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Ethics and justice in any given self-defense situation must always be taken into account by the Martial Arts practitioner. Anyone can learn techniques that can be devastating and destructive to the human body, but what tempers the ethical use of one?s skills? It is the application of responsibility and justice as per the self-defense situation. What is your opponent attempting to do to you? In order for any practitioner to apply his techniques against an opponent he must be able to evaluate the situation clearly and immediately. Once the situation has been assessed, the level of justice must be determined. Thus one must apply the techniques appropriate for the situation.

It is a responsibility for any Martial Arts practitioner to decide based on the greatest good for the greatest number. One must decide whether the situation is a self-defense matter. A practitioner must be able to evaluate the situation?s worthiness for defense. Is the opponent verbally attacking or is he getting into one?s space and making an attempt to injure? One must be able to clearly evaluate the situation and do it swiftly. Awareness of one?s environment will play a vital role in determining whether there is an actual threat to one?s survival. The speed by which one can evaluate will decide one?s fate because the communication lag can cause injury or death.

After you assess the situation and determine the exact situation clearly, then you must apply the exact degree of ethics to the situation. You would not physically harm someone who is just trying to be intimidating with his words. It is very easy to walk away from that kind of situation. You do not want to get into legal trouble because you stepped beyond the boundaries of your own ethics. If you?re being physically harmed or the intent is to injure, then you must go into action as immediately as you?ve completed your evaluation of the situation.

The exact justice to apply must be decided quickly. If an opponent is just physically pushing, you have to decide what kind of techniques to apply to that level of self-defense. If an opponent is using a weapon of any kind, it should be determined that injury, maiming, or death is the intent. Thereby, the appropriate techniques would be used for that type of self-defense situation. Justice in accordance with the type of techniques go up on a threat scale of minor to possible death. A practitioner must act with the correct techniques because it can mean either being too excessive, or knocking on death?s door.

It is not easy for any Martial Artist to determine ethics and justice in any given situation. But it is a responsibility that you must embrace. You cannot be afraid to apply what is necessary as long as ethics, justice and truth are on your side. The next time you examine your training, you should look at the importance of training with intent, assimilation and application of knowledge, and the establishment of certainty. It does mean life and death.

Sifu Villanueva teaches in Vallejo and can be reached at 552-7598.