1. Introduction

Greetings, students, and welcome to Force Philosophy I. This course aims to help you attain a better understanding of the nature of the Force by showing you various aspects of it, including philosophical views and methods for enhancing one’s connection to it.

Some say the Force controls us, whereas others state the opposite. In a weird twist of reality, both of these statements are true. It is indeed possible to have a certain degree of control over the Force, since if we did not, we would not be able to wield it. But the Force can also control us. This is especially true in those who adhere to their emotions and fall victim to the Dark Side of the Force.

Before we begin to study the Force, we have to ask ourselves one question: what is it? While debates as to its nature are innumerable, the fact that the Force exists cannot be disputed. In its broadest sense, the Force is an energy field that flows through all living things, which is why it is important for both Light and Dark Side practitioners to learn all they can about it.

2. Using the Force

2.1 Terminology

2.1.1 Force Sensitivity

Even though the Force flows through all beings in this galaxy, only a few can be called “Force sensitive.” This sensitivity to the Force is measured by the number of microbes known as midi-chlorians present in the cells of a particular being. The higher a being's midi-chlorian count, the higher its sensitivity to the Force. A being with a high enough Force sensitivity will be able to learn how to access the Force and use it in certain ways. Traditionally, 5,000 midi-chlorians per cell is believed to be a rough “border” between the ability to use the Force and the lack thereof. In most circumstances, a being with < 5,000 midi-chlorians per cell is considered non-Force-sensitive, even though their midi-chlorian count is high enough to allow them to have a presence in the Force.

2.1.2 Force Potential

Every being with midi-chlorians has a “Force potential.” This means they are detectable to skilled users of the Force utilizing their power, as anyone with Force potential will leave a “presence” in the Force.

Force potential is the natural affinity of every living being in this galaxy towards the Force. It is one of the best arguments for the belief that the Force is, as some have said, "an energy field that permeates all living matter and connects us all" and that it isn't just there for those who can utilise it. This allows us to indirectly “see” and detect living organic beings through the Force, while we are unable to detect droids.

2.1.3 Force Severance

Force severance is not a natural occurrence but a conscious manipulation by a being. That is to say, Force severance must be caused by either a conscious act or by repressing a traumatic event. To a Force-sensitive, it feels similar to losing a limb or a sense, but it can hide non-Force-sensitives from detection by Force-sensitives.

There has been little to no scientific research performed on this specific topic. However, we can theoretically state that Force Severance is the ability to disconnect one's midi-chlorians from the energy field known as the Force. This would mean that the Force would no longer flow through that individual and that the Force would, theoretically, simply move past them as though they were not there.

2.1.4 Force Disconnection

Force disconnection is quite similar to Force severance. The difference is that disconnection affects entire races or species rather than a single individual.

To be disconnected from the Force is a very unsettling thing for a single person to experience; the effect of being cut off as an entire race could have a traumatic and destabilizing effect on a society. As with Force severance, there is a certain mysticism or taboo connected to the study of it. Force-sensitive beings don’t like to think about such things and thus little is known.

Luckily, we can examine at least one case of this affliction.

• Case Study: The Horizons Event
  

In 30 ABY, a strange illness struck the Brotherhood. This affliction was later identified as “Thren’s Horizon Plague” (THP). It was also known under the name “Bogan’s Caress”. To discover more about this ailment, we need to consider its origins. First documented in 25,799 BBY, THP was not a naturally occurring phenomenon. Rather, it was created by a fallen Jedi turned Sith.

XoXaan was one of twelve Jedi who delved into the Dark Side many years ago. Exiled for this crime, XoXaan and her fellows discovered the world of Korriban and enslaved the native Sith species who lived there. XoXaan was considered to be a great healer, which led to her experiments with great diseases affecting the Sith species. Together with her students, she perfected a viral-protogenic plague. As would any master of the Dark Side, however, XoXaan grew wary of one of her apprentices, Lysu Thren. She banished him with some of his followers, and they eventually ended up on Drongar. Thren died of injuries, and his remains were entombed there. What nobody knew was that his corpse had been impregnated with THP-cysts. Preserved by the Dark Side, the last remnants of THP remained on Drongar, all but forgotten.

This illness truly shows the great knowledge as well as the viciousness of the early Darksiders. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: raving madness, homicidal mania, hallucinations, seizures, sores, flu-like symptoms, convulsions, diarrhea, emotional fluctuations, schizophrenia, fever, chills, egomania, catatonic depression, eczema, cardiovascular stress, swollen lymph nodes, impotence and heart palpitations.

Unifying symptoms are a loss of Force connection, rage, immunity to pain and shock, ensuing madness and enhancement of physical abilities before death. The disease also acts as an energy sink of sorts, depending on the victim’s power within the Force. Victims also feel an immediate need to regain their connection and communion with the Force, a desperation verging on psychotic behavior. The need increases in intensity as time goes on. The main effects of THP illustrates its intended goal perfectly. This disease was made to destroy large amounts of Force users.

With an incubation period of just under 24 hours, this illness is lethal within 3-4 weeks (if left untreated). It is the perfect biological weapon to wipe out all Force users that come into contact with it.

Luckily for us, a cure was created in 30 ABY by master alchemist Macron Goura Sadow. This cure is known only to the Brotherhood and can be spread in the same way as the disease can, by injection as well as by close contact to someone who was injected with it.

2.2 Midi-chlorians

Midi-chlorians are intelligent microscopic life forms that inhabit the cells of all living beings in our galaxy and serve as organelles within those cells. They exist in a symbiotic relationship with the beings they inhabit and form a collective consciousness amongst themselves. They are, as stated before, present in all forms of life and thus isomorphic on every world that supports life. In fact, midi-chlorians are necessary for life to exist. These organisms allowed the symbiont to connect to the pervasive energy field known simply as the Force.

When present in sufficient numbers, the midi-chlorians allowed their symbiont to detect the Force. This connection could be strengthened by silencing one's mind, thus allowing the midi-chlorians to "speak" to their symbiont and communicate the will of the Force. While some medical theories state that midi-chlorians created the link between macroscopic organisms and the Force, others (namely the Jedi) believed that the midi-chlorians were created by the Force to serve as link between it and other life.

Midi-chlorians could be influenced by the Force to create new life, a technique developed by Darth Plagueis. It was even possible for midi-chlorians to induce conception in a being; Anakin Skywalker was believed to have been conceived by midi-chlorians, with no biological father. However, many consider this theory impossible.

3. Views on the Force

Now that we have discussed the scientific basis of the Force, examined some of the basic terminology and seen how the force is introduced into day to day life, we can look at several philosophical views of the Force that have arisen over time. These are not specific view: for that, I refer you to part two of this course. Here we will discuss some of the bigger, overshadowing views on the Force. To some, these views are nearly religious in nature, and thus the debate surrounding them can equal a religious debate in intensity. Ultimately, it is a basic difference in philosophical view between Jedi and Sith that has resulted in a history of conflict.

3.1 Divisions in the Force

The Force is generally divided into two leading aspects: the Light Side and the Dark Side.The two aspects are concerned with the morality guiding the Force and its user.

The Light Side of the Force is aligned with compassion, courage, healing, benevolence and protection. The Dark Side of the Force is aligned with hatred, fear, aggression, malevolence, betrayal and power.

Even though the Force is categorised in this way, there are no special abilities or powers that can only be used by an adherent of a specific path. The Force exists inside the life forms using it and draws energy from their emotions.

3.2 Balance of the Force

The concept of balance in the Force and, more particularly, the fact that the Force seemed out of balance was of more importance to the Unifying Force adherents than to the followers of the Living Force. Because of the Prophecy of the Chosen One, the Jedi believed a vessel of Pure Force would be born in the future to restore balance to the Force. It was believed that the restoration of balance would occur by the Chosen One destroying the Dark Side.

The Force, or more accurately the conflict between Sith and Jedi, was first knocked out of balance when the Jedi Order swore allegiance to the Republic and became an institution in Republican society. From this point in time, the Light Side became dominant and its adherents became protectors, knights and respectable citizens. The Dark Side, the opponents of the Jedi throughout history, became despised. Adherents of the Dark Side came to be seen as monsters, outlaws and criminals. They became the margin of Republican society and would be fought in many conflicts and wars for the simple fact that the Jedi considered them evil.

3.3 The Jedi Code

Jedi such as Obi-Wan Kenobi took comfort in the recitation of the Jedi’s ancient code. Another alternate code also existed. Its wording differed slightly, being taught to students in their Initiate Trials. It was also recited by Depa Billaba when she awoke from her coma. Both are printed below:

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.

Initiate’s Code

Emotion, yet peace.

Ignorance, yet knowledge.

Passion, yet serenity.

Chaos, yet harmony.

Death, yet the Force.

3.4 Aspects of the Force

One of two aspects of the Force is the Living Force. It was fed from the energy of living things and made the Force Ghost phenomenon possible. The Living Force stresses the importance of living in the here and the now, rather than letting future anxiety overcome oneself. Qui-Gon Jinn was a student of the Living Force.

By comparison, the Cosmic Force was the aspect of the Force that bound everything together. The Cosmic Force was fed through the energy fed into it by the Living Force. Yoda learned that this aspect of the Force permitted him to communicate with Qui-Gon Jinn through midi-chlorians. The Cosmic Force became dormant following the Galactic Civil War. It appeared to have quieted to those who could sense its presence. Later turbulence within the Cosmic Force coincided with the awakening of latent Force potential within individuals, including Rey.

4. Force Enhancement

First, a note: there is no such thing as a “Force power.” As a person is trained to utilize the Force, he or she learns to do specific things with the Force. Though some Force users seem to have inherent dispositions towards certain abilities (such as healing or combat), all Force users can master abilities beyond the scope of a normal person. They may also use naturally occurring or artificially produced items to enhance their Force abilities.

A lot of things can enhance one's perception of the Force, including certain drugs, artifacts and high-level alchemy. First, crystals such as the kyber crystals of legend, can increase a person's direct connection to the Force. Others, such as special lightsaber crystals, help not only increase the power of the blade, but also a wielder’s connection to the blade.

Next, there are artifacts and alchemically created reagents. Ancient Sith Lords were known to wear ritual jewelry or amulets; many of these pieces enhanced or otherwise altered the user’s connection to the Force, in addition to serving as personal decoration. Many times, these objects would be created for a singular reason or person and might even have crystals embedded in them to further heighten their effects. Ancient and even modern Sith have also been known to use temples and other architecture to enhance abilities or powers.

5. Conclusion

In this course, we have discussed the main terminology of the Force and certain scientific avenues to understanding the Force, reviewed the basic philosophical views regarding the Force, briefly touched on “Force Powers” and went over a list and guide to handling enhancement tools. This course was created to provide information about the Force and to give an insight into its inner workings. How you choose to wield it is up to you.

The preceding information was compiled from previous versions of this course, as well as from Wookieepedia, theforce.net and the DJBWiki. Information on abilities were derived from the Character Sheet information. Many thanks to all the people who supplied the information used in the creation of this course. (A special word of thanks goes to Macron for helping make sense of Thren’s Horizons Plague.) The latest update was done by Zachary O’Maille. If in your studies you find any information that you believe this course may benefit from, feel free to share it with the professor so we may further build this repository of knowledge.

May Darkness guide your path.