New Column: Ask A Jedi!

Yes, we realize the name of our site is Ask A Jedi – The idea is that Jedi are very wise and knowing about the ways of all things in the galaxy. However, we wanted to take it a step further and create a place where you could literally ask a Jedi something that’s on your mind!

Since we don’t have an actual Jedi available to us, we went and got the next best thing. If you spend any time on the official Star Wars: The Old Republic forums, you are sure to have seen his passion and prose regarding all things Jedi. You know him as Professor Walsh.

Each week (or thereabouts,) Professor Walsh will answer a few reader-submitted questions in order to enlighten us all with the ways of the Jedi. To kick off this inaugural column, we decided to start with a few common questions that come up frequently, and hopefully provide some answers (or at least spur more discussion!) Enjoy!

Dear Jedi,

Why do the Sith only deal in absolutes? Does that mean that the Jedi can’t have yes and no questions? If I ask a Jedi if the water is on, and it is, is he going to answer “maybe” to me?

– Indecisive Jedi Annoy Me

Dear Indecisive,

This comment is often taken out of context. What Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi meant by his comment was specifically referring to Anakin’s flawed logic around the idea that “You are either with me or are trying to kill me.” It is possible to be against someone, without wanting to kill them, and this is what Obi-Wan was referring to.

Dear Jedi,

What is the deal with the Jedi and the “there is no emotion” line? My friend says that the Jedi seek to be emotionless droids.

– Student of the Sith

Dear Student,

This is again a case where people don’t understand what they are talking about. This line is from the Jedi Code, a series of phrases that are not meant to be taken literally. The Code has a specific in-universe definition and explanation that all Jedi are taught. The line, “There is no Emotion, there is Peace” simply means that the Jedi seek to not allow emotions to control or influence their actions or decisions, it does not mean that they try to live without having emotions as your friend falsely believes.

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Dear 1337,

I had to get C-3P0 over her to translate that, and he says that you asked:

“I want to [defeat] newbies and be an uber elite Jedi Knight and use the Dark Side and the Light Side. Can I do this?”

Not really. While game mechanics may actually allow this, and it was used in KoTOR I, II, and Jedi Academy, such things simply do not happen in lore. Even minor uses of the Dark Side result inevitably in mental instability in the Star Wars universe. Even Jaden Korr, the protagonist from the Jedi Academy game, was suffering from some issues in the novel “Crosscurrent” where he was finding it difficult to control his Force use and found Force Lightning coming to his hands unbidden more than once.

Do you have a question for our Jedi-in-residence, Professor Walsh? Submit it via the form below, and we’ll be sure to pass it along to him when he emerges from meditation.