“The Art of War” is a masterpiece of military theory written by Sun Wu, a strategist in the Spring and Autumn Period of China. It is also one the earliest and most outstanding military works handed down in the world today. It is called “the first military book in ancient times in the world.”
The Art of War contains 13 chapters in total. Each chapter is both self-contained and coherent with each other, forming a complete military ideological system. It reflects the general laws of war to a certain extent, summarizes the guiding principles of combat with scientific value, and has a broad and profound impact on later generations.
Its brilliant achievements and outstanding contributions in classical military theory are inseparable from its simple materialism and dialectical thinking. Through a concise and profound dialectical perspective, it explores the interrelationship between the outcome of war and subjective and objective factors. It can be said that “The Art of War” is an important work based on ancient military theory and embodies the principles of epistemology and dialectics. This article will discuss the philosophical thoughts in “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu.
A Plain Materialist View of War
War and politics
The basic idea of Sun Wu’s view on war is to improve politics and ensure the rule of law, so that we can have the power to decide the outcome of the war. Sun Wu’s basic thoughts on war emphasize the close connection between politics and war.
The first chapter of “The Art of War”, “Laying Plans”, puts forward the important concept of “five constant factors and seven considerations”. The “five constant factors” are the five basic factors that determine the outcome of a war, namely Tao, weather, location, generals, and legal system. The “seven considerations” are seven aspects that compare the advantages and disadvantages of the enemy and ourselves, including:
- (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?
- (2) Which of the two generals has most ability?
- (3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
- (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
- (5) Which army is stronger?
- (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
- (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?
Sun Wu placed “Tao” in the first place and emphasized it as the primary condition for victory. He mentioned: “The Tao means that the people agree with the superiors, so they can die with them and live with them without fear of danger.” The “Tao” here refers to the political principles that reflect the will of the emerging landlord class at that time. .Specifically, this means that only when the people and the monarch reach a consensus, common goals and ideas, can they be of one mind, bear risks together, and live and die for the monarch. This unity puts them in a good position to “win before fighting” because they are already politically and spiritually unified, which helps ensure the success of military operations. This concept emphasizes the important relationship between politics and military affairs in “The Art of War” and emphasizes the necessity of unified political leadership for military success.
War and economy
Sun Wu also conducted a systematic analysis of the close relationship between war and economy. He realized that war must be based on the country’s economic strength. Without strong economic power as a backing, the war cannot be won.Sun Wu also systematically analyzed the close relationship between war and economy. He recognized that war must be based on the economic strength of the country, and that war cannot be won without the backing of strong economic power. Using dialectical materialism, he clarified that “the size of the territories of the two sides determines the amount of resources and the number of armies, which in turn form the ratio of the forces of the two sides”. These form the material basis for victory or defeat in war. Therefore, war is in fact a competition between physical forces, and the military power of both sides must be carefully weighed.
Sun Wu regarded military strength as an important condition for victory in the war. He advocated”win the war without fighting“, using powerful force to overwhelm the opponent and force him to surrender, which must also be backed by economic strength. He believed that war consumes a huge amount of money.Therefore, he advocated “quick victory, not a long fight”, minimizing the economic burden on the country and striving for quick victory. This shows the unity of opposites between war and peace, and the need to fully consider the economic strength of the country in the strategic planning of war.
Pay attention to war and war with caution
“The Art of War” is not only a work about the laws of war and victory, it also contains the laws of peace and the rules for maintaining peace. Therefore, this work clearly stated at the beginning: “The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”This is a warning to recognize that war is a major matter closely related to the survival of a nation and must be handled with care.
In the text, Sun Wu emphasizes the principle of “Do not take military action if it is not beneficial to your country; do not use military force if you are not sure of victory; do not engage in war if you are not in a dangerous situation“. The importance of avoiding waging war rashly because of anger or resentment. He emphasized the irreversibility of war, while anger and resentment can be calmed. He did not encourage rash action but advocated the idea of “war with caution”. This suggests that war should be a last resort and must be conducted under the decision-making of wise monarchs and prudent generals.
This dialectical thought has been verified in the history of war. Countries that are too bellicose or too neglectful of armament matters will pay the price. Sun Wu’s views embody a correct and positive philosophy of war, emphasizing the importance of balance and prudence. This is the embodiment of the dialectical thinking in his view of war.
The epistemology of war by “knowing your enemy and yourself”
The epistemology of war is a wonderful part of Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, which has been highly evaluated by Mao Zedong: “The ancient Chinese great militarist Sun Wu Zi book knowing the enemy and knowing oneself, a hundred battles will not be in peril‘ This sentence, which includes two stages of learning and using, includes recognizing the laws of development of the objective reality and deciding one’s own actions according to these laws”; “Sun Tzu’s law knowing the enemy and knowing oneself, a hundred battles will not be in peril’, remains a scientific truth”.
Know the enemy and know yourself
Sun Wu emphasized the importance of knowing the enemy and knowing oneself, which is because in war, one can only win if one fully understands both the enemy and oneself. This is the embodiment of materialistic thinking, which guides tao strategy and the use of military force by objectively analyzing the situation of both sides.
Predictability and the Opposition to Superstition
Sun Wu firmly opposed superstition and divination and other methods to predict the outcome of war, emphasizing that the outcome of war can be predicted through human cognition and analysis. He believed that wise kings and wise generals should not rely on ghosts and gods, but should rely on understanding and analysis of the enemy’s situation.
Emphasis on subjective initiative
Sun Wu did not just rely on objective conditions, he also emphasized subjective initiative. He pointed out that a good warrior should first solve his own weaknesses, make no mistakes, be invincible, and then wait for the enemy to make mistakes. Waiting here is not passive waiting, he also emphasized the need to make the enemy make mistakes and expose his weaknesses through subjective efforts, strategies and tactics. Thus achieving victory.
Predict in advance, plan in advance, win in advance
Sun Wu’s strategy emphasizes foreseeing the prospect of victory.He encouraged predicting the outcome of the war on the basis of investigation and research, relying on the understanding, mastery and analysis of various basic situations and conditions to estimate the overall war, victory or defeat, and battlefield dynamics, and make “early responses”. Predict the odds of winning. Create conditions for victory in advance to ensure an invincible position in the battle.
In general, Sun Wu conveyed many important views on the philosophy of war in “The Art of War”. His materialistic thinking, the combination of objectivity and subjective initiative, and the scientific prediction of war all provided Chinese military philosophy. With profound guidance, these ideas still have great significance in military strategy.
The Thought of Military Dialectics
In the process of studying war experience, Sun Wu showed extremely rich ideas of simple dialectics. He advocated analyzing the nature and development laws of things from the inherent contradictions of all things, and striving for the transformation of contradictions.
Contradictions between benefits and harms
In terms of his attitude towards war, Sun Wu realized that war has both benefits and disadvantages. Examine the contradiction between benefits and harms to strengthen confidence in the benefits and take preventive measures in the harms. Precisely because he realizes that there are contradictions in everything, when studying the development laws of war, he can start from the categories of opposites, from subject and object, , strength and weakness, division and combination, offense and defense, advance and retreat, routine and change, false and true, Starting from the factors such as movement and stillness, bravery and cowardice, we analyze the nature of these contradictions and the conditions for mutual transformation, and establish a complete set of strategic and tactical theories.
The relationship between routine and change
Sun Wu’s simple dialectical thinking, the discussion of the transformation of contradictions, and the most prominent, the most creative part of the war situation is about the routine and changes in the transformation of each other.
Routine and change is an important philosophical proposition in the ancient art of war. “Routine” as a military law of the law, can be said to refer to the general laws of war, “change” as a military law of contingency, can be said to refer to the special laws of war. Of course, the application of this special law itself is also a universal law.
Generally speaking, the open frontal battle is “conventional”, the hidden detour attack is “change”, the static battle is “conventional”, the movement to destroy the enemy is “change”. change”. “Change” and “routine” are inseparable unity of opposites. “Change” to “routine” as the basis, “change” from the “routine” generated, no The “positive” is not the so-called “change”.” Change” and “routine” can be interdependent and transformed.
The content and methods of “Routine and Change” are constantly evolving. No matter whether it is routine or change, we cannot adopt static tactics. War is full of risks. Be brave and good at taking risks when using tactics. The adventurous spirit must be based on investigation and research as much as possible. This thinking emphasizes the guiding principles and the ability to continually change and adapt in warfare.
The philosophical ideas of “Sun Tzu’s Art of War” have wide applicability and have achieved success not only in the military field, but also in many fields. It emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, flexibility, and objective analysis, ideas that remain deeply influential in today’s world and provide powerful guidance for solving a variety of complex problems.
Sun Tzu’s Philosophy in Today’s World
The philosophical ideas of “Sun Tzu’s Art of War” have wide applicability and have achieved success not only in the military field, but also in many fields. It emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, flexibility, and objective analysis, ideas that remain deeply influential in today’s world and provide powerful guidance for solving a variety of complex problems.
Politics: The “deterrence” strategy implemented by many countries in the world today and the strategy of peaceful evolution of socialist countries implemented by the United States are the application of Sun Wu’s strategic thinking of “conquering the enemy without fighting.”
Economics and business management: Some companies also changed their business methods and theories based on Sun Tzu’s Art of War. After that, their efficiency increased dramatically.
Sports competition: Some sports teams and coaches also adopt Sun Tzu’s ideas to improve tactics and training methods. Sun Tzu’s ideas that emphasize flexibility and tactical changes can be used to gain advantages in sports competitions.
In conclusion, Sun Tzu’s Art of War, with its meticulous military and philosophical thought system, profound philosophy, ever-changing applications, and ever-new exploratory flavor, has won a wide range of worldwide influence, and exploring the philosophical thought of Sun Tzu’s Art of War has an important value.
Extended reading
Who is Sun Tzu? A brief introduction to Sun Tzu’s whole life
The Art of War Summary by Chapter
Meaning of Sun Tzu win without fighting
Meaning of Sun Tzu’s quote Know the enemy and know yourself