The Protector Ethic: Morality, Virtue, and Ethics in the Martial Way

by James V. Morganelli

Overview

Discover how the martial way leads to a protector ethic

The Protector Ethic is a deep dive exploring the principles and values that must anchor a modern warrior. The author is compelling, insightful, and not afraid of controversy.

As the book begins, we are thrust into the true story of a robbery turned homicide. It happens midday on a train. The victim is twenty-four, and the murderer is eighteen. What unfolds is nothing short of horrific, yet the other passengers refuse to help.

James V. Morganelli sees this as a symptom. When we are reluctant to defend ourselves, when we refuse to protect those around us, we become part of the disease.

As a martial artist and ethicist, the author says martial arts are much more than technical exercises. They offer us a “physical philosophy”—one that allows us to understand ourselves, teaches us about others, and demonstrates the true meaning of justice. They help us make difficult moral decisions. Ultimately, isn’t this why we train?

Readers will

• Understand natural law, protective instinct, and self-risk.
• Examine the martial way of valuing, reasoning, judging, and acting.
• Discover how moral relativism, political correctness, and contrived social-justice campaigns do not make people equal. They can actually dehumanize us.
• Recognize what it means to be an ethical warrior.

Only the great books address philosophy for the contemporary warrior, which is why such titles as Zen in the Martial Arts, Living the Martial Way, and Meditations on Violence have become modern classics. The Protector Ethic is an indispensable contribution to this conversation.

“Are you seeking ancient martial secrets?” Morganelli writes. “Here’s one. You already know how to defend yourself. A qualified instructor can run you through the basics, but that should take about ten minutes. After that, the serious work begins.”

The martial way only lives when we treat it as something that can die.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781594395581
Publisher:	YMAA Publication Center
Publication date:	02/01/2018
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

James V. Morganelli is a writer, award-winning screenwriter, and a teacher who has studied martial arts for forty years.

A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he majored in philosophy with a concentration in East Asian languages and culture. In 2013 he received a master of arts in social philosophy from Loyola UniversityChicago, where he concentrated his studies on applied ethics and natural law.

James has been certified in verbal defense and influence and is a master instructor in Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu of Japan, where he trained for three years. Upon his return from Japan, he founded the Shingitai-Ichi Dojo in 1998 to continue his training, teaching, and outreach. James is also a staff member at Resolution Group International—professional conflict-resolution experts dedicated to teaching ethical, verbal, and physical skills to civilians, law enforcement, and the military. It is headed by Jack Hoban. James lives in Chicago with his wife.

Table of Contents

Prologue Chapter 1 1. The Martial Is Moral Know Your Ought The Protector Ethic A Moral-Physical Philosophy On Ethics What More Than This? Look Death in the Face 2. To Value: Justice as Honor A Genuine Fake Respect: Owed or Earned? Justice or Just-Us? The Way of Justice The Moral as Martial: Honesty The Hunting Story A Warrant for Your Attest Aligning the Moral Compass Without Must, Ought, and Should The Polite Absurdity Honor Chapter 2—To Reason: Temperance as Integrity Stepping Forward Self-Risk Is Self-Worth Reason to Risk The Moral as Martial: Discipline Context Counts The Hero and the Warrior Integrity Chapter 3—To Judge: Prudence as Vigilance Wisdom from Knowledge The Painting or the Guard? Discerning Priorities Eye of the Beholder The Moral as Martial: Viability Enter the Ethical Warrior Vigilance Chapter 4—To Act: Courage as Rectitude The Storms of Human Nature Alligators Alligator Evil From Sun Tzu to Sensei Obvious The Moral as Martial: Ingenuity Take the World As It Is Only Real Is Real Rectitude Epilogue Works Cited About the Author Acknowledgments