>>712762414Obnoxious WH40K fan here but hear me out. I used to be a Star Wars fan and the whole Dark Side turning you into a cartoon villain didn't make sense to me either, until, well, I got to know WH40K. So, in Starwars, there is both an in-universe and out-universe debate whether the Dark Side is evil, it's users are evil, or whether it's a separate entity from the Force proper. I think the answer is that the Light and Dark sides are basically working on the same principle as the Chaos Gods in WH40K.
>the most basic emotions of living beings coalescing in semi-sentient metaphyisical beingsThe desire to protect oneself and others, love, and generally positive emotions coalesce as the Light Side. The desire to dominate, survive at all costs, anger, hate, fear coalesce as the Dark Side.
>So where the fuck are you going with this, you nerdThe Chaos Gods in WH40K have agendas, they can feel, think, and act, but they can't be said to have a free will, as they are the sum total of their natures. Khorne can't be a cuddly chungus any more than Nurgle can take a bath or Slaanesh can stop sucking dicks. My realization was that the debate about the nature of the Force is resolved in the same manner. The Light and Dark side have agency, they act, they have a "will", but they are still the sum total of their natures. And, like in 40K, these metaphysical beings can overwhelm those in touch with them, and corrupt them. Jedi become retards detached from the darker reality of life, and Sith become retarded edgelords foaming at the mouth constantly and wanting to kick puppies. Only those with exceptionally strong character can tap into either side on the daily and not be twisted by them. This is last part is also basically word for word the Legends origin story of the jedi and Sith, the ancient Je'dai order and the first schism that birthed the Sith.