Overview
Sun Tzu (c. 5th century BC) wrote The Art of War. It is the most famous military treatise in history. It emphasizes deception, psychology, and avoiding battle.
Core Idea
The core idea is Efficiency. The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Formal Definition
Author of the 13-chapter treatise The Art of War.
Intuition
- Water: An army should be like water. It avoids strength and strikes weakness. It has no constant shape.
- The Spy: Knowledge is power. “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”
Examples
- Deception: “All warfare is based on deception.” (Operation Fortitude in WWII).
- Speed: “Speed is the essence of war.” (Blitzkrieg).
Common Misconceptions
- Misconception: It’s about brute force.
- Correction: It’s the opposite. It’s about outsmarting the enemy so you don’t have to use force.
- Misconception: It’s only for war.
- Correction: It’s used in business, sports, and negotiation.
Related Concepts
- Clausewitz: The Western counterpart. Sun Tzu is Eastern (indirect). Clausewitz is Western (direct).
- Game Theory: Sun Tzu is applied game theory.
Applications
- Business: “Market Warfare.”
- Politics: Campaign strategy.
Criticism and Limitations
- Vagueness: It’s poetic and aphoristic, which makes it easy to misinterpret.
Further Reading
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu