In your opinion, what principles define JKD?
In your opinion, how does JKD differ from other martial arts/martial philosophies?
Why should someone choose to study JKD versus other martial arts/martial philosophies? 
- The teacher
2. The teacher
3. The teacher
The consistent principles are being able to fight in all ranges and the use of the 5 methods of attack.
JKD is supposed to be based on one training to fight based on ones own mental/physical characteristics, not someone else's
This requires continued training and sparring to develop the skills necessary in all ranges and find what is comfortable for the individual. Always pay attention to the transition from one range to the other. That is where you get caught.
jrrrrr - The consistent principles are being able to fight in all ranges and the use of the 5 methods of attack.
JKD is supposed to be based on one training to fight based on ones own mental/physical characteristics, not someone else's
This requires continued training and sparring to develop the skills necessary in all ranges and find what is comfortable for the individual. Always pay attention to the transition from one range to the other. That is where you get caught.
TYVM for your answer.
What do you consider the ranges to be?
What are the five methods of attack?
I agree about transitions.
for the below ranges I am going by the normative one vs one fight. If we went to a more self defense range base, we would need the ranges to include hand held weapons like knives, longer range weapons such as firearms, etc.
trad jkd ranges are kicking, punching, trapping, grappling. More MMA inclined ranges are strking (people are not in direct contact with eachother), clinch and grappling.
I'm uisng yahoos answer for the 5 methods of attack.
http://voices.yahoo.com/jeet-kune-5-ways-attack-6114352.html
A Single Direct Attack is a strike (punch or kick) in a single motion aiming at a specific target. This strategy requires speed and accuracy with the main goal of launching and successfully landing unanticipated attack.
Attacking by combinitions is a series of strikes aiming at a single or multiple targeted areas. The main goal is to overwhelm the opponents defense and catch the opponent with a a single or several strikes.
Attack by Drawing is the act of luring your opponent to commit to a specific action (either defensive or offensive). as soon as the baited action has been committed it is intercepted or answered by a counter.
An Attack by immobilization comes in many forms, Clinching, grappling, hair pulling and so on. It is the act of physically controlling the opponents limb, neck, head, body, and even shirt to either create openings for attacks or for defensive reasons.
a Progressive Indirect Attack is faking an action in order to create an opening to deliver a strike to the unexpected area instead. the purpose of the fake can be many such as: gaining distance, creating an opening, or to disguise the preparation of a specific strike.
The emphasis on Simplification to primarily rely on footwork (stepping/shifting) to deliver and avoid attacks with explosive mass accelerated movement:)
Paul,
You are right. Pull my finger.
[YOUTUBE]Rkq6rM_0he8[/YOUTUBE]
JKD is a martial philosophy, not a martial art.
"Absorb what is useful, discard what is not."
That's JKD. That's all of JKD.