"Karate" translates as empty-handed, which implies a style of fighting. In Kempo-Goju you will learn how to fight, from the straight strikes of Japanese Goju to the circular blows of Chinese Kempo.  You will also be exposed to throws (Judo), using someone's mass and force against them (Aikido), and how to fight on the ground (Jujitsu).  At a more advanced level, students are introduced to a short staff known as the jo.  Various instructors throughout the system are experts in the katana, sai, and other weapons.

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Those are the tools. The immediate goal is to teach a person how to defend themselves and feel confident about what they can do with their bodies. As the student progresses, they learn a great deal about their own bodies - balance, coordination, and flexibility.  As a part of the training, students push their own personal boundaries.  When they approach the instructor's rank (black belt), they also learn to pass along that information and the understanding they are developing with it.

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With the development of mixed martial arts, karateka are often asked whether MMA or a more traditional school is better.  I think that is a question out of context.  To understand the differences I often use the following analogy.  Three people are walking home at night and cross the same dark alley.  The first person is not trained, sees it as a short cut home, and goes down it. That person gets mugged.

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Second person is a karateka who has trained for a couple years.  She/he sees the dark alley and recognizes it as a quick way home, but senses danger.  The go by because they have nothing to prove to anyone.

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Third person has trained in MMA.  He/she also sees it, recognizes it as a quick way home, and senses the danger, but goes down it. The difference isn't in who fights better or even who knows more.  The important difference between traditional martial arts and MMA is ego.  Not confidence mind you, ego. You'll also learn, from instructors to the newest students, to leave that at the door.