Are we talking about moral courage or courage in a fight? I like what's been said I don't think I'll add much more. But I would like to comment on courage in a fight. I think it's directly related to the quality of training received. Stress inoculation, force-on-force, simulated weapons all contribute to combat output.
To beat another dead horse, the more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle. But that directly relates to why you're sweating. I think simunitions is a great way to train for a gunfight. I think full-contact sparring is a great way to train for a fist fight. The more realistic the training the better the output in reality.
Sharpening the Warrior's Edge by Bruce K. Siddle is a great read on the subject.
And experience has been our greatest teacher. Studies on soldier and officer effectiveness in deadly force encounters have shown a direct correlation between training quality and performance in a deadly force encounter.
So if we're talking having the courage to fight in a fight, I think that's directly related to the warrior's confidence in performing technique in a fight.
But, that's separate from having moral courage (not defining what is right or wrong) but having the character of courage vs the courage in a fight.
And there's nothing wrong with fear. Fear is that great little voice whispering good advise into your ear on how to stay alive. Fear is far different from debilitating fright and panic. Fear is what keeps your musket handy and your powder dry.
WA
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