[Ricochet]

That's very true. The combination of schools is what is modern. History has shown that a working ideal or philosophy may one day be trumped. For example; the phalanx invented by Alexander the Great was in use in one form or another for a very long time. Other Greek nations, northern tribes, and if course the Roman legion adapted these tactics to suit; but followed the same basic principles. Now, that pattern wouldn't work. Out of necessity, someone eventually came up with a way to negate that type of fighting; because they couldn't match either martial might, numbers, training, or funding of their opponents; but they "must" win for survival or freedom.

Modern day full contact sports are another good example of this. You don't often see purists in MMA anymore, and if you do, they tend to not do well. Although a strong application of Karate or Muay Thai may defeat Tai Kwon Do or Kung Fu; they may be bested by Judo, Wrestling, or Jujitsu (just an example, no need to start a thread on how traditional Goju-Ru would still beat Tiger Wu-Shu!). So now MMA for example blends all the winning attributes into a different aspect of martial force. The basic concept was the striking of boxing, the kick/knees/elbows of Muay Thai, the take downs of wrestling, and the submissions of jujitsu. Now of course it's very much become it's own thing and continues to grow.

The philosophical points would have been all that was useful when the first time an army if swords and spears went up against an army of guns and cannons...just sayin'.