Good Confucianism book (pdf) - Department of Physics

Opponents 81extremely important to an upper class trained in both literary and militaryaccomplishments.Sunzi ’ s Art of War is thought to be a combination of other military andstrategic texts. Like all the Strategists, Sunzi argues that any method, moralor immoral, can be used to win. Lately in the West it has been read, predictablyenough, as a way for corporations to win out over their competition.For Warring States rulers, war was a serious business: either one wona war or one was wiped out. So the text begins its advice to a ruler longbefore a war is underway. Warfare, for Sunzi, includes diplomacy, economicmeasures, and the use of spies. For the Strategists, the point is notonly to use these methods, but to do so with methodical planning.Sunzi talks a lot about planning in order to manipulate a situation untilit is to your advantage. One needs to begin with information, which is whyspies are so important. Then one must go on to weigh the situation andto make plans.The use of spies and deceit to deal with one ’ s enemy was essential. “ Thereason that a farsighted ruler and his commander are able to conquer anenemy is that they know things first. This does not come from consultingthe gods or the ancestors, but from spies who learn the enemy ’ s situation. ” 20Sunzi devotes a chapter to the effective use of spies of all sorts. Using theinformation a ruler can get from spies, a ruler might be able to sow dissensionin another state, to encourage sons to rebel against their father, orto finance a noble family ’ s bid to oust the ruling family.The best victories have nothing to do with winning a battle and killing allyour enemies. The best victory is to win a war without going to war at all. Ifyou can bring about the downfall of the enemy state without a battle, thenyou have not only not risked your own state, but you have won another.If you must go to war, you are already on shaky ground. In that case,Sunzi ’ s advice is to never enter a battle that one might lose. The ruler mustbe certain of victory before committing his forces. Again, using spies andencouraging deserters from the other side will allow the ruler, or his general,to calculate when to fight and when to retreat. Sunzi says,Warfare is the Way of dishonesty. So, when you are able to act, make itlook like you cannot. When you are ready to attack, make it look like youare not ready. When you are near your enemy, make it seem like you are faraway; when you are far away, make it look like you are nearby … if yourenemy is united, sow disharmony among them. Attack only when they arenot prepared. Be where they will not expect you. 21The Way that a successful ruler must follow is the Way of dishonesty.Strategists were not interested in morality, ritual, or argument. Success, byany means, was all that mattered.