The average Padawan wasn't taught that killing other beings was the best way to solve problems. Clearly, negotiation and reason are the first option during the days of the "civilized" Republic. In TPM, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent as the Chancellor's "ambassadors" to the Trade Federation, not as a police or military force- to discussl a removal of the blockade.

In AOTC, Mace Windu states firmly that the Jedi are "not soldiers". What else can he mean by this than that Jedi are different? They don't do what soldiers do. And what do soldiers do? They use the tools, equipment, and abilities they have to accomplish their missions, usually in a violent way. Then they rationalize that any collateral damage is an unfortunate, but necessary part of the process- the classic "end justifying the means" philosophy.

But in contrast we have the Jedi. A warrior priesthood who avoids the fight. Beings who are potentially incredibly powerful, through the Force, but who allow themselves its use strictly for "knowledge and defence, never for attack".

What if the Jedi were more aggressive than passive? Would this have been wrong? It certainly would have violated the Code. I can hear you, fellow bloggers. "That leads to the Dark Side!" you say. "It's not the Jedi Way!" you exclaim. I know, I know.

But think about this. If the Jedi had not become so complacent, so inward and passive, would the Sith ever been able to gather enough power to become a threat? If they had been more proactive, could disaster have been avoided?

If Anakin had obeyed "orders", and not been there to stop Windu from killing Sidious, would the Chosen One have turned to the Dark Side? Or would the Sith threat have been ended? Of course we'll never know...

In the climax of the series, we have Luke Skywalker, the last of the old Jedi and first of the new, victorious by being traditional- that is, passive. He is a "Jedi, like his father before him", standing before the Sith Lord defenseless, a champion of the Light. Wonderful! All is well!

But how many millions of beings would have had a better life (or stayed alive) had the Jedi been different?

I guess we wouldn't have had six great films and an incredible GFFA to explore, huh?

I eagerly await your comments.