2. 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 ...
3. 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”
4. 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.
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. Resource & Territory
◦ E.g., Current regional tensions
Culture & Traditions
◦ E.g., Indigenous vs. Immigrant
Ideas & Values
◦ E.g., Human Rights
9. Among Groups
◦ E.g., War
Among Individuals
◦ E.g., Grudges
Groups vs. Individuals
◦ E.g., Compliance & Dissent
11. Integrity
Discipline
Practical Application
Appropriate Response
Being Proactive
Sense of Purpose
Resilience
12. 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
13. • 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
14. ◦ 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
15. “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
16. 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.”
17. 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?
18. 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 ...
19. 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 ...