The paradox of martial arts - safe combat

Abstract

This paper presents the paradox of martial arts: martial arts are supposed to be safe educational activities, but they include combat that itself is usually understood as dangerous activity. The nature of combat within martial arts is explored, so that it is clear to what extent the combat is safetified and therefore not efficient.

This is important especially for the participants so that they are not confused about what activity they are doing, especially if their motivation for engagement in martial arts is efficient self-defence.

Keywords

• safe combat
• dangerous combat
• martial arts
• close combat
• ethics