SageoftheoneWay
Member
The Ethics of Chakra: The Alpha and Omega of the NarutoVerse
Thesis
Ethics, as a philosophical endeavor, is the determination to know what is good and what is evil, and how conscious beings ought to think and behave. In Naruto, the ethics of good and evil are clearly stated in the way chakra has affected human society. This will be my position in my explanation as to why this is true. I will argue that chakra is the unifying factor of all things in Naruto, and that the constant conflicts in Naruto are to ultimately lead to world peace through the philosophy of 'love'.
Chakra
Chakra, in itself, is the real god of the narutoverse. When I use the god in relation to chakra, I am not speaking of the traditional understanding of god. God, as understood by the major religions today, is a superior, conscious being responsible for the creation of all things. Instead, I am saying that chakra is the main essence and unifying factor for all things that exist in Naruto. Therefore, the god tree is merely a gateway and protector to the main essence of chakra. Chakra exists in all beings and objects of Naruto because although they are all separate, yet they are ultimately one. Notice Kabuto's Yang release techniques which were capable to affect the entire shape of the cave, the infinte tsukoyomi's ability to perfectly manipulate peoples consciousness, and the various techniques used to merge with other objects and people. In this sense, Naruto's favorite technique, the shadow clone, perfectly describes the above mentioned relationship of chakra and separateness. This is furthered by Naruto's new ability to share his very chakra and feelings with a multitude of people at once.
World
Therefore, if chakra is the oneness of the world, why is the world in constant conflict? Well, conflict occurs when two or more things go against each other. Hence the prominent ying-yang symbol used in various circumstances. The philosophy behind the ying-yang symbol is one of constant opposites going in a circular motion. This applies well with the various conflicts found in Naruto, which ultimately have moved the world in a certain direction up until this point. From Kaguya to Madara to Obito to Pain to Akatsuki to Orochimaru to Sasuke, the same theme is common for all, mainly Power as the solution for world peace, or Heaven on earth. On the other hand, Naruto and many like him, believe that love is the solution for the peace that is necessary for heavenly bliss. This explains the reincarnation of So6P sons throughout time.
Time
If chakra is the main unifying factor of all things then it is also the framework which makes possible being, life and consciousness. This chakra framework for existence is what has been moving time along the path that being taken. In bringing other entities to existence, differentiation will inevitably occur. Therefore, this framework is an expansive one, much like the 'big bang' of our world. It is a collision of various things which ultimately will lead somewhere. It is chaos turning into order. Now I state the chakra is what has been moving time along with confidence because if chakra is the oneness of all things, then it must precede all things that can exist, which includes time. Also, my confidence in differentiation in existence is due to the fact that if only one thing is created, nothing more can come of it, but if two or more things eventually come into existence, then differentiation will occur. This resembles the philosophy of the ying-yang symbol.
Ying and Yang
If the main framework of the naruto world is based on the ying-yang philosophy, which there is heavy evidence to conclude it as such, then it is the main framework for conflict as well. This means that the nature of the naruto world is to create conflict which will move the world along. This is not necessarily a dualism of good and evil, rather a necessity for opposites to consistently exist aside each other. Which is what makes Naruto and Sasuke destiny infinitely more important. Also, by destiny, I don't mean that that they were chosen by time or something, rather that their lives and the dynamic events which occured around and within them have caused them to be important parts of the mechanism that has been driving the story to its conclusion.
Naruto
Naruto, then, was not chosen by destiny just because younger son of So6P reincarnated within him. Instead, possibly their close relation the source of all chakra is what causes them to travel within the stream of time and chakra, much like the Sage who is known to travel through time within this mysterious stream. More importantly, it is Naruto's philosophy, which resembles the Sages philosophy, which supports my views much more closely. In their short interaction, the sage explains his ideals to Naruto and also that of his Mothers and Indra's. Namely, one of a unifying sort which collectively considers all people, and one which is based on power of just one person. In each case, chakra is the solution for the chaos which is constant. Therefore, time has been moving in a direction which will either favor one of power or of love.
Power and Love
Now when it comes to these terms, they can take many differentiating meanings, so ill try to explain them as I understand them. Power as a philosophy refers to the all-consuming pursuit of the source of the power of chakra to be used to forcefully bring peace. Love as a philosophy refers to the ideal of unifying in one mind and spirit all people in the Naruto world to collectively agree on bringing peace. Power is usually the one which is considered corrupt, although I do think that love also can be corrupted if the unity is based of false or illusory premesis contrary to the truth. Nevertheless, the truth is that both are needed to bring the eventual peace.
Peace
Therefore, considering all things, peace tends to be the ultimate end of chakra in the naruto world. The reason I say that both power and love are necessary to bring about peace is because without power, love would have a hard time reaching its lofty ideals. Without the fourth ninja war, the five great nations and the samurais, would not have fought along side each other in one mind and spirit. Also, without love their would be no meaningful start or ending for the story. Therefore, the flow of all chakra is that of eventually reaching harmony and heavenly bliss, through the constant conflict and redemptions of previously conflictive characters (obito, pain, etc..).
Extra: Sasuke
After they beat Kaguya, this still leaves Sasuke and his group as possible final villains towards reaching this end. Sasuke previously stated that he wanted to be hokage. This is reminiscent of Madara who also wanted to be hokage, but under corrupted motives. I also think that Sasuke's motives have not been conclusively stated therefore I predict that he will maintain the 'power' philosophy, especially being Indra's reincarnation. This will possibly lead to a final Naruto vs. Sasuke fight over Hokage, in which he may finally recognize Naruto and his path, or estrange himself, or outright lose. This thinking and prediction is under the framework that I established above.
"In Ninshuu I explained that chakra connects people" - Sage of Six Paths
Thesis
Ethics, as a philosophical endeavor, is the determination to know what is good and what is evil, and how conscious beings ought to think and behave. In Naruto, the ethics of good and evil are clearly stated in the way chakra has affected human society. This will be my position in my explanation as to why this is true. I will argue that chakra is the unifying factor of all things in Naruto, and that the constant conflicts in Naruto are to ultimately lead to world peace through the philosophy of 'love'.
Chakra
Chakra, in itself, is the real god of the narutoverse. When I use the god in relation to chakra, I am not speaking of the traditional understanding of god. God, as understood by the major religions today, is a superior, conscious being responsible for the creation of all things. Instead, I am saying that chakra is the main essence and unifying factor for all things that exist in Naruto. Therefore, the god tree is merely a gateway and protector to the main essence of chakra. Chakra exists in all beings and objects of Naruto because although they are all separate, yet they are ultimately one. Notice Kabuto's Yang release techniques which were capable to affect the entire shape of the cave, the infinte tsukoyomi's ability to perfectly manipulate peoples consciousness, and the various techniques used to merge with other objects and people. In this sense, Naruto's favorite technique, the shadow clone, perfectly describes the above mentioned relationship of chakra and separateness. This is furthered by Naruto's new ability to share his very chakra and feelings with a multitude of people at once.
World
Therefore, if chakra is the oneness of the world, why is the world in constant conflict? Well, conflict occurs when two or more things go against each other. Hence the prominent ying-yang symbol used in various circumstances. The philosophy behind the ying-yang symbol is one of constant opposites going in a circular motion. This applies well with the various conflicts found in Naruto, which ultimately have moved the world in a certain direction up until this point. From Kaguya to Madara to Obito to Pain to Akatsuki to Orochimaru to Sasuke, the same theme is common for all, mainly Power as the solution for world peace, or Heaven on earth. On the other hand, Naruto and many like him, believe that love is the solution for the peace that is necessary for heavenly bliss. This explains the reincarnation of So6P sons throughout time.
Time
If chakra is the main unifying factor of all things then it is also the framework which makes possible being, life and consciousness. This chakra framework for existence is what has been moving time along the path that being taken. In bringing other entities to existence, differentiation will inevitably occur. Therefore, this framework is an expansive one, much like the 'big bang' of our world. It is a collision of various things which ultimately will lead somewhere. It is chaos turning into order. Now I state the chakra is what has been moving time along with confidence because if chakra is the oneness of all things, then it must precede all things that can exist, which includes time. Also, my confidence in differentiation in existence is due to the fact that if only one thing is created, nothing more can come of it, but if two or more things eventually come into existence, then differentiation will occur. This resembles the philosophy of the ying-yang symbol.
Ying and Yang
If the main framework of the naruto world is based on the ying-yang philosophy, which there is heavy evidence to conclude it as such, then it is the main framework for conflict as well. This means that the nature of the naruto world is to create conflict which will move the world along. This is not necessarily a dualism of good and evil, rather a necessity for opposites to consistently exist aside each other. Which is what makes Naruto and Sasuke destiny infinitely more important. Also, by destiny, I don't mean that that they were chosen by time or something, rather that their lives and the dynamic events which occured around and within them have caused them to be important parts of the mechanism that has been driving the story to its conclusion.
Naruto
Naruto, then, was not chosen by destiny just because younger son of So6P reincarnated within him. Instead, possibly their close relation the source of all chakra is what causes them to travel within the stream of time and chakra, much like the Sage who is known to travel through time within this mysterious stream. More importantly, it is Naruto's philosophy, which resembles the Sages philosophy, which supports my views much more closely. In their short interaction, the sage explains his ideals to Naruto and also that of his Mothers and Indra's. Namely, one of a unifying sort which collectively considers all people, and one which is based on power of just one person. In each case, chakra is the solution for the chaos which is constant. Therefore, time has been moving in a direction which will either favor one of power or of love.
Power and Love
Now when it comes to these terms, they can take many differentiating meanings, so ill try to explain them as I understand them. Power as a philosophy refers to the all-consuming pursuit of the source of the power of chakra to be used to forcefully bring peace. Love as a philosophy refers to the ideal of unifying in one mind and spirit all people in the Naruto world to collectively agree on bringing peace. Power is usually the one which is considered corrupt, although I do think that love also can be corrupted if the unity is based of false or illusory premesis contrary to the truth. Nevertheless, the truth is that both are needed to bring the eventual peace.
Peace
Therefore, considering all things, peace tends to be the ultimate end of chakra in the naruto world. The reason I say that both power and love are necessary to bring about peace is because without power, love would have a hard time reaching its lofty ideals. Without the fourth ninja war, the five great nations and the samurais, would not have fought along side each other in one mind and spirit. Also, without love their would be no meaningful start or ending for the story. Therefore, the flow of all chakra is that of eventually reaching harmony and heavenly bliss, through the constant conflict and redemptions of previously conflictive characters (obito, pain, etc..).
Extra: Sasuke
After they beat Kaguya, this still leaves Sasuke and his group as possible final villains towards reaching this end. Sasuke previously stated that he wanted to be hokage. This is reminiscent of Madara who also wanted to be hokage, but under corrupted motives. I also think that Sasuke's motives have not been conclusively stated therefore I predict that he will maintain the 'power' philosophy, especially being Indra's reincarnation. This will possibly lead to a final Naruto vs. Sasuke fight over Hokage, in which he may finally recognize Naruto and his path, or estrange himself, or outright lose. This thinking and prediction is under the framework that I established above.
"In Ninshuu I explained that chakra connects people" - Sage of Six Paths
