We can learn to coexist with other martial artists when we understand their epistemology …
When dealing with difficult people with altering views, interests, or values than your own, it is important to understand how these people came to believe what they believe. This is defined as epistemology, the study of how someone formed their beliefs and differentiates their beliefs from opinions.
What’s the difference?
Beliefs are very deep and are difficult to change in oneself or in another. Opinions are more shallow and can change depending on the day or the hour. For example, there are some days I have an opinion that mayonnaise is a good condiment and there are other days where I absolutely cannot stand mayonnaise!
Some have different beliefs on martial arts from others. We ask which martial art is the best? and which ways of teaching are the best? and we take strong roots in these views. This can cause a divide between martial artists that is really not necessary.
We can learn to coexist with other martial artists when we understand their epistemology, how they came to their understanding. When we have this understanding, we can have healthy discussions with one another instead of spitting in each others faces. We can agree to disagree and still get along.
Look at different forms applications. We do not select one form as THE form these days, we learn a variety. We understand why each style founder adopted their stance on fighting and how they do their techniques and it does not bother us at all. Let me ask you this then.
Why do we get so upset when another martial artist takes a different methodology?
