Sun Zi’s Art of War; Path to Peace

A Term Paper
Presented to the
Faculty of Arts and Letters
University of Santo Tomas

In Partial Fulfillment
of the requirements for the Degree
Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy

By

June Phillip S. Cabacungan

4PHL1

May 10, 2019

 Abstract

We are living in a time where if not under the threat then at least with the
possibility of a war which can anytime spark, war is capable of destroying our
civilization and perhaps all higher forms of life on the planet.1 But where do
these conflicts came from? Is peace still attainable even though humans are
competing with each other? It is unavoidable for man to use violence when he
is in competition with others.2 Given this situation, competition with other
will only result to chaos and the way to peace has a blurry path. However, this
paper will explain that peace is still possible in these desperate times.
because of Sun Zi’s careful study of war he wrote a book and developed the
Art of War which is a famous book in terms of war and leadership. Sun Zi was
considered as one of the world’s finest military strategists,3 where he
presented different strategies to win a war. In this paper, i will try to discuss if
his concept of Art of War carries a message of peace that would possibly be a
verge of peace towards man’s desposition of excessive competition that
results man to become a “war-making animal.”

I. Introduction

The problem of today is that many minds face problems and tragedies but
has no particular solution to solve the problem. In this present time, man is
confronting distinctive sort of life circumstances and diverse degrees of life
that occasionally placed man into a conflict. The penchant of man inside
himself to contend, to have a superior life, gain control and to battle to achieve
a specific level of objective in life ends up grievous that if not been
conditioned down would result to a more terrible issue.

At the point when the countries of the world are distracted with their
financial needs and potential outcomes and are squeezing for their central
rights, the likelihood here and there is they stifle other to support their very

1 Gallie, Walter B. Understanding War. London: Routledge, 1991.

2. Classen, Albrecht, and Nadia Margolis. War and Peace: Critical Issues in European Societies
and Literature 800-1800. Berlin: De Gruyter, 2011.
3 Co, Alfredo P. Philosophy of Ancient China: The Blooming of a Hundred Flowers. Manila,
Philippines: University of Santo Tomas, 2009.
own necessities. Consequently, the likelihood of war against the two is being
unavoidable. Be that as it may, on what perspective in this circumstance does
the idea of Art of War of Sun Zi will have the capacity to make a route towards
the edge of pacifism? Since war, since forever, has demonstrated an ability to
breakout once again in surprising spots from unexpected causes, and
frequently at new dimensions of ruinous tendency. In any case, this paper
would display the idea of Sun Zi's specialty of war and how it would be
pertinent in making a route towards pacifism and how it would help in
tending to man's self-centeredness and over the top affinity in rivalry.

II. Man, as a “war-making animal”

Man, is commonly defined by many philosophers according to what aspect

and to what rationality a man possesses. The classic philosophical notion that
‘Man is a rational animal’ and ‘Man as a political animal’, has more more
recent characterization of man as ‘a religious animal’ (Burke), ‘a tool making
animal’ (Franklin), a ‘huckstering animal’ (Adam Smith), ‘a productive animal’
(Mars).4 These distinctive meanings of man demonstrates man's wide
assortment of abilities. In any case, That's not all. There are still a few
definitions or depictions to man that is some way or another negative. As
what this section characterizes man as 'a war making animal', this term
recommends that man has an aggressive nature that if not controlled or
conditioned down would make devastation in connection with other
individuals. In looking towards the mankind's history, a portion of the
authentic war can be attached in man's craving to accomplish a specific
objective in which it makes him smother while paying little respect to the
results that it would make. For fighting is more shocking than seismic tremor
or fountain of liquid magma, a disasters in which, somehow, man is
powerlessly gotten up to speed. Man turned into his very own casualty
activity and the outcomes continues from these activities. It is in fact just a
more rough sign of consistent battles among men and between gatherings
because of normal impulses of rivalry and competition, yet the level of its
physical brutality separates, and present day fighting hassucceeded in
startling if not shocking our consciences unlike before.5 This was the

4 Ibid.
5 Ibid.
consequence man needed yo faced. As a result, towards these uncontrolled
dispositions of man toward war and having little knowledge of it will spark up
a chaos and it resulted many destructions through the development of our
history. It can be judged as tragedy, as sin, as catastrophe, or as a sheer
stupidity.6

III. Sun Zi’s Concept of Art of War

“War is a matter of vital importance

to the State; The province of life and
death; the road to survival or ruin”7

Sun Zi is considered one of the world’s finest military strategist.8 He

studied carefully about the war situation during his time. It is said that he
lived some time in 512 B.C.9 Sun Zi considered war as an art and for him it is a
matter of basic importance to the state and to the country. He planned
different tactics and ways on how to easily defeat the enemy but because of
his intensive study of war, he found a way to add his morality in his book The
Art of War. The Art of War shows the basic principles of warfare and gives
military leaders advices and tips on when and how to fight with strategic
thinking.10 This is to be proficient on when and how to fight a battle and to
utilize compel. In any case, he was clear in introducing and thinking about
numerous things in managing war. He displayed diverse classifications in
which he talked about specific things that must be considered in war. He was
pointing that war isn't only a straightforward thing that man ought to include
oneself effortlessly in light of the fact that it involves life and demise; a street
to survival or destroy.

6 Ibid
7 Co, Alfredo P.Philosophy of Ancient China: The Blooming of a Hundred Flowers. Manila,
Philippines: University of Santo Tomas, 2009.
8 Ibid.
9 Ibid.
10
History.com. Accessed November 24, 2018. https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-
china/the-art-of-war.
 A. Laying plans

The Art of War, at that point, is administered by the consistent elements,

to be considered in one's consideration, when trying to decide In this area the
accentuation is on the viable sending of assets, yet more so on the
investigation of what is expected to win. The individuals who have the
technique to win will in the primary be fruitful. The consummate leader
manages the moral law, and strictly complies to method and discipline; thus it
is in his power to control success.11. To clutch one's order is to clutch
achievement. Because this is what would educate the people, the moral
awareness and discipline awareness.

B. Energy

Accomplishment in any endeavor is a factor of understanding one's

qualities and shortcomings, and guaranteeing that vitality is conveyed
adequately. Sun Tzu unmistakably distinguishes the need to be mindful about
depending essentially on power and size, which may in reality being
counterproductive. In all battles, the direct method maybe used for joining
battles, yet indirect strategies will be expected to guarantee triumph. In the
event that one doesn't have to include and to squander vitality, one must not
include himself for it is equivalent to the annihilation of life of the general
population.

C. Weak points and strong

Therefore, if you are strong, you appear weak; if you are organized, you
appear disorganized.12 One must know the enemy’s strength and weakness
and also one’s strength and weakness. At the same time, you need to
understand the relative position of your opponents in order to exploit their
weaknesses, then ensure that you do not create a consistent picture, which

11 Ibid.
12 Hawkins, David E.2005. Sun Tzu and the Project Battle Ground. United Kingdom: Palgrave
Macmillan.
can be predictable, and maintain adaptability to react to change.13 This would
ensure the possibility to defend oneself for big destruction

D. Terrain

In Sun Tzu’s terms, any general must have a clear view of the terrain and
the obstacles or advantages that this may provide. If we know that are men
are not in condition to attack, we have gone only halfway to In this section the
emphasis is on the effective deployment of resources, but more so on the
analysis of what is needed to win.14 Those who have the strategy to win will in
the main be successful. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and
strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control
success.15 To hold on to one’s discipline is to hold on to success. Because this
is what would train the people the moral awareness and discipline awareness.

E. Energy

Success in any venture is a factor of understanding one’s strengths and

weaknesses, and ensuring that energy is deployed effectively. Sun Tzu clearly
identifies the need to be cautious about relying simply on power and size,
which may in fact being counterproductive. In all fighting, the direct method
maybe used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed to ensure
victory.16 If one does not need to involve and to waste energy, one must not
involve himself for it would be tantamount to the destruction of life of the
people.

13 Zi, Sun, and Bing Fa. Sun Zi The Art of War as Translated by Lionel Giles. London: Oxford
University Press. 1963
14 Hawkins, David E. Sun Tzu and the Project Battle Ground. United Kingdom: Palgrave

Macmillan. 2005.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
 F. Weak points and strong

Therefore, if you are strong, you appear weak; if you are organized, you
appear disorganized.17 One must know the enemy’s strength and weakness
and also one’s strength and weakness. At the same time, you need to
understand the relative position of your opponents in order to exploit their
weaknesses, then ensure that you do not create a consistent picture, which
can be predictable, and maintain adaptability to react to change.18 This would
ensure the possibility to defend oneself for big destruction

G. Terrain

In Sun Tzu’s terms, any general must have a clear view of the terrain and
the obstacles or advantages that this may provide. If we know that are men
are not in condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards towards
victory.19 This is to give importance to the people and the society’s army. In
knowing this following things, the life of the people would not be quickly
being disposed like the other people who are waging war without knowing
these possible things that would harm their own people in the society.

H. The nine situations

The art of war recognizes the nine variety of ground: Dispersive ground,
facile ground, contentious ground, open ground, ground of intersecting
highways, serious ground, difficult ground, hemmed-in ground and desperate
ground.20 This would determine the time and the proper opportunity on when
to involve oneself to war. These nine situations that Sun Zi has presented
would help the leader to plan well and to win the battle with less casualties

17 Hawkins, David E. Sun Tzu and the Project Battle Ground. United Kingdom: Palgrave
Macmillan. 2005.
18 Sun Zi Bing Fa, Sun Zi The Art of War as translated by Lionel Giles. London: Oxford

University Press. 1963

19 Ibid.
20 Ibid.
 I. The use of spies

Along these lines, what empowers the savvy sovereign and the great
general to strike and overcome, and accomplish things past the scope of
conventional men, is foreknowledge. Utilizing spies is one of the mystery
weapon in winning the fight. Having a spy would almost certainly be an
approach to penetrate the other to have a foreknowledge in winning a war.
Having a fore learning in this war circumstance would help the planning
system and shorten the season of war and then again to not take part in war
on the off chance that it isn't essential.

IV. A Way to Pacifism

Sun Zi was a genuine general who acknowledges war as a significant

unavoidable truth which must be completely contemplated and in the process
seen that in its supernatural sense, war is a workmanship that must be
scholarly. In taking in the Art of War of Sun Zi, one would likewise know about
its ethical ramifications and the outcomes of the war that will occur. This
would have the capacity to influence man to understand the truth of war and
outcomes of it. Since the propensity of some in taking up arms is simply to
retaliate for and to fulfill one's sure objective and need. In any case, to be
proficient of the specialty of war, one would have the capacity to understand
the outcome of the activity of war. In any case, it would appear to be
conflicting that in knowing the specialty of war, one would have the capacity
to take in his way towards the limit of harmony. This is the thing that this
paper is about, it is to take in the information of the art of war and its
ramification for one would be ethically mindful of this thing. For knowing
infers duty and in knowing the specialty of war, one will know whether it is
fundamental for one to participate in war.
The important idea across The Art of War is the power of accurate
information.21 Sun Zi’s Art of War cannot be easily understood by the reader.
Furthermore, one of the important ideas of Sun Tzu’s classic strategy guide is:

21 Barker, Eric. "Sun Tzu's Art of War: How Ancient Strategy Can Lead to Modern Success."
Time. June 02, 2014. Accessed November 24, 2018. http://time.com/2801517/sun-
tzus-art-of-war-how-ancient-strategy-can-lead-to-modern-success/.
the power of information.22 Also, in the event that one would have the
capacity to get the accurate information and the reason for Sun Zi's art of war,
this would infer to open one's moral awareness and this moral awareness will
be the guide in the path towards harmony in each man. But man also need to
be careful for this could also be misunderstood and can be used in the
negative sense.

It is like in the example of the scalpel. If a scalpel can be used to commit a

murder and a cutlass to perform an amputation, that does not mean there is
no moral significance in the difference between the two implements. A
surgeon’s scalpel on the steward’s requisition list for a merchant vessel would
cause nobody any harm; two dozen cutlasses might. This is depending on the
proper use of the object and in a proper way in which this thing is made of.
The point is commonly made that instruments are designed in relation to
purposes they were conceived for.23 So it is likewise the sameas the book of
Sun Zi the art of war, in a positive sense it can be utilized to procure learning,
know the outcomes of war and to realize when to draw in oneself to war as to
know its ethical ramifications and to open ones moral awareness. Be that as it
may, then again, in the negative sense, one can mishandle the utilization of
this and make a destruction out of it. That is for what reason is mentioned
earlier that the important topic all throughout the Art of War is the power of
accurate information

Therefore Sun Zi consider the things when one would take part in utilizing
power. It is just when enemy couldn't be overwhelmed by these methods then
the remedy is armed force, which was to be connected with the goal that
triumph was gained: at the least possible amount of lives and efforts that will
be brought out.; with infliction on the enemy of the fewest possible
casualties.24 This is to have a less harm and less setbacks yet over all it is to
educate somebody that moral awareness is critical in this idea and through
this mindfulness that man would have the capacity to achieve the edge of
harmony. This would likewise pass on the conditioning down man's excessive
desire for rivalry or competition in securing a specific objective.

22 Ibid.
23 ODonovan, Oliver. The Just War Revisited. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2006.
24 Zi, Si Bing Fa, Sun Zi The Art of War as translated by Samuel B. Griffith. London: Oxford
University Press. 1963
 V. Conclusion

Looking completely into the idea of Sun Zi's art of war, we could unmistakably
observe how knowledgeable he is in managing war and in going up against
any circumstance that is connected with this. Through reading his work and to
have the capacity to know his work one would have the capacity to apply it in
various part of life in a major war as well as war with ourselves. For we are
living each day in a manner of decision making. In addition to that, we are also
having a battle with ourselves. Also, this book of Sun Zi would extremely open
one's moral awareness and through this one would have the capacity to know
the result of each action he makes. In this sense, man would be able to
discover the path towards pacifism for the most ideal route in winning a war
is to win the war within ourselves and peace would begin inside ourselves. Let
us give ourselves a chance to confront the truth that we are confronting
different problems,even war problems however this can only be resolve by
having the capacity to be morally aware of one's actions.In the end Sun Zi
wrote in his Art of war that“A sovereign does not raise an army because he is
enraged, nor does a general fight because he is resentful. For while an enraged
man may again be happy, and a resentful man may again be pleased, a state
that has perished cannot be restored, nor can the dead man be brought back
to life again.” In each war that we have, we are confronting the greatest
approach to outperform, it is to win without battling for we realize that for
each situation prevention is better than cure
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