Apr 3, 2024
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The Scientific Origins of Star Wars
by Celik Kayalar
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Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) bellies up to the bar in the new 'Solo' (2018) part of the 'Star War' series. image: G. LucasTHERE'S A THROUGH LINE FROM THE
great Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung to Han Solo, Princess Leia and Jaba the Hutt in George Lucas’s masterpiece movie-saga, the “Star Wars”.
Dr. Carl Jung, an early protege of Sigmund Freud who later broke with him, inspired Professor Joseph Campbell of “Follow Your Bliss” fame, as well as the author of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” (1949) and “The Hero’s Journey” (1990), and the star of “The Power of Myth” (TV Series with Bill Moyers, 1988).
The famed filmmaker George Lucas was, in turn, inspired by Professor Campbell in creating his “Star Wars” saga (Lucas Films, Northern California, now owned by Disney, Hollywood). Indeed, Lucas has noted many times that his script drew heavily the “hero's journey” story.
The hero’s path is generally thought to go like this: call to adventure, supernatural aid, mentor/helper, challenges/temptations, the abyss, revelation/transformation/atonement, and return.
Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) at age 49. image: B.S. WiseAlthough I discussed this on July 18, 2020 at my WebSeries’ Facebook site [Facebook.com/TheTraffick/], I’m revisiting this fascinating and a now archetypal insight here, while adding a new wrinkle.
Jung is the father of the original idea of “collective conscience,” which led to his proposal of “archetypes,” such as hero, trickster, shadow, etc, which he thinks exist in every culture throughout history. Being a big Jung fan myself, I started thinking about the possible connection between the concept of collective conscience and the “universal grammar” idea of the distinguished linguist and MIT professor, Noam Chomsky, who happens to be a friend.
Both ideas are universal. Hence, I thought they could be rooted in the DNA of all humans, regardless of culture, geography and history (i.e. innate or nature, not nurture). In other words, both collective conscience and universal grammar could have the same basis in the human brain’s physiology and biology, which evolved through a common Darwinian natural selection process.
When I mentioned this idea to Chomsky about two years ago, he was very intrigued; said he never thought of it; nor was it ever pointed out to him before. Surprised by his admission, I attributed his disconnect mainly to his well-known aversion to “Hollywood” as well as mysticism in general.
Painting portraying Jung and his life by author Celik Kayalar. image: C. KayalarI believe this Jung-Chomsky connection is worth exploring further by linguists, evolutionary psychologist, psychiatrists, philosophers, and even artists and filmmakers.
Much to be done; many bridges to be built.
Celik Kayalar is a PhD. bioscientist as well as filmmaker, painter and educator, who runs Film Acting Bay Area in Berkeley, California. You can learn more about him here or reach him .
Posted on Feb 23, 2022 - 01:35 PM
by Celik Kayalar
Please support our stories by liking articles—thanks!
Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) bellies up to the bar in the new 'Solo' (2018) part of the 'Star War' series. image: G. Lucasgreat Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Carl Jung to Han Solo, Princess Leia and Jaba the Hutt in George Lucas’s masterpiece movie-saga, the “Star Wars”.
Dr. Carl Jung, an early protege of Sigmund Freud who later broke with him, inspired Professor Joseph Campbell of “Follow Your Bliss” fame, as well as the author of “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” (1949) and “The Hero’s Journey” (1990), and the star of “The Power of Myth” (TV Series with Bill Moyers, 1988).
The famed filmmaker George Lucas was, in turn, inspired by Professor Campbell in creating his “Star Wars” saga (Lucas Films, Northern California, now owned by Disney, Hollywood). Indeed, Lucas has noted many times that his script drew heavily the “hero's journey” story.
The hero’s path is generally thought to go like this: call to adventure, supernatural aid, mentor/helper, challenges/temptations, the abyss, revelation/transformation/atonement, and return.
Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) at age 49. image: B.S. WiseJung is the father of the original idea of “collective conscience,” which led to his proposal of “archetypes,” such as hero, trickster, shadow, etc, which he thinks exist in every culture throughout history. Being a big Jung fan myself, I started thinking about the possible connection between the concept of collective conscience and the “universal grammar” idea of the distinguished linguist and MIT professor, Noam Chomsky, who happens to be a friend.
Both ideas are universal. Hence, I thought they could be rooted in the DNA of all humans, regardless of culture, geography and history (i.e. innate or nature, not nurture). In other words, both collective conscience and universal grammar could have the same basis in the human brain’s physiology and biology, which evolved through a common Darwinian natural selection process.
When I mentioned this idea to Chomsky about two years ago, he was very intrigued; said he never thought of it; nor was it ever pointed out to him before. Surprised by his admission, I attributed his disconnect mainly to his well-known aversion to “Hollywood” as well as mysticism in general.
Painting portraying Jung and his life by author Celik Kayalar. image: C. KayalarMuch to be done; many bridges to be built.
Celik Kayalar is a PhD. bioscientist as well as filmmaker, painter and educator, who runs Film Acting Bay Area in Berkeley, California. You can learn more about him here or reach him .
Posted on Feb 23, 2022 - 01:35 PM
