Since we have mentioned "master", I believe a person can be a Master of a certain art in itself, but as far as combat and self defense are concerned, I don't believe in a Master because it gives the impression that someone is the master of all different forms of hand to hand combat and since the face of hand to hand in relationship to self defense, warfare, etc, are constantly evolving, i don't believe in can be mastered by any one person 100%

Logically you are right no one will know everything about every method of fignting. But on a human level do you have to know everything to make what you do work for you in almost every situation? If you are a Master its a given term by your peers its not a title that you give yourself.
If one Masters his field of study he don't have to know every method he just have to know what works for him.

For example Bill Gates Windows everybody knows that Macintosh OS is far superior, but what makes windows popular is that it can be used in almost every situation or application that you can think of. Surlly there are are some beyond its purpose or use. I would say that Bill Gates is a Master of advertisng his products and destroy all competition.

Like Mushasi (the author of Book of 5 rings) he had master his fear of dying and it enhance his ability to use his sword fighting skills, he was indeed a Master. A Master is a specific skill level in a particular field. Its not all knowing or all seeing nor is it invicilbility. It is not a God like ability, its just far above the normal mans knowledge and skill in a particular learned skill. Nothing mystic to it.

I agree there are No Masters of all forms of Combats skill. But I asked who ever said there was? Only Masters of spefic fields of study, and usually you asked them if they are a Master. They will say, " No I've yet to Master inner self, let alone my outer abilities." Its a given title from your peers.

Thats all, you don't grow wings. Nor do you know all there is to know.

IMHO, the more I learn about martial art, I realize the more I don't know in martial art.... everyone's definition of "expert" or "master" is different.

I agree but that don't mean they don't exist. Most people that dedicate 15-20-30 years into something and it works and they can train others and it works. What title would you give them? You have Expert Mechanic, Plumbers, Electricans, Criminology, Experts in certain fields of medicine, Experts in certain fields of Physcology, Diamond examination, forensic, & Dog training. Why can't there be an Expert in Martial art in spefic field of study non of the before mentioned are Experts in the others fields, why would an Expert in the Martial art have to know all methods of the MAs or fighting? Do you feel it takes away from Us, that someone else is considered an Expert, Do we feel its so hard to phatom thats its impossible? An Expert can't still be a Student, constantly learning?

I think we make it harder then it has to be. But as you stated everybody entitled to thier oppinion.

Master as a termmeans that they have mastered the techniques not that they are the best in the world or that they are undefeated in their chosen forum of expertise. However you are right in that to the initiate, master carries a connotation of omnipotence that can be unhealthy.

Master is a western term.It has many meanings if you look at the difinition.Traditionaly the Chinese don't call them self master.Sifu is used but it does not mean master.IMO it's to call your self a master if you really know your art and have spent a long time studying it.But I agree your peers are the one that betowes to you the title master.

There is too much mysticism and awe regarded these words. Master is merely the persons who exhibit the greatest mastery over the chosen art. These people are the people who have the greatest mastery in their fields. You can definitely say that a man has a "masters" in science but not think that he knows everything there is to know. Morihei Ueshiba was a martial master, Musashi was a master, there are many modern masters too. No one would say (least of all the masters) that they know everything. Any master of ANY discipline will tell you that the more you know, the less that you KNOW that you don't know.

ahh don't let it get to ya. if you start questioning the meaning of every word, your head will explode.

that's like trying to answer this stupid question
Why is it that raindrops, but snowfalls?