Self-defense

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This article should be merged with Self-defence (law).

Self-defense (or self-defence) usually refers to the use of violence to protect oneself; this forms the basis for many of the martial arts. Self-defense is generally understood to have two degrees: reasonable force (or non-lethal force) and deadly force.

National self-defense against a war of aggression, refer to defensive war and theories on just wars.

Courts generally find that the violence a defendant uses, in self-defense, must in some fashion be comparable to the threat faced, so that deadly force should only be used in situations of "extreme" danger.

Self-defense is a possible justification for what would otherwise be breaking the law. Defendants who use this defense argue that they should not be held liable for what is normally a crime, since the actions taken were intended to protect the defendant or others from danger.

Many courts have ruled that a "path of retreat" exists, and that self-defense is only acceptable, as a legal defense, when there was insufficient opportunity for the defendant to flee. However, in defense of property, the "castle exception" (see: Edward Coke) argues that one cannot be expected to retreat from one's own home.

Courts tend to rule against the right of an individual to "preemptively" engage in self-defense. For example, victims of domestic violence are generally not considered justified in murdering an individual whom they believe will someday attack with lethal force.

Many martial arts are less effective for self defense today than they were in days of old. Styles such as karate, kung fu and tae kwon-do are more focused on the sports, show, and traditional aspects of the arts, although many good schools also teach self defense classes.

There are surprisingly few martial arts styles that teach real fighting techniques for self-defense. From the martial arts practiced world-wide two such styles are Brazilian jiu jitsu, and Krav Maga. In the US & Canada, Jim Wagner and Chris St-Jacques, Jim's number 1 student, have acquired a good reputation with there 'Reality Based' training scenarios.