Cornelia Tjandra

The Art of War and Its Background History The Art of War is probably one of the most well-known pieces of ancient Chinese literature in the world. The brevity and versatility of the book keeps it popular even to this day. Though it was first written as a military strategy and warfare guide, it is also applicable to live outside of the military, such as in marketing and business strategy, legal strategy, and even sports game strategy. With such deep and profound influence, it is odd how few people know and recognize the background of the era which gave birth of this book. A Period of Division and Dread for the People Well-known as the “Spring and Autumn” period of China, China was divided into several small states ruled by local rulers instead of the infamous empire we mostly associate with ancient China today. There are fourteen major kingdoms in China during this time and they were constantly at a power tug-of-war; each state’s ruler looked to conquer the others and take China for themselves. Live was uncertain, pillages were common, and everyone was in a constant fear. The rulers’ quest of power and domination was executed at the expense of their people. The Rise of Chinese Philosophy The worst of time brings out the best of people; that saying is true in the Warring States period. As the politics of power tore people’s lives, education and literacy appeared as a way of adaptation. The educated class quickly rose up in governmental ranks along with the rising need for diplomacy and bureaucracy. So too philosophers; this era birthed some of China’s most famous and enduring philosophers such as Confucius, Motzi, and Sun Tzu himself. The Chinese philosophy of the time greatly differed from its western counterpart. While western philosophers busied themselves with individual morals and the most accurate worldview, these Chinese philosophers’ ideas are greatly tied to the era’s need; the need for a good government and a ruler for the people. Sun Tzu and His Philosophy Much like other philosophers of his era, Sun Tzu aimed to give the best advice so the state and people may prosper. Thus, this book was born. Not only as a military guidance, but also as an advice for the ruler to put his people and the prosperity of his state above victory and glory in the battlefield. The Art of War was born out of a sense of duty for the people. Sun Tzu himself stated that winning battles should not be the goal of a good ruler; rather his main duty should be to serve his people. Battles and wars must even be avoided unless it is the only way for the state and the people to thrive. With this goal in mind, the ruler should be calculating and not be rash. This is shown by the book itself. It was intentionally made to not be detailed as it is not to be a one-way guide to victory, but only to serve as a strategy making-guidance. Hence, out of this is initial objective came the versatility of this book in numerous things, even outside of warfare. Therefore, it should be realized that through this book, Sun Tzu would like to encourage the readers to be coolheaded and calculating. In any aspects in life, calculation is the key when it comes to succeeding in the long run. Even this book would not be able to provide a straight road to success unless applied with careful considerations.