On the official forums, Lead Writer for Star Wars: The Old Republic Daniel Erickson confronts the continuous question about the Sith philosophy – Are these guys evil or not? According to Mr. Erickson there is no doubt that Sith are in fact evil: “We can get into endless philosophical discussions about whether anything is actually evil or actually good but if we are speaking from our modern, western view on the concept of evil then the Sith clearly qualify.” 292u5x
However this does not meen that the Sith themselves look at it this way. The Sith see the republic as weak, without strong leadership and basically a bunch of mindless lemmings.
Daniel Erickson also states that role players that chooses the Sith faction, has plenty of options to play as ambivalent or even helpful, should they choose to do so.
Here is his post:
Hey Folks,
First of all, let me say that I love this thread. It always makes me smile to see people really digging into the setting and thinking about how it works together. created and maintains their hierarchy and strange form of order. And you’re going to make a choice about how much or how little of it your character wants to believe. Then you’re going to start making choices. That’s when it gets hard.
Hope that helps!
Daniel
Personally I think he’s wrong. This whole Sith thing is an incomplete philosophy if it’s supposed to dark side. Most Sith are of this category in practice. So the distinction is whether you choose to be a Sith or are made one by circumstance.
It takes great strength of will to be a good person, wilfully give yourself to the SWTOR. If Revan had not done what he did the Jedi wouldn’t be half as bad ass as they are 3 centuries later. The Sith would have routed them rather than merely given them a sound kick in the balls.
It really isn’t about the weak holding people back. It is that the weak will be stronger if left to fend for themselves and presented with challenge rather than being coddled by the strong. True Sith believe that it is a great gift they are giving to these people. Revan believed, probably correctly, he was giving them survival itself.
In the end though all of the Sith.
The Jedi search for purity is ultimately self defeating. It creates the very monsters they seek to destroy. Worse it makes the monsters right. Peace destroys the drive for peace.
The Sith search for strength is also self defeating. It makes their enemies powerful and it also encourages in fighting amongst the order. Strength destroys the drive for strength.
Another thing to consider. Jedi seek primarily balance in the force. They have at times done some horrific things to achieve this. They have wiped out races that they considered anathema to the force. Skywalker considered doing this with the Vong until he decided that the Vong were not an imperfection in the force, only that their understanding of the force was imperfect.
Usually the ‘balance in the force’ imperative is aligned with good because the dark side can cause evil. However the likelihood is the Jedi would wipe out a Sith community even if they could guarantee they would not run rampage around the galaxy. The Jedi do not persecute the Sith because they seek to conquer civilisation. They do it because the Sith unbalance the force. Whether or not the Sith are monsters from the civilised perspective is a mere technicality.
Alright. I’ve used up my Star Wars arguing for the decade. See all y’all in 2021
