Religion plays a major role in the storylines of The Mandalorian. Din Djarin adheres to the way of the Mandalorians even when this is difficult. Grogu is forced to choose between the religions of the Jedi and the Mandalorians. Bo Katan ridicules the religiously observant Children of the Watch, who never let their faces be seen, but a startling experience shakes her convictions. These stories raise a host of questions. What is religion? Is it primarily about practices or about beliefs? Does it have anything to do with truth? Can I be born into a religion, or do I have to choose it? Is Christianity a religion? We will ask these questions and more as we both enjoy talking about the Star Wars universe and engage in deep thought about religion. This is the way.
Young Philosophers is an online discussion for high-school-aged students. Join us for “Religion in The Mandalorian” on Thursday, September 14, from 4-6 p.m. Pacific time. The discussion will be led by Gutenberg tutor Brian Julian. Participants will get the most out of the class if they are familiar with seasons 1-3 of The Mandalorian as well as the Din Djarin and Grogu-focused episodes (5, 6, 7) of The Book of Boba Fett.
Attendee Requirements: High-school age
Maximum Attendees: 12
Brian Julian joined the Gutenberg College faculty in 2021 after having taught philosophy and writing for several years at colleges in the Boston area. He holds a B.A. in liberal arts from Gutenberg College and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston University. He specializes in the history of philosophy and has published research on Aristotle. He writes (and cartoons) for Thinking in the Light, a website where he aims to make philosophical ideas accessible to a general audience.