Is Philosophy a Martial Art?

A Presentation at the Humanist House

24 April 2013

Being a student of the martial arts & having overcome bullying in school ...

Much has been done about the philosophy in the martial arts ...

Reflections over having survived situations & conditions of grave physical danger ...

The deadliest weapon of a human being is the mind ...

an academic discipline that exercises reason and logic in an attempt to understand reality and answer fundamental questions about knowledge, life, morality and human nature

“the love of wisdom”

Metaphysics: the nature of reality and the universe.Epistemology: the study of knowledge and how it is acquired.Logic: how to develop valid arguments; includes mathematical logic.Ethics: the study of right and wrong and how people should live.Politics: the study of government, citizen rights and political obligations.Aesthetics: beauty, art and artistic perception.

codified systems and traditions of combat practices, which are practiced for a variety of reasons: self-defence, sport, health and fitness, entertainment, as well as mental, physical, and spiritual development.

From Latin: Arts of Mars, the God of War

Martial Arts as a Philosophy?

Philosophy as a Martial Art?

Warfare is based on deception

All is fair in war Victory means survival Inconsistency

between Martial Arts & Philosophy

Knowledge & Mastery of Self, Your Situation & Your Opponent

The highest form is the art of “fighting without fighting”

Consistent between Philosophy & Martial Arts

Western Traditions Eastern Traditions

Socrates: Non-Commissioned Officer

Plato: Wrestler Machiavelli: Military

strategist & tactician Clausewitz: Dialectic

Military Strategist Damon Young:

Philosophy & Black Belt

Confucius: Military Adviser

Sun tzu: General & Author of Bing Fa

Chuang tzu: Taoist Swordsman

Miyamoto Musashi: Undefeated Swordsman

Bruce Lee: Philosophy undergrad; Jeet Kune Do

Resource & Territory◦ E.g., Current regional tensions

Culture & Traditions◦ E.g., Indigenous vs. Immigrant

Ideas & Values◦ E.g., Human Rights

Among Groups◦ E.g., War

Among Individuals◦ E.g., Grudges

Groups vs. Individuals◦ E.g., Compliance & Dissent

Cognitive Dissonance◦ E.g., Moral Dilemmas

Inconsistencies◦ E.g., Legal vs. Ethical

Exceptionalism◦ E.g., Bigotry

Priorities◦ E.g, Budget

Integrity Discipline Practical Application Appropriate Response Being Proactive Sense of Purpose Resilience

Sun tzu: Bing Fa/Art of War◦ Foundation: Self-Knowledge◦ Strategy: Integrity of Purpose◦ Intelligence: Knowledge of the Factors, the

Conflict & the Stakes◦ Tactics: Cause & Effect◦ Leadership: Mastery of Self & of Others

• Miyamoto Musashi– Be Authentic; Harbour No Malice– Practice is the Way to Perfection– Be acquainted with every art.– Know the ways of all professions.–Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly

matters.–Develop the ability to see the truth in all matters.– Learn to perceive those things which are not

obvious.– Pay attention to even small things.–Do nothing which is of no use

◦ Stratagems when in a superior position. 勝戰計 E.g., Hide in Plain Sight

◦ Stratagems for Confrontation 敵戰計 E.g., Watch a fire from

across the river

◦ Stratagems for attack 攻戰計 E.g., Beat the grass to

startle the snake

◦ Stratagems for confused situations 混戰計 Make distant alliances

while attacking close

◦ Stratagems for gaining ground 並戰計 Tempt with a ladder,

then pull it from under

◦ Stratagems Desperate situations 敗戰計 E.g., Run

“Bring a Gun to a Knife Fight” Satyagraha = Truth Force “If you are attacked physically,

respond physically. If you are attacked verbally, respond with verbally.”

Leverage your opponent’s power instead of working against it.

Silence ... Can be the best response

Prepare: “The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand” (Sun tzu)

Versatility: Know at least two martial arts ... Applies especially to the philosopher

“Opportunity favours the quick eye.”

What are you fighting for?◦ Victory, truth, a lesson?

Non-Negotiables: “If you are not willing to stand for something, you can fall for anything.”

Victories can also be hollow, empty & downright shameful.

What is power?

Pain & suffering can be a source of strength Know that You will not always Win If you win & your opponent does not care,

you have actually lost ... Just because you won the argument doesn’t

mean you have convinced them ... Life isn’t over til it’s over ...

Dojo: the gym “The place of enlightenment” “The highest martial art is the art of fighting

without fighting” Who is your greatest warrior philosopher?

◦ Not one who fears death but a meaningless existence, an unreflected life

◦ Remember Socrates ...