Ethics

by Guy Windsor

*An abridged version of this instalment of The Swordsman’s Quick Guide has been included as a chapter in the author’s book The Theory and Practice of Historical Martial Arts.*This book raises and answers the following When is it ok to stab someone in the face with a sword?2 What is the one thing you find most useful about swordsmanship training outside the salle?3 How important is history to you in your practise of swordsmanship?4 Can a duel settle a matter of honour?5 Can violence be beautiful?6 To what extent is the practice of swordsmanship the cultivation of virtue?7 Is the study of ethics necessary for martial artists?The answers come from the author and his students from around the world; the important thing is to engage with the questions, not to have the "correct" answer.

34 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2015

About the author

Dr. Guy Windsor is a world-renowned instructor and a pioneering researcher of medieval and renaissance martial arts. He has been teaching the Art of Arms full-time since founding The School of European Swordsmanship in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001. His day job is finding and analysing historical swordsmanship treatises, figuring out the systems they represent, creating a syllabus from the treatises for his students to train with, and teaching the system to his students all over the world. Guy is the author of numerous classic books about the art of swordsmanship and has consulted on swordfighting game design and stage combat. He developed the card game, Audatia, based on Fiore dei Liberi's Art of Arms, his primary field of study. In 2018 Edinburgh University awarded him a PhD by Research Publications for his work recreating historical combat systems. When not studying medieval and renaissance swordsmanship or writing books Guy can be found in his shed woodworking or spending time with his family.

Reviews

[Conor]

A white anglo theorist pontificates on ethics and violence using historical precedent. The whole thing based on a justification and navel gazing that is genuinely embarrassing. The silly sod literally uses the phrase ‘drugged up ruffian’. HEMA instructors who sound like the Daily Mail are just useless. Avoid like the clap. Spends half the time bragging himself and filling the pages with sub-juvenile chauvinistic shite.

Read the accounts of someone who has actually used a sword before. Better still, stop looking to self-appointed Anglos to get your ethics. More substantial philosophising on the back of a DIY wanking kit.