Philosophy, discipline, training, and lifestyle are like four common, complimentary, and integrative principles which are more or less present with not just the combat athletes, but also, any person who is committed to a cause or a goal in life. This includes any field and any endeavor that a person, a group of people, or an institution/organization may be committed to, and happens to believe in.
There are so many different kinds of philosophies, disciplines, lifestyles, and trainings (applied methods) in the world, particularly in the world of martial arts. Some are influenced, inspired, and totally content by material ascendancy only; some are rooted and content in pure humanism which has many philosophical branches of its own; others are entirely guided by new age movements and strange philosophical spiritualism——even rejecting science and reason; other martial artists and fight groups are endlessly pursuing philosophical individualism which had begun during the early 19th century. But regardless of what it may be, at some point the thought of an impending prospect of a life threatening situation which may require you to make a serious decision would force you to reflect on the principles mentioned above——even if they are still foggy and not clear to you.
Whether the act of self-defense is a choice, or whether it is being forced on you with no other alternative, it makes no difference——it would still come down to what your philosophy, your discipline in that philosophy, your philosophy in that lifestyle, and your prior trainings which were shaped and reinforced by your philosophy have long dictated. If those principles have trained you to conclude that you must run in such a such a situation, then you will run, and you will even leave your friends behind; and if they have shaped you to think that it is unethical to run, then you will stay and fight to the end in order to save your friends’ and even strangers’ lives, even if it means your own loss of life. Those four principles dictate a lot of things in life. They even dictate “in many cases” (not all), how many necessary or unnecessary altercations and difficulties you will put yourself in life. They can provide you with the wisdom and the appropriate measure of instinct for what is collectively considered as just. They provide purpose and act as a guide under pressure. Without them, life feels lost, confused, uncertain, and without any direction and meaning.
SHAHRAM MOOSAVI JEET KUNE DO, KALI, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 