Ethics in Martial Arts

[D-Man]

I'm interested in everyone's opinion on why we need ethics in Martial Arts.  Why do we choose to live ethical lives?

                          --------Thanx all,
                                       Tum Pai -ist

[badsifu]

Is there really ethics in anything?

[Rob Poelking]

D-Man,

Could you be more specific what you mean by "ethics in Martial Arts."

Do you mean ethics as it applies to the martial artists personal morality, a social conciousness and obligation for peace and protection of the innocent. Or are you referring to the political inner workings of a Martial Arts system. Showing impartiality, consistency and fairness to all its practictioners?

The first I think is undisputed. While an individual will define "right" by different standards (some will define them based on an internal sense of right while others use some external code of ethics), each martial artists should stand for what is "right." We are obligated to protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our land.

The second, while in theory I believe we should treat all our fellow practicioners with impartiality, unfortunately, I don't really see that. Personal politics seem to get in the way. I love Kajukenbo, but I see this as its greatest bane.

[Karazenpo]

 Why need ethics? Steve Spry, with his "one year black belt" program via video tapes, should be a "poster boy" on why we need ethics in the martial arts!

[Nagi]

This is why I think we need ethics in the Martial Arts.
Im a teacher and a student, and if I was teaching a student that had no respect for my school, Art, Style and me the instructor, first off they would not be welcomed at my school and if they did stay for a short time I would hold back techniques for not being worthy enough to accept the tech's. So how much fun would that be to teach someone like that? When someone respects the instructor, art, etc you don't mind passing the information down to them and hopefully they will do the same in the future. Life makes a complete circle and if you respect your instructor someday your students will do the same when you are teaching. I could go on but I don't want to be a wind bag and if my post is to long no one will read it.      

[Mike Nagano]

Why ethics?  Without them we'd be just like everyone else....sort of.

[Mell]

If you believe the marital arts you teach is able to alter the life of an individual for good or for bad, you need ethics.

If you believe your art is weak and unable to command situations/people - no ethics are need.

[Rob Poelking]

I am reposting a private message from D-Man so that my reply makes sense.

I appriciate your response to my question about
ethics.  First of all, I answer your question on clarification; I am
specifically interested in personal morality.  I understand that 
we SHOULD live honorably and ethically, but I want to know 
WHY.   

This really gets to the heart of the matter in many respects and this is difficult to answer. Before one can answer "Why" ethics or morality is needed you have to be prepared to answer the question of truth. Pontius Pilate when questioning Jesus, asked, "What is truth?"
This question is its own philosophical debate, however, in answering that question you will most likely also answer the question, "why."

Personally, I ascribe to the belief that there is absolute truth (not a popular belief these days). I find "Truth" within the pages of the Christian Bible. The "Why" for me is simply that when I die, I want to hear my Creator say "Well done, good and faithful servant."

You, however, may find truth less tangible. You may ascribe to the belief that truth is relative and fluxuates relative to it's application or situation. For you, it may be more difficult to answer Why because it may change relative to your whim and fancy.

[D-Man]

It's been almost a year sence I started this topic and there are many new members to the cafe now.  Does anybody have anything that they would like to add?

[Humble Student]

If you get a chance, read "The Code of the Warrior" by Shannon E. French (ISBN 0-8476-9756-8).  This work is a must for understanding the history and future of the warrior's codes of ethics and morality.  

It is written by a Naval Academy instructor, and analyzes the warrior traditions of the Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Celts, European Knights, Native Americans, Shaolin Monks, Samurai, and finally modern America.  

This a thorough and well-written guide to how we should live as martial artists.  

Respectfully,
Mike J.  

[TODD]

Morals and ethics go together.  Its different from person to person depending on that persons background, culture, religion, and perhaps mental capabitities.  My inmates feel they were in the right by committing their crimes("she deserved it") as MI's beleive they should be left alone cause they done no harm or wrong.  Where martial arts are concerned I feel people should not be trained whom are not worthy.  Example, I would never train a gang-banger or someone who has a history of assaults.  I also feel people out to see if there mentally in this world.