Sun Tzu (The Art of War)Strategic Philosopher and Thought

Prof. Emeritus Dr. Ranjit Singh a/l Darshan Singh

Muhammad Syukhri bin Shafee

(818981)

Biblography

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Griffith, S. B. (1963). Sun Tzu The Art Of War. London : Oxford University Press

Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin. (2007). Wahai Dunia! Islam Bukan Pengganas. Minda Tajdid. Retrieved on March 26, 2015 from http://drmaza.com/home/?p=32

Osinga, F.P.B., (2007) Science, Strategy and War. New York : Routledge

Sawyer, R. D. (1993). The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China. United Kingdom : Westview Press

Sun Tzu Biography. (2012). The Famous People. Retrieved on 26 March, 2015 from http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/sun-tzu-261.php

 

Zamoyski, A. (2005). Moscow 1812: Napoleon's Fatal March. Amazon.com. Retrieved on 26 March, 2015 from http://www.amazon.com/Moscow-1812-Napoleons-Fatal-March/dp/006108686X

Introduction

Sun Tzu was lived in China (400 B.C-330 B.C.). The period “Warring State” which period have high

demand for strategists to make sure the survival of every state are secure.

He served for Chi (Qi) state as Military Strategist. His famous book named “Ping Fa” or The Art of War on 1772, his book were brought to Western world

Map of “Warring States” period in China before Qin fully conquer all of states on 221 B.C. from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warring_States_period#cite_note-1

Synopsis

Samuel B. Griffith commentaries about The Art of War written by Sun Tzu.

Chapter IV Griffith comment about situation and condition war for Ancient

China until 500 B.C. Previously, the war were conduct in good manner for example

the children, senior citizen and injured soldier even enemy are banned to kill.

The social System also fix but later on it change after Sun Tzu came.

Continue…

More discipline and well-trained troops age around sixteen to sixty and also more loyalty

Individual power and strange only are not important anymore compare to strategist of the soldier overall.

The concept of “general staff” such as These staffs from various specialists such as weather forecasters, map makers, commissary officers and engineers to plan tunneling, mining operation, experts on river crossing and operation like amphibious operation, inundating and attack by fire and the use of smoke

Continue… Technical improvements lead to revolution of Chinese warfare. the introduction of the crossbow and high-quality of cutting

weapon Chinese possessed weapons and were master of attacking and

defending tactics that become legacy and reference for future leader

Continue…Chapter V

Sun Tzu said that War is a grave concern of the state and must studied this matter carefully.

national unity become important condition to win the battle The five matter also been mention by Sun Tzu to discuss in

councils, there are human (morale and generalship), physical (terrain and weather) and doctrinal

The writer also make some critique on ancient writer including Sun Tzu such as did not contained the goal of military action to destroy the opponent army and their cities and wastage of their countryside

Continue Sun Tzu aware that the war must started with attack the mind of

enemy with directly The more time taken for war, more suffer the state and people Sun Tzu knew the advantage and disadvantage of weather

during the war

Review

Chapter IV

Very high class of behavior among the Chinese people including the military officers during war period, same like what practice by Islam if conduct war.

The feudal system were practice by Chinese on that era, same like what were practiced by Europe, Pre-Arab civilization and almost all kingdom in world. But later on the talent of person started recognize.

Before Sun Tzu came, the military train not conduct very well and not systematic. The ages of recruit for military also introduced (from age sixteen to sixty only)

Continue….

The light troop emerged during this era. Much more easy to carry.

Many expertise are appeared such as weather forecasters, map makers, commissary officers and engineers to plan tunneling and mining operation (General staff).

Doctrine of collective responsibility in battle. The punishment will officer whose did not listen the order.

Technical improvements made to the revolution of Chinese warfare. Such as appearance of crossbow and high-quality iron to cutting weapons.

mounted men riding without saddles were used as scouts and messengers

The formation were described by Sun Tzu also allowed flexibility in attacking formation

Continue…

Chapter V

War is a grave concern of the state and must studied it carefully. Sun Tzu also believed that moral strength and intellectual are

important that can give effect in war He also mention about the role of spies and agents. The enemies army will conquered without battle, but if this

strategies did not work, the option is used armed force. Time to conduct the war must in as short as possible, least

possible cost in lives and efforts and fewest possible casualties

Continue…

They need to make sure that their national unity in strong condition

Mental moral, physical and situation factors can make huge effect during war

He discuss about the five ‘matter’ to discuss on high level of authority, which is human (moral and generalship), physical (terrain and weather) and finally doctrinal.

The economic will effected because of war. all warfare is based on deception deceit (surprise) good general do not be manipulated by enemies general must produce a quick decision get victory in war but must

wisely conducted

Continue… Siege just waste time, energy and cost. He also mention about the action of general’s tactical

instruments which is normal or direct force (cheng) and extraordinary or indirect force (ch’i), both of it are reciprocal. Used by wise general.

Calculating the risk in war. Theory of adaptability to existing situations (like water).

Conclusion

Sun Tzu were lived in the “Warring States” and become one of the profession have high demand among the states in war.

His work and his thinking bring a new phenomena and condition in warfare.

But later on, his book become one of the main reference especially in business field which is “The Art of War”.

Thank You (謝謝 )

Any Question?