Comments on: The Ethics of Self-Defense /the-ethics-of-self-defense/ Reviews of common self-defense, karate, and MMA issues Tue, 04 Sep 2012 15:11:02 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: John W. Zimmer /the-ethics-of-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-1698 John W. Zimmer Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:47:36 +0000 /?p=1097#comment-1698 Hi Neil - good points about self-restraint. It is harder to do the right thing sometimes (when being egged on) but it works out for the best. Thanks for your insight! Hi Neil – good points about self-restraint. It is harder to do the right thing sometimes (when being egged on) but it works out for the best. Thanks for your insight!

]]> By: Urban Samurai /the-ethics-of-self-defense/comment-page-1/#comment-1694 Urban Samurai Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:49:36 +0000 /?p=1097#comment-1694 Knowing how to respond to a possible attack from someone is probably more important than knowing how to deal with an actual attack if it happens. As you say, you never know what people's motivations are for their behavior so it's best to give them the benefit of the doubt. Launching yourself at someone because they looked at you funny or said something mildly offensive to you is no way to act, as far I'm concerned. I see this all the time on the street and I think most of it comes from ego and insecurity. Too many people walk around thinking they have something to prove, an attitude that is born of insecurity and self doubt. I am thankful that I started in martial arts because the training has all but eliminated those things in me. I have nothing to prove to anyone really. I feel stronger when I stop myself from reacting too quickly. I feel better when I am able to swallow my pride and walk away from situations were someone is trying to goad me into a fight or get some kind of reaction from me. Yes you feel slightly bad in yourself because you think you should have just done something at the the time, but in the long run, when those initial ego-born feelings subside, I feel prouder for walking away. Obviously if my person (or persons with me) is being threatened seriously then I will react with as much force as required and without any qualms whatsoever. But if I can walk away from a situation I will. As for the guys on the beach - I liked your idea. Take them to the dojo, gear up and kick some Jock ass! Excellent post. Knowing how to respond to a possible attack from someone is probably more important than knowing how to deal with an actual attack if it happens. As you say, you never know what people’s motivations are for their behavior so it’s best to give them the benefit of the doubt. Launching yourself at someone because they looked at you funny or said something mildly offensive to you is no way to act, as far I’m concerned. I see this all the time on the street and I think most of it comes from ego and insecurity. Too many people walk around thinking they have something to prove, an attitude that is born of insecurity and self doubt.

I am thankful that I started in martial arts because the training has all but eliminated those things in me. I have nothing to prove to anyone really. I feel stronger when I stop myself from reacting too quickly. I feel better when I am able to swallow my pride and walk away from situations were someone is trying to goad me into a fight or get some kind of reaction from me. Yes you feel slightly bad in yourself because you think you should have just done something at the the time, but in the long run, when those initial ego-born feelings subside, I feel prouder for walking away.

Obviously if my person (or persons with me) is being threatened seriously then I will react with as much force as required and without any qualms whatsoever. But if I can walk away from a situation I will.

As for the guys on the beach – I liked your idea. Take them to the dojo, gear up and kick some Jock ass!

Excellent post.

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