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Possible Duplicate:
Why did the Jedi want to bring balance to the Force?

As common sense says, Force will be in balance if there exists both sides of force (including dark side of force). Jedi always wanted to bring balance to the force. But, they didn't want to drop chance of killing a Sith. Isn't killing a Sith a way to imbalance force?
What does exactly "Bring Balance to the Force" mean?

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    Your question is a bit vague. What precisely did you find unsatisfying in the answers to the question you link to?
    – user56
    Jan 8, 2012 at 19:49
  • I read only accepted answer of linked question before asking..
    – Ragnarok
    Jan 8, 2012 at 22:16
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    This question is different..
    – Ragnarok
    Jan 8, 2012 at 22:17
  • I don't see how this question is different from the previous one, so I'm closing it as a duplicate. If you want it reopened, point out the differences.
    – user56
    Jan 8, 2012 at 22:18
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    I can drag it to Meta as you're unable to understand the difference between "Why" & "What" (Plus, 'what' is applied to meaning of target). But, why should I bother as I've got the answer... Thanks for the delay before closing!
    – Ragnarok
    Jan 8, 2012 at 22:28

1 Answer 1

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(This is a basically a copy-paste of this answer I already provided to the linked question, the question itself may not be an exact duplicate, but I feel this answer completely answer this question)


What the Jedi Order call "balance" is not the middle point between dark and light side, its the absence of Dark Side use:

Traditional Jedi were keen to keep the Force "in balance". They attempted to achieve this by destroying the Sith and denying the dark side—essentially "keeping balance" by restoring the Force to its natural state, as they viewed the dark side as "corruption".
- Wookieepedia article about "The Force" section "The Jedi Order" paragraph 2

Also, about the Chosen One prophecy:

The idea of balance of the Force, a central tenet of the Jedi Order, refers to the ideal state in which the Force exists in nature, i.e. as the light side. The presence of the dark side corrupts and destroys this natural balance, and the Jedi viewed it as their duty to restore it.
- Wookieepedia article about the "Chosen One"

Finally as for George Lucas' intention:

Many fans incorrectly assume that balance refers to an equal mix of both light and dark side users. However, as George Lucas explains in the introductory documentary for the VHS version A New Hope, Special Edition, this is not the case:

"[...] Which brings us up to the films 4, 5, and 6, in which Anakin's offspring redeem him and allow him to fulfill the prophecy where he brings balance to the Force by doing away with the Sith and getting rid of evil in the universe..."

In an interview, Lucas compared the difference between the light and dark sides as being like the difference between a symbiotic relationship and a cancer. A symbiotic relationship is one which benefits both parties and in which neither is harmed, whereas a cancer takes without giving back, eventually causing the death of both parties
- Wookieepedia article about the "Chosen One", Section "Behind the scenes"

Update : On a side note, I just watch the French translation of The Phantom Menace with my son and the "bring balance to the Force" concept was translated to "restaurer l'harmonie dans la Force" (to restore the harmony to the Force). This is one of the unusual case where the intended concept had a better translation than the original.

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  • Thanks.. Your answer may not good for that question, but perfect for this one.. :)
    – Ragnarok
    Jan 8, 2012 at 22:08
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    The above Wookieepedia citations contain false information. The balance of the Force does not refer to the light side alone. It is a balance between the light and dark sides. The mere presence of the dark side does not disrupt the balance; in fact, it is necessary for balance. Both sides are part of the natural state of the Force. On a related note, Lucas never referred to the dark side as a cancer. He only used a cancer analogy to characterize the unhealthy interpersonal dynamic between the Sith. Sep 16, 2015 at 2:14

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