The martial arts are imbedded within specific cultures and are therefore build on certain worldviews; i.e. philosophical systems. Philosophical systems within martial arts generally include Fundamental Beliefs, Moral Values, Aesthetic Ideals and Technical Principles.

Asian styles often include Oriental philosophical concepts derived from culture specific philosophies like Taoism, Shinto, Confuncianism and Buddhism. Modern arts tend to derive their philosophical underpinnings from the natural science, for instance Newtonian physics or biomechanics. While some of them do still incorporate religious ideas, for example Shaolin kungfu that is practiced at Shaolin Buddhist Temples, most martial arts today do not teach religious concepts anymore. Moral values, some of which are specific to the cultural context from where the martial art originated, are still widely advocated in most martial arts schools. A focus on aesthetic ideals is also widely upheld.

A martial art’s appropriate physical techniques are derived from its philosophical system. For example, the Japanese martial art Aikido is based on strong non-violent moral values; as such, techniques in Aikido are always defensive in nature. Offensive techniques where violence is met with violence would be inappropriate within Aikido’s philosophical system. Therefore, strict Aikido does not employ offensive strikes or kicks.

TAO (Universal Law)

The philosophical principle that is probably the most pervasive within thel arts is the Oriental concept known as the Tao (or Do), usually translated as “way”, “path” or “art”. Tao (or Do) sometimes even form part of the name of martial arts, for instance: Aikido, Judo, Taekwondo.

Oriental philosophy believes that the Tao is the “ultimate law” that governs the universe. Far from being a set of rules, the Tao is instead the natural flow or order of things.

In an attempt to describe the Tao, the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu expressed it as follows: “There is a thing inherent and natural, which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, it stands alone and never changes; it pervades everywhere and never becomes exhausted. It may be regarded as the mother of the Universe. I do not know its name.

"If I am forced to give it a name, I call it Tao, and I name it as supreme. Supreme means going on; going on means going far; going far means returning. Therefore Tao is supreme; heaven is supreme; earth is supreme; and man is also supreme. There are in the universe four things supreme, and man is one of them. Man follows the laws of earth; earth follows the laws of heaven; heaven follows the laws of Tao; Tao follows the laws of its intrinsic nature.”

YIN-YANG (Law of Change)

Extrapolated from the idea of the Tao, is the Yin-Yang. The Yin-Yang, also known as the Law of Change, propose that there are an eternal interplay between two opposite forces: the firm and the yielding. “Yang” literally means firm or hard, and “yin” means yielding or soft. These forces exist in everything as two opposing but complimentary principles.

The yin-yang symbol, known as the Tai Chi (“supreme ultimate”), depicts these forces as two tear shaped lobes, one colored white and the other black, enclosed in a circle and flowing into each other. The Tai Chi illustrates the two forces in perfect balance and perpetual change – the one becoming the other; each possessing within itself the seed of the other.

Since the martial arts often include hard and soft principles, offensive and defensive techniques, the Yin-Yang has long been an appropriate philosophy, and the Tai Chi a fitting symbol.

Moral Code

Martial Arts often involve a strict code that comprise of certain fundamental beliefs or moral values.

During the 7th century, the Hwarang-warriors of the Sylla Dynasty in Korea practiced a strict code. The Hwarang-warriors emphasized loyalty to the king, to their parents, to their comrades, respect for life and never retreating on the battlefield.

Bushido – the “way of the warrior” – is probably the best known martial art code and was practiced by the Japanese samurai.

Concepts like loyalty, duty, obedience, honor and respect were part of the code, and the warrior was expected to follow it not only on the battlefield, but also in his daily life. The Bushido also required the samurai to embrace death. Yamamoto Tsunetomo wrote in the 18th century that “Bushido…lies in dying. When confronted with two alternatives, life and death, one is to choose death without hesitation . . .” Many Japanese systems still embrace the Bushido to this day, although maybe less so than the samurai of old.