Responsibility of a Martial Artist

[Grenadier]

ATTENTION ALL USERS:

Please, keep the conversation polite and respectful.

-Ronald Shin
-MT Supermoderator

 

[kingkong89]

as a martial artist i dont think it is my duty to step into others confrontations but i do believe that it is my duty to help those who cannot help themselves hich.

 

[hogstooth]

I don't think that you have a responsibilty as a MA to act on the behalf of others. But as I teach my daughter, you should lend a hand when a hand is needed and help your fellow man. That is not to mean that if the attacker has a gun you should try a Jackie Chan move and try to take it. You have to use common sense. But today most people have cell phones and can call the police.
I hate to say it but with all of the lawyers in this country looking to make a name for themselves, you may pay for that minute of bravado for the rest of your life. Fair or not, often times the criminal has more rights than the average citizen. In fact your MA skills can be used against you. Never the less I believe or would like to believe that if the situation presented itself I would come to the aid of a person in need dispite the consequences.

 

[Chitmunk]

My views on stepping in to help mimic many of the idea already put up here. I do not believe that the responsibility resides solely in your martial arts training, but in your moral views as a human being. A good person will step in to diffuse a situation in whatever way they have the ability, be it physically blocking the attacker from a continued onslaught, interupting the confrontation verbally and try to talk the assailant down, or calling the police and stepping in to perform first aid when the conflict has ended. Because of our training and confidence in our abilities, I do believe that make a martial artist more prone to stepping in to halt a conflict, but I don't believe that it increases our obligation any more than the next man.

A good man will do what he can, when he can. A bad one will think only of himself.

In reference to it being one of my loved ones being attacked, I would not care if it was a martial artist stepping in or not. So long as the ones I care about are protected and the situation dissolves as painlessly as possible. Just because you have training does not mean that you can handle every situation, but conversely just because you don't have training does not mean you cannot handle those same situations. All training gives is physical tools, and a strong, moral mentality.

 

[celtic_crippler]

Here is a question for all of your folks here on the forums. In my style that I study Shaolin Northern Longfist there is a term called Wu De. Martial Morality. It touches on many different topics but one that is interesting to me is that Martial Arts as we all know is meant to be used in Self Defense only. However it is also taught in my school that MA is also to help protect and defend those that can't protect themselves. I understand that people stepping in to help others is happening less and less these days , mostly due to legal ramifications, and other factors.

WHat is everyone's feelings on this topic ? Do you feel it is our responsibility to step in as a trained MA-ist ? or not ? I look forward to all of your answers.

I feel that if you see someone being taken advantage of thay you have a responsibilty, not only as a martial artisist but as a fellow human bieng, to do what you can you to help preserve life and limb.

 

[chinto]

Here is a question for all of your folks here on the forums. In my style that I study Shaolin Northern Longfist there is a term called Wu De. Martial Morality. It touches on many different topics but one that is interesting to me is that Martial Arts as we all know is meant to be used in Self Defense only. However it is also taught in my school that MA is also to help protect and defend those that can't protect themselves. I understand that people stepping in to help others is happening less and less these days , mostly due to legal ramifications, and other factors.

What is everyone's feelings on this topic ? Do you feel it is our responsibility to step in as a trained MA-ist ? or not ? I look forward to all of your answers.

mainly its legal considerations. not just civil ones either. some states have made it basically a felony, in a lot of states back east I understand, to engage any one in combat with out retreating till you may not retreat physically any more.
In my state its better then that but the civil suit that will fallow and the expense that in tales to fight, well If I do not know them and do not think its a serious harm situation... I will call 911... a serous situation, well i will go with what my gut says to do on that one.... Now if its me or my family, or other loved ones .. well then its all go winner take all..

 

[Hot Lunch]

WHat is everyone's feelings on this topic ? Do you feel it is our responsibility to step in as a trained MA-ist ? or not ?

That's up to each and every individual martial artist to decide. Whichever you decide, no judgement from me.

As for me, I decide each case individually; and when it comes to domestic violence - even if they're both of the same sex - I'm not getting involved. There are two likely scenarios:

1. The person you were trying to protect will now protect the person they're in a relationship with, and now you're faced with two attackers instead of one.
2. If the police are involved, they'll both claim that you were the aggressor. And now it's your word against two people's.

 

[Steve]

That's up to each and every individual martial artist to decide. Whichever you decide, no judgement from me.

As for me, I decide each case individually; and when it comes to domestic violence - even if they're both of the same sex - I'm not getting involved. There are two likely scenarios:

1. The person you were trying to protect will now protect the person they're in a relationship with, and now you're faced with two attackers instead of one.
2. If the police are involved, they'll both claim that you were the aggressor. And now it's your word against two people's.

Wow. Blast from the past. My opinion now is pretty much the same as it was when i replied in 2008.

 

[Buka]

I’ve always helped people in need and always will. At least to the best of my abilities. I can’t run anybody down any more, too old, knees too shot. And I can’t drive a car at high speed to chase another car in say an abduction, but I never really could.

But other than that, yes, I’m helping. I know it’s more dangerous now, but so far, so good.

I don’t expect anyone else to do the same and don’t judge them one bit, not even a little bit. But I’m helping.

 

[Bill Mattocks]

Bearing witness is helping. Assisting those in need is helping. Being a decent person is helping. Do what you can, when you can, for whom you can.

 

[Hot Lunch]

as a martial artist i dont think it is my duty to step into others confrontations but i do believe that it is my duty to help those who cannot help themselves hich.

Be careful with this. Never assume that the person who appears to be physically weaker is the victim who is completely free of any wrongdoing.

One thing I've noticed is that if two women are fighting, whichever of the two women that appears to be more feminine, that's who people are going to intervene to protect 99.99% percent of the time - without ever stopping to think that maybe the woman they're protecting is the one who was poking the bear and suffering the repercussions.

There's also the whole thing about violence between people of the opposite sex. Usually, what emboldens a woman to physically assault a man is her assumption that he won't defend himself. Or her belief that if he does defend himself, bystanders who see it will come to her aid (and the vast majority of the time, she's right).