs. Relativism

Jedi: The Jedi operate within a strict moral code that values life, compassion, and selflessness. They believe in a higher ethical standard that transcends individual desires, prioritizing the needs of the galaxy over personal ambition.
Sith: The Sith reject conventional morality, believing that right and wrong are subjective. They see ethical boundaries as limitations imposed by the weak and instead adhere to their personal code, where the end justifies the means.

5. Approach to Conflict and Violence

Jedi: Jedi avoid conflict whenever possible, seeking diplomatic solutions before resorting to violence. They view their lightsabers as symbols of defense, used only when necessary to protect others or restore balance.
Sith: The Sith are not averse to conflict; they see it as a natural and necessary means of proving strength and achieving goals. Violence, manipulation, and intimidation are considered valid tools to assert control and dominance.

6. Legacy and the Continuity of Leadership

Jedi: Jedi leadership is based on mentorship, wisdom, and experience, with the transfer of knowledge occurring through mutual respect and a commitment to the Order’s ideals. Masters train apprentices to continue the Jedi tradition in service of the greater good.
Sith: Sith leadership is driven by the Rule of Two: one master and one apprentice. This dynamic is rooted in treachery, as the apprentice is expected to eventually overthrow the master, ensuring that only the strongest survive. The Sith value cunning, betrayal, and ruthless ambition in leadership transitions.

7. Views on Peace and Order

Jedi: The Jedi value peace and work to maintain order in the galaxy. They see themselves as guardians of the Republic and believe that true peace comes from balance, understanding, and cooperation among beings.
Sith: The Sith believe that true order can only be achieved through control and fear. They see peace as an illusion, preferring to impose their version of order through force and domination, often resulting in tyranny and oppression.

8. Attachment and Relationships

Jedi: Jedi are discouraged from forming attachments, as they believe attachments can lead to fear of loss, which in turn can lead to the dark side. Love, while not forbidden, is approached with caution, emphasizing a universal, selfless love rather than personal attachments.
Sith: The Sith encourage attachments but often in a possessive and self-serving way. They view relationships as another means of gaining power, manipulating others to serve their ends, or leveraging personal connections to strengthen their position.

9. Legacy and Knowledge

Jedi: The Jedi seek to preserve knowledge and pass down wisdom through generations. They value history, learning, and teaching as ways to better understand the Force and to help future Jedi.
Sith: The Sith hoard knowledge, often keeping secrets even from their own apprentices. They see knowledge as power, something to be kept and used for personal advantage, not shared or preserved for the collective good.

10. Destiny and Choice

Jedi: The Jedi believe in the importance of choice and free will, emphasizing that individuals can shape their own destinies through their actions. They trust in the Force to guide them, but ultimately see each being as responsible for their decisions.
Sith: The Sith often view destiny as something to be controlled and bent to their will. They reject the idea of submitting to a higher power, instead believing that they alone are the masters of their fate, using their strength and cunning to achieve their desired outcomes.

Dealing in absolutes

Dealing in absolutes is considered negative or “evil” in contexts like the Sith in “Star Wars” because it fosters a mindset that is inflexible, intolerant, and often destructive. Absolute thinking is often seen as harmful or aligned with negative traits, especially in the context of leadership, strategy, and ethics:

1. Lack of Flexibility and Adaptability

Absolute thinking leaves no room for adaptation or change. It creates a rigid mindset that resists new information, differing perspectives, or changing circumstances. In leadership and decision-making, this rigidity can prevent effective responses to complex problems, leading to poor outcomes.

2. Polarization and Conflict

Absolutist thinking divides the world into binary oppositions: good versus evil, right versus wrong. This black-and-white view fosters polarization, where opposing sides see each other as enemies, not just competitors or different perspectives. Such division can escalate conflicts, as compromise or mutual understanding becomes nearly impossible.

3. Suppression of Dialogue and Critical thinking

When one deals in absolutes, it often results in the suppression of dialogue and critical thinking. It shuts down debate, as one side is seen as entirely correct and the other as completely wrong. This attitude can lead to dogmatism and the dismissal of alternative viewpoints, stifling creativity, innovation, and progress.

4. Moral Certainty and Self-Righteousness

Absolute thinking often hold a strong sense of moral certainty that their perspective is the only correct one. This self-righteousness can justify extreme actions in the name of what is perceived as “good,” leading to ethical violations and harmful behaviors. The Sith, for example, believe in their right to impose their will, seeing it as necessary for their vision of order and power.

5. Dehumanization of Others

Absolutist thinking can lead to dehumanizing those who do not conform to one’s beliefs. It reduces people to labels (good or evil, friend or foe), which can justify mistreatment, exclusion, or even violence. This dehumanization is a hallmark of Sith ideology, where opponents are seen as obstacles to be removed rather than individuals with their own valid perspectives.

6. Resistance to Growth and Learning

Embracing absolutes means shutting down the capacity for personal growth and learning. It prevents self-reflection, acknowledgment of mistakes, and the willingness to evolve one’s beliefs over time. This stasis can be detrimental to personal and organizational development, as it denies the complex, dynamic nature of reality.

7. Manipulation and Control

In the hands of leaders or organizations, absolute thinking can be a tool of manipulation and control. By framing issues in stark, simplistic terms, leaders can rally followers through fear, anger, or false certainty. This tactic is frequently employed by authoritarian regimes or radical groups, including the Sith, who use absolutes to justify control and dominance.

Overall, dealing in absolutes aligns with the Sith as it embodies a destructive, divisive, and controlling mindset that opposes the ideals of balance, dialogue, and understanding. It stands in contrast to approaches that value complexity, empathy, and the recognition that truth often lies between extremes.

What Does This Mean for Us Today?

In our modern context, dealing in absolutes is not confined to the realm of fiction. We see it manifested in political, social, and personal arenas, where rigid beliefs often polarize societies, stifle dialogue, and prevent collaboration. The rise of “us vs. them” mentalities, where individuals or groups view their perspectives as entirely right and opposing views as fundamentally wrong, mirrors the Sith’s approach to power and control. This mindset can create barriers to understanding, dehumanize opponents, and escalate conflicts, whether in personal relationships, organizational dynamics, or global geopolitics.

Are We Dealing in Absolutes?

Polarized Politics: Modern political discourse often mirrors the Sith’s absolutist mindset, where compromise is seen as weakness, and opposing viewpoints are demonized. This polarization erodes the middle ground, making it difficult to find common solutions to complex problems.
Social Media Echo Chambers: Social media amplifies absolute thinking by creating echo chambers where individuals are exposed mainly to viewpoints that reinforce their beliefs. This can deepen divisions and reduce our ability to empathize with or even listen to differing perspectives.
Cultural and Ideological Wars: In cultural and ideological battles, there is often a tendency to simplify issues into binary terms—good vs. bad, right vs. wrong—without appreciating the nuances that exist. This simplification can fuel conflict, reduce understanding, and create a zero-sum mentality.
Personal and Professional Conflicts: In leadership and organizational contexts, absolute thinking can manifest as rigid hierarchies, resistance to change, and a refusal to acknowledge diverse perspectives. This mindset can stifle innovation and prevent effective problem-solving.

Moving Beyond Absolutes

To counter the pull of absolutist thinking, we can draw lessons from the Jedi’s commitment to balance, dialogue, and the recognition that truth often lies in the gray areas. Embracing complexity, practicing empathy, and being open to changing our minds in the face of new evidence are essential steps in fostering a healthier, more collaborative environment.

By recognizing the dangers of absolute thinking in our lives, we can strive to be more like the Jedi—open to dialogue, mindful of our biases, and committed to seeking understanding rather than dominance. In a world increasingly divided by absolutist mindsets, the ability to see beyond extremes and value the richness of diverse perspectives is not just wise; it is necessary for creating a more just, peaceful, and interconnected world.