Monday, April 4, 2016

Lets define “Principle.”

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

"It is a fundamental truth that relies upon its connectedness to all styles and/or systems that are considered Martial as in martial arts. It must work within the confines of being “Natural” such as how the human body operates and it must be inter-connected to a philosophical and/or moral tenant. A principle, in this usage, must be universal to all martial arts. It must apply equally to all styles and/or systems - all, i.e., regarding styles, system, cultural belief system, origins and whether they are hard, soft, internal, external, striking vs. grappling or any combination of applications and/or technique vs. techniques. It it exist in one place and not another then it is not a fundamental principle of martial systems."- Stephen Pearlman w/variations by me

Principles are not restricted in any way by a system or styles tactics, strategies, or its objective, i.e., fighting vs. combatives vs. defensive in nature. Principles shall transcend those considerations and remain applicable to the very general martial arts or fighting system. 

Although the human body does vary in a general way, i.e., tall, short, thin, fat, etc. The nature of the human body does not rely on or vary according to the system or style being karate, kendo, kung fu, etc. The principles all apply to the human body regardless of those small variations derived from our nature and natural condition of the human body. The nature of the human body as to its anatomy does not change. 

Considering the human mind, its nature is effectively the same from human to human. All humans’ are subjected to the three brains, i.e., the human brain, the lizard brain and the monkey brain, regardless of cultural and belief system influences. Anger and fear are the same across all humans regardless and so shall the principles apply as principles regardless or they are not true principles.

In the event any one group of humans discards any one of the five principles does not negate said principles but makes the system or style just that much harder, more complicated. 

“While a principle might manifest itself differently depending on the martial art in question, the principle itself applies to all arts equally and without exception. Principles will affect techniques positively when understood and applied or negatively when overlooked or ignored.” - Steven Pearlman, The Book of Martial Power

Now the question arises concerning the new additions of the fifth principle, the principle of self-defense. Much like “Theory and Philosophy” the listed sub-principles do adhere to the definition provided toward “Principles.” All of the SP’s are equally applied no mater the style or system as to origins, etc. as stated above. They also manifest differently according to external influences such as cultural and societal influences but they still transcend and apply across the board. The nature of the fifth set are the same from human to human. All are subjected and explain some of the requirements set forth for the original principles. It does not matter about the differences between human bodies nor does any of them rely on any one martial system. Its objectives, tactics, and strategies are all non-specific regarding martial systems, etc. 

In the sense as defined regarding the principles as originally presented and defined it is apparent that the fifth set of sub-principles do fit the requirements set forth above and by the original creator and author. A serious look and validation is still required, over time on the dojo floor and out there in reality land, before full implementation is considered. Test, theory, test, and test again then test in a realty based stress system or though direct experience is still necessary. 

“Principles will explain everything that happens in the martial arts, they also will explain how to accomplish everything we want to happen. Studying a finite number of principles explains an infinite number of techniques.” - Stephen Pearlman

Bibliography (Click the link)


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