Loki said:
Wow. Huge subject. I'd say Jonathan Randall has the general description right (attempting to make a fully technical one would be semantic suicide). I'm to pull a brain-dump here:
Does a martial artist have to be an artist? Meaning, does his style of fighting have to be aesthetically pleasing? If it does, I'm not a martial artist.
One definition I found for "Artist" is "[size=-1]
The role of the artist is to design experiences featuring the process, techniques, history, and aesthetics of a particular art form."
So, if we look at the style/school/system we study as an 'art'...it may be said that once one moves beyond simply echoing that which they have seen and starts putting their own 'self' into it, one has started down the road of 'artist'.
Like alot of art, it doesn't have to be 'pretty'.
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Can a martial artist be severely lacking moral character? If he can't, does this mean a martial art must have a philosophy? I think at some basic level, it must, and a martial artist must be a moral person. Not a stoic, but not a barbarian either.
But, what is "moral character"?
1 definition: "[size=-1]
Moral character or character is an abstract evaluation of a person's moral and mental qualities. Such an evaluation is subjective — one person may evaluate someone's character on the basis of their virtue, another may consider their fortitude, courage, loyalty, honesty, or piety."
Hmm..."Morality".
Def: "[/size][size=-1]
Morality is a complex of principles based on cultural, religious, and philosophical concepts and beliefs, by which an individual determines whether his or her actions are right or wrong. These concepts and beliefs are often generalized and codified by a culture or group, and thus serve to regulate the behaviour of its members. Conformity to such codification may also be called morality, and the group may depend on widespread conformity to such codes for its continued existence."
Morals?
Def: "[/size][size=-1]
The accepted standards of right and wrong that are usually applied to personal behavior."
So a "Moral Person" is determined by the culture from which they spring. Or
"[/size][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
Moral concepts, judgments and practices (how one defines right or good) may vary from one society to another. The moral concept of "justice" has one meaning in the United States that is grounded in the formation and application of civil law. "Justice" as it is understood and applied in Afghanistan is very different. Morals also change over time within a given society as that society changes."
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So, by these definitions, if the culture believes that it is acceptable, even desired that one be rude, lewd and crude, once could be seen as having good moral character...within that culture. But we often determine based on our culture, not theirs. So, is this definition satisfactory, or is there more to it?
Also, there are countless fighting systems, styles, etc. I think one can be a good fighter, without being an artist. It's like one can be a good painter, but not an artist. The difference between white-washing a fence and painting a landscape if you will.
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Can a distinction be made between a martial artist who practices his art and a martial artist who lives his art? I think that's the best way to go.
Ah. Practices vs lives. Good. Many of our arts have codes of conduct. I believe Kenpo has pledges, many schools have student creeds, heck the Boy Scouts have their "motto".
Would it be safe to say that the person who takes those character building pledges to heart, and really trys to apply them is more likely to be seen as a true martial artist, compared to the person who just says them in passing twice a week at half past 7?
JR mentioned someone who faces tragedy with courage and fortitude but doesn't practice any MA. I wouldn't call him a martial artist since he has no connection to the arts, but I would call him a warrior, no different from the martial artist who lives his art.
There's an excellent post I remember nothing of save for it's definition of what a warrior is (made a distinction from "soldier"). If someone could link to one of it's better replies, I think that'd be great.
I think once can be a warrior without being a martial artist, or even a soldier. I see my grandmother as a warrior for fighting against illness as she did, but she couldn't tell a wrist lock from a wrist watch.
Also, I'd like to here the input of someone who read
Living the Martial Way: A Manual for the Way A Modern Warrior Should Think by Forrest E. Morgan.
Not familiar with it, but will check it out. :asian:
:asian:
