About point 3, I'm not sure whether the comparison to system 1/2 really sticks. It's not like swordfighting is a rational thing, though that doesn't mean it's irrational either. It's intuition, instinct, and that's neither rational nor irrational.
Super interesting insight - I actually remember listening to an episode of Jocko Willink’s podcast where he discussed what he called “an old-school method of self-defence” (I couldn’t find what it as called!) used in WW2 based entirely on gross motor movements, so big swings and exaggerated movements to account for the stress of the situation and that fine movements are incredibly difficult to execute in that high-stress environment. So definitely, to an extent - but if you’ve ever practiced Iaido or Iaijutsu, it’s very controlled and rational rather than instinctual or irrational.
So I think there’s room for both irrationality and rationality in martial arts!
About point 3, I'm not sure whether the comparison to system 1/2 really sticks. It's not like swordfighting is a rational thing, though that doesn't mean it's irrational either. It's intuition, instinct, and that's neither rational nor irrational.
Super interesting insight - I actually remember listening to an episode of Jocko Willink’s podcast where he discussed what he called “an old-school method of self-defence” (I couldn’t find what it as called!) used in WW2 based entirely on gross motor movements, so big swings and exaggerated movements to account for the stress of the situation and that fine movements are incredibly difficult to execute in that high-stress environment. So definitely, to an extent - but if you’ve ever practiced Iaido or Iaijutsu, it’s very controlled and rational rather than instinctual or irrational.
So I think there’s room for both irrationality and rationality in martial arts!