Ethics of the Jedi Mind Trick

Brenna wrote: I wonder if there is such thing as against your will unless you are over powered physically or mentally forced or manipulated like with a mind trick where you might not be in control of your own thoughts.

Even when we give into coercion, peer pressure or encouragement, we've still made the choice to take that action.

Can a choice really be considered a choice if we aren't aware we have options?

steamboat28 wrote:

Brenna wrote: I wonder if there is such thing as against your will unless you are over powered physically or mentally forced or manipulated like with a mind trick where you might not be in control of your own thoughts.

Even when we give into coercion, peer pressure or encouragement, we've still made the choice to take that action.

Can a choice really be considered a choice if we aren't aware we have options?

I've always been of the opinion that we always have a choice, some options just have really bad consequences and thus aren't a good option to consider.

steamboat28 wrote:

Brenna wrote: I wonder if there is such thing as against your will unless you are over powered physically or mentally forced or manipulated like with a mind trick where you might not be in control of your own thoughts.

Even when we give into coercion, peer pressure or encouragement, we've still made the choice to take that action.

Can a choice really be considered a choice if we aren't aware we have options?

Unaware of options?

steamboat28 wrote:

Brenna wrote: I wonder if there is such thing as against your will unless you are over powered physically or mentally forced or manipulated like with a mind trick where you might not be in control of your own thoughts.

Even when we give into coercion, peer pressure or encouragement, we've still made the choice to take that action.

Can a choice really be considered a choice if we aren't aware we have options?

A choice can not be made if you are not aware. Being subconscious is a form of awareness. But making choices unaware (if possible) does not count as choice.

I skimmed the thread so I apologize if someone already brought this up, but it is called the Jedi mind trick, not Jedi mind control. As far as I know (I've only seen the movies so maybe someone has done this in the books or games), no Jedi has ever willed someone to do their bidding or something like that. Not to say a force user can't do that, but someone who has been properly trained as a Jedi doesn't do that. The trick is more of a suggestion or distraction. It's basically a more advanced version of the oldest trick in the book, "Ha! Madest thou look!" I love that commercial.

Anyway, I don't really see anything unethical about tricking someone like that. When Obi Wan told the Stormtrooper, "these aren't the droids you're looking for," he basically just lied to them convincingly. By that I mean that someone could have accomplished the same result by lying convincingly without the use of force powers and the trooper would've gone about his day. I think it becomes an ethical matter when someone uses the mind trick to get someone to do something bad like hurt someone else. If Obi Wan had said, "these aren't the droids you're looking for, now shoot your fellow stormtrooper," then I think there's a problem using it that way.

I think this would in fact be a power of the dark side of the force. However, a Jedi must do what is necessary.

To me a dominate person is in fact a weak mind, as they have failed to control the triggers of their emotions.

Implying the Jedi mind trick is a skillful one.

Hitira38 wrote: I think this would in fact be a power of the dark side of the force. However, a Jedi must do what is necessary.

Is that really true though? Strength of mind can lie in many different aspects.. a weak mind suggests a mind that does not think for itself (to me anyway).

I find in the end it depends on the results and intent. Its wrong to use manipulation for self interest or need to control if it harms another. If you do it for self interest and it harms none, its a grey area, neither good nor evil. But is it evil to manipulate another for self interest or need to dominate if it actually benefits the other? that's a tricky question.