Bushido as an Ethical System
What you'll learn
- Be introduced to the ethical concepts of Bushido
- Understand the development of Bushido in relation to history
- Be able to understand and apply the ethics of Bushido for self-development
- Be introduced to and reflect on traditional East Asian works relating to the ethos of the Samurai
Requirements
- Martial arts experience or a desire to understand the ethics of martial arts is a plus, but not required
Description
Martial arts schools in the modern era have their teachings rooted deeply in Eastern thought and ideology. While all styles of Eastern martial arts have underlying influences rooted in a Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist thought, Japanese martial arts in particular have unified their ethical system into what is known as “Bushido” or “Way of the Warrior.” In their practice, martial arts practitioners have a sub culture of their own where through following rigorous training routines and a mindset dedicated to self-discipline and resolve, they are able to reach high levels of athleticism and accomplish great feats simply for the sake to be able to pass down their knowledge and training to future generations. Through the study of Bushido as an ethical system we can gain great insight into the mindset of martial artists and understand the philosophy that drives them.
Who this course is for:
- Martial Artists
- Philosophy Students
Instructor
![Justin Hagen, M.Ed](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 64 64"%3E%3C/svg%3E){kind=avatar}
- 4.5 Instructor Rating
- 22 Reviews
- 4,990 Students
- 3 Courses
Martial arts has been an incredibly influential part of my life since the age of 5 years old. Beginning with ITF Taekwondo in March of 1994 I would go on to compete in numerous tournaments and ultimately received my 2nd Degree Black Belt in 2002. In high school I switched styles and learned Isshin-Ryu Karate under Shihan Kim at J.H. Kim's Karate Institute in Wall, NJ. I received my 2nd Degree Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu in 2011 before going off to college at the University of Rhode Island.
While studying history and philosophy at URI I continued to pursue martial arts and took boxing, which was offered as club sport by the school in 2007 and continued until the program was discontinued in 2009. Also during this time I practiced Muay Thai at Borelli MMA in S. Kingston, RI from 2007-2008.
Upon graduating in 2011 with a BA in History and minor in Philosophy, I resumed boxing once again, this time at the Asbury Park Police Athletic League under coach Carl Simms and continued to box until April of 2016, ultimately having participated in 3 amateur fights including the 2014 Philadelphia Golden Gloves.
After boxing I pursued full contact martial arts and became a sparring partner for professional and amateur MMA & Muay Thai fighters at the American Top Team gym Hammer Fitness in Allentown, PA from December 2014 until April 2016. Also during this time I pursued full contact traditional arts, simultaneously training in both Kyokushin Karate under Shihan Roman Herman and WTF Taekwondo under Master Antonio Orlando. I have since competed in multiple Knockdown tournaments and currently hold the rank of 1st Dan in Kyokushin and 3rd Dan in WTF Taekwondo.
In 2018 I finished my Master's in Education from DeSales University, focusing heavily on the benefits of martial arts and Eastern philosophy on school age children in my final thesis.
Currently I am an educator for the public school system outside of Philadelphia, PA as well as a martial arts instructor of both WTF Taekwondo and Kyokushin Karate.