Jedi and Attachments
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2018 1:19 am
One of the more controversial things that is expected of Jedi is the requirement to eschew attachment. This has been variously thought to mean that Jedi are forbidden from marriage, sex, romance, friendship, pet ownership, and more. It has sometimes been thought to mean that Jedi lack compassion, as they are not allowed to feel anything for their fellow sentients. This is most certainly not the case.
Jedi are taught to eschew attachment because there is supposed to be one thing influencing a Jedi's actions: the Force. A Jedi is supposed to make decisions with a harmonious mind, free of emotion. Attachment gives emotion a lever by which it can exert influence on the Jedi; a Jedi who is worried for a friend or a loved one may make decisions based on that rather than the will of the Force. And a decision made in fear or in anger can start the Jedi down a truly dark path.
This is not to say that Jedi do not have attachments. Masters recognize that Jedi are not automatons. Many Jedi have friends, or other forms of less dangerous attachment. Some Jedi are even allowed to marry, whether because of a specific need for the species, or because the Jedi in question is able to handle the attachment without conflict.
If a Jedi is discovered to be in an attachment that is deemed problematic, or, even worse, conceals an attachment out of fear of discovery, various sorts of discipline may follow. Most commonly, the Jedi in question is counseled, in an attempt to reconcile the relationship with the Jedi Code. More severe attachments will involve temporary enforced separation and observation. In the most severe cases, the Jedi will be expelled from the order.
Jedi are taught to eschew attachment because there is supposed to be one thing influencing a Jedi's actions: the Force. A Jedi is supposed to make decisions with a harmonious mind, free of emotion. Attachment gives emotion a lever by which it can exert influence on the Jedi; a Jedi who is worried for a friend or a loved one may make decisions based on that rather than the will of the Force. And a decision made in fear or in anger can start the Jedi down a truly dark path.
This is not to say that Jedi do not have attachments. Masters recognize that Jedi are not automatons. Many Jedi have friends, or other forms of less dangerous attachment. Some Jedi are even allowed to marry, whether because of a specific need for the species, or because the Jedi in question is able to handle the attachment without conflict.
If a Jedi is discovered to be in an attachment that is deemed problematic, or, even worse, conceals an attachment out of fear of discovery, various sorts of discipline may follow. Most commonly, the Jedi in question is counseled, in an attempt to reconcile the relationship with the Jedi Code. More severe attachments will involve temporary enforced separation and observation. In the most severe cases, the Jedi will be expelled from the order.