#askphilososhy

[theoiseaubird]

Done for @askphilososhy 

[silver-tangent]

Tangent on Philososhy's non-violence

@askphilososhy I've missed a lot of this non-violence segment, and it's a heavy read, and it's 2 in the morning, so I'm just going to put in my thoughts and let you respond. Words that stuck with me in martial arts from the age of 5 were; karate is the art of self-defense, not the art of beating people up. Even now in my Taoist faith, one of the virtues is that the art of the sword should be known, but one should detest having to use it. I think self defense is important; BUT it bothers me how many people think self defense includes: "well she hit me so I beat her face in. It was self defense." Or "he was in my personal space, so I was defending myself" Self defense is this: doing what is necessary to protect ones self from harm. In life just as in nature, we will potentially be forced to protect ourselves, but a true martial-artist avoids a fight, and you only fight to get away; not to "teach a lesson" If you can get away, get away. If you can't get away, fight back. You fight... to get away. Once your aggressor is off of you, on the floor, or you are able to get away, you have no reason to continue beating him. It's no longer self-defense. Pacifism is a noble and virtuous belief, but there are times when DEFENSE is the only option you have left to survive. What you and I agree on, however, is that beating up someone for being a Nazi isn't defense. Kicking someone on the ground "to win all future fights" (Ender's Game), while tactically intelligent, is not defense. Killing someone who kills people and will never stop killing people is not defense. Self defense, in my eyes, isn't violence, its survival... but it becomes violence when we abuse the concept. And running away is just as much survival as self defense... basically pride is stupid. Responding with unnecessary force will only give people a reason to see you as the villain, not fear and respect you. As a martial artist, I love and respect the art of combat. As a strategist I love and respect the art of War. As a Taoist and a good man, I pray that I never have to use them... but as a survivor I am willing to do anything for myself or the innocent. And finally as a philosopher. It's difficult because in my mind, based on the nature of man, the trial of Socrates, the problem of evil... I feel that world peace is antonymous with humanity. If you escalate the idea of non-violence from virtue and personality to nations at war... that would be a different discussion entirely. Actually no. My points on defense are still applicable but on such a large scale that we have to redefine violence. Defense of the innocent; I stand for that. So the question becomes, "when is driving back an army considered protecting the innocent, and when is it considered conquering?" That... I need to write a lecture on that. The mere thought on tackling such a question makes me comparable to Twilight Sparkle.

[naomiknight-17]

askphilososhy replied to your post: sootonthecarpet: lets. lets not call donald...

We’ve taken to calling him “Ol’ Orange Julius Caesar” because it’s pretty funny, basic and we FEEL harmless except that Caesar killed and enslaved tens of thousands of gauls but… it’s much less recent so… yar ^^;

I can get behind this

[theoiseaubird]

hope you're doing well and staying safe, oiseau.

Yes indeedy, safe as safe can be. also I got a new tablet, so that’s nice.Also I hope things are better for you, last time I checked in things were rough.

[hellnyaa]

Hopeyou're hangin in there through the whole tumblr nonsense!

A shitty move undoubtedly...though since I don’t post NSFW it hardly affects me...plus I don’t know how many of my posts got flagged cuz I’m not gonna manually scroll trough 4,900+ posts/reblogs...

I’m kinda just here waitin’ to see what’ll happen on the 17th...

[empressofthelibrary]

askphilososhy replied to your post “H How did a frog get in my bedroom”

OMFG! THAT IS ADORABLE! Will You Keep It?!

No, probably not.  I don’t have any kind of a tank for him, and the cats would eat him.  He’s going back outside as soon as I find a thing to carry him out with.

[naomiknight-17]

askphilososhy replied to your post: I had to restart my computer because Chrome was...

Turn it off then turn it back on again after a short break! (Tech Support Master Here!)

You know what, I will try that, thanks! (I mean... it can't hurt, right??)

[empressofthelibrary]

askphilososhy replied to your post “…random inch-wide round bruise on the inside of my bicep? have i been...”

a champion waiting to happen. Your body already knows it!

I have literally never fenced in my life.  The most contact I’ve had with the gear is trying on my mom’s old helmet at a young age and making note of the sharp metal smell and the feel of the grate against my hands as I held it in place -- it was waaaay the heck too big for me, even if I’d been wearing the hood and padding.

Also I’m p sure I’ve moved old foils around but those memories are more numerous, more fleeting, and less detailed.