Tis copy for personal use only – distribution prohibited Tis copy for personal use only – distribution prohibited — Tis copy for personal use only – distribution prohibited Electronic PDF security by Committe of Scientifc Research, Stowarzyszenie Idokan Polska Poland PHILOSOPHY / ETHICS Wojciech J. Cynarski Chair of Cultural Foundations of Physical Education, Sport and Recreation, Faculty of Physical Education, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów (Poland) e-mail: ela_cyn@wp.pl Moral values, and the people of the noble way of martial arts Submission: 13.07.2013; acceptance: 1.12.2013 Key words: martial arts, ethics, moral ways, Christianity, nobility Abstract: Te aim of this study is to conduct a critical analysis of the ethics functioning in selected systems of martial arts. Te theoretical perspective is based on the humanistic theory of martial arts, and the sociology and anthropology of martial arts. Te main method of research is a content analysis of documents and specialised literature, which is complemented by a qualitative method i.e. the author’s long-time participant observation of the international martial arts environment. In terms of a diachronic and synchronic approach, old traditions of martial arts, Christian infuences in the area and the question of what their ethos looks like today are consecutively analysed. Tanks to Christian axiology the ethos of chivalry seems to be a unique achievement of historical warrior culture. Te philosophy of idō is presented in an interesting way, as a result of the specifc synergies between the ideas of East Asian martial arts and European knighthood. In contrast, the contemporary budō includes an axiological canon, which today manifests itself in various ways. Tis is particularly true of the multiform world of martial arts. © Idōkan Poland Association “IDO MOVEMENT FOR CULTURE. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology”, Vol. 14, no. 1 (2014), pp. 1–10 Introduction From the perspective of the humanistic theory of martial arts and the anthropology of the warrior’s way [Cynarski 2004a, 2012; Obodyński 2009] we shall undertake a discussion of the moral values of martial arts, in the past and now. We shall begin with historiosophical considerations and the theory of civilization. Te issues of ethics, especially the chivalric ethos, will be the “common denominator” for further discussion. Subsequent fragments will be dedicated to the ancient traditions of martial arts, Christian infuences in the area and the question of how the contemporary ethos preserves these and other values. If for the purpose of interpreting the complex, contemporary socio-cultural reality a multidimensional anthropological, ethical and educational perspective is assumed [Szmyd 2011], the same should apply to this interpretation of current codes of chivalry and their derivatives. Te philosophy of the martial arts has already been discussed by several authors. Tey were former warriors and sages, such as Miyamoto Musashi, [1983] or Yagyu Munenori [2002]. However, they focused more on the philosophy of combat and the preparation of a warrior for a “life-and-death” confrontation. Today, experts and philosophers among others, describe the ethics of martial arts, relating them to the place of origin of the Chinese, Japanese or Korean martial arts and the historically dominant axio-normative systems there [cf. Jazarin 1960; Tokarski 1989; Carr 1993; Saldern 1993; Maroteaux 1995; Kim, Bäck 2000]. In the subject literature we do indeed fnd publications concerning the application of the educational paths of martial arts: self-improvement and self-realization, self-control and self-discipline, etc. [Kanō 1932; Wolters 2005; Baka 2008]. At the same time the teaching of martial arts refers to various philosophical, religious or mystical traditions. Some perceive the source of spirituality in the canon of Zen Buddhism [Hof 1998; Lind 1998; Wolters 2005] others, probably rightly, in diferent traditions of spirituality [Oyama 1979; Maliszewski 1996; Pietrzak, Cynarski 2000; Cynarski 2001]. Martial arts experts who are also teachers, emphasize the universal values of teaching martial arts (as educational systems) [Kanō 1932;