Abstract

Thinkers have been applying long-standing martial arts philosophies to a variety of professional genres for years. Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” tends to be the most widely used, but one may also find Miyamoto Musashi’s “The Book of Five Rings” and others, particularly applied in the business realm. Where these ideas find less traction though is in the realm of education, specifically higher education, as some of the philosophies operate better in the boardroom than in the classroom. However, much of the experience associated with martial arts provides an alternate prism to view conflicts and difficulties in the field of higher education, particularly student affairs. This discussion will not seek to apply Sun Tzu’s, Musashi’s, or any other prominent martial arts theorist’s opinions to higher education. Instead, in the context of personal narrative, the author will draw upon his experience as a martial artist as well as his theoretical and experiential learning in student affairs in order to expand the discussions on a variety of concerns within the field. In particular, the work addresses some of the concerns discussed in “Contested Issues in Student Affairs: Diverse Perspectives and Respectful Dialogue,” so as to provide direct, pragmatic solutions and the means for functional application.