The Force: Sentient or no?

[Flying-Emu]

An argument I had with a mate of mine. The Force from Star Wars is quite obviously a powerful... force... in the universe, but is it sentient? Does it think, does it feel?

On the one hand, the Force has the ability to control those who channel it, as well as be controlled. This implies some sort of intelligence, since thought or something similar is required for movement and manipulation of a mammal (or in some cases arthropods, lizards, etc.).

On the other hand, the Force does not control WHO channels it, be it for good, evil, or balance, which implies either lack of intelligence or apathy.

Thoughts?

 

[Cargando]

No, I think it is like an immense reserve of energy or power and some people can't handle it.

Incidentally, who was controlled by the Force?

 

[El Poncho]

*Boom*

Sorry that was my head exploding.

Eh I guess it's not sentinent, it just does it or maybe the force is representing god in some way saying that it is everything and so on.

 

[Skeleon]

Cargando got it right, I think, it's essentially just power that some people can tap into.
But it is how people use it (i.e. for good or evil) that matters. In itself, it is neither good nor bad, but it can be warped and twisted.

 

[Mozared]

Not sentinent I think. I often compare 'the Force' with the way magic works in universes like Warcraft or Heroes of Might & Magic; it's an invisible force all around us in the air that can be channeled by whoever is adept enough at it.

 

[Axle_Bullitt_19]

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/The_Force
Well acording to this site there is a living force to go with the the normal force. Which was what Obi-Wan Yoda and Anakin used to apear as ghosts in V and VI.

 

[Supreme Unleaded]

Its not sentient, it just uses whatever animal it is being used against, and takes over its muscle function.

If its an inanimate object, the user is commanding it to move, channeling the force to move the object.

 

[plastic_window]

The way Yoda explains it in Episode 5 is that it's something that binds and flows through everything in the universe (or maybe just that one galaxy that Star Wars is located in).

I wouldn't say it's sentient, it's just there and some people can screw with it. But to control it, you need to give a little green dude piggy-back rides or something.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

No the Force it not intelligent nor sentient. It is a non-entity. It is exactly as it's name implies, a force, neither good nor evil excepting to the actions of the one who wields it. It is just like any other kind of power, it has the capacity to corrupt the one who wields it. It is the same for political power or physical power, but neither of these are intelligent or sentient or even entities.