Martial arts and philosophy have always gone hand in hand, as well as
fist in throat. Philosophical argument is closely paralleled with
hand-to-hand combat. And all of today's Asian martial arts were
developed to embody and apply philosophical ideas. In his interview with
Bodidharma, Graham Priest brings out aspects of Buddhist philosophy
behind Shaolin Kung-Fu -- how fighting monks are seeking Buddhahood, not
brawls. But as Scott Farrell's chapter reveals, Eastern martial arts
have no monopoly on philosophical traditions: Western chivalry is an
education in and living revival of Aristotelian ethical theories.
Several chapters look at ethical problems raised by the fighting arts.
How can the sweaty and brutal be exquisitely beautiful? Every chapter is
easily understandable by readers new to martial arts or new to
philosophy.