Sun Tzu's most notable work the Art of War is thought to have been authored during the warring states period of ancient China.  The warring states period lasted from the fifth to the third century B.C.E. This period of time was influenced by the continued loss of control by the Chou dynasty which had been the predominant governing authority for hundreds of years prior.  The destabilization of interstate relationships resulted in ever shifting arrangements of alliances and enemies.

 

 

          The Art of War is based around central themes and ways of thinking that reoccur throughout the text in varying forms.  Sun Tzu said that there are five main considerations to account for before conflict which are the way, the weather, the terrain, the military leadership and discipline.  These are each examples of both literal and metaphorical concepts which much of the Art of War is based upon.

 

     The first segment of the Art of War dives into the way and is concerned with civil leadership, and the relationship between the leaders and the subjects.   Sun Tzu describes the way directly as "inducing the people to have the same aim as the leadership."

 

          The book continues on to describe what it means by weather.  It is obviously meant as the consideration to the season for which battle is optimal for your advantage, however it also relates to the concern for the people which you lead.  It describes how seasons not only affect the outcome of military strategy but also the lives of the people which often depend of the fruits of certain seasons.  It also cautions against the physical and emotional impact that weather extremes can have on a fighting force.

 

          Terrain is next domain examined in the Art of War.  It is described in terms of distance, degree of difficulty of travel, dimensions and safety.  It touts the essential need for scouts and native guides during the traversing of terrain unfamiliar to the leadership.  The book references a quote for the I Ching which says "Chasing game without a guide leads one into the bush."

 

          The final item on the list assessed is discipline and it refers to organizational coherence and efficiency.  It draws the connection between trustworthiness and sternness in military leaders to the corresponding ideas of punishment and reward.  It stresses the importance on having a concise and straight forward system of rewards and punishments.  This system of rewards and punishments musts be considered by all of those who are subject to it as fair and impartial.  Sun Tzu uses this sections to outline the importance of rational organization and law.

 

          Deception is the next ideology brought to the spot light after the conclusions of the five assessments are concluded in the book.  This section can be abstracted by a single quote from the text "A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear incompetent.  Though effective, appear ineffective."  It outlines what it claims to be essential arts such as misdirection and secrecy.  The element of surprise is said to be important for victory with the highest efficiency and depends on knowing others while being unknown to them.

 

          Despite being named the Art of War the book may be more appropriately entitled the Art of Winning while avoiding war.  Face to face combat is considered a last resort option for Sun Tzu who says "be prepared but nevertheless avoid confrontation with a strong opponent. Rather than trying to overwhelm opponents directly, wear them down by flight, fostering disharmony within their ranks, manipulating their feelings, and using their anger and pride against them."

 

          The Following chapters are on how to engage in combat and the implications of war on the people of your nation.  The two main concepts stressed in this section are speed and efficiency.  Sun Tzu cautions against dragging on combat operations, especially if they are fought away from the homeland.  Many of the discussions pertain to the conservation of resources such as energy and materials.  To offset the economic and population implications of war Sun Tzu recommends feeding of off the enemy and using their captives by winning the over with your ways of life and treatment toward them.

 

          Planning a siege logically follows and carries over many of the same themes of conservation.  He notes that the aim in a siege is to take over while destroying as little as possible so that you can use it for your own gain and advancement.  This section is another example of his ideology that it is best to win without fighting.

 

           Many of the tactics that follow all are born from the underlying idea of conservation and taking the path of the least resistance.  He notes that it’s best to overcome opponents at the very beginning of their plans before they are even set in motion.  If it is too late for that to work then the idea moves onto the second best thing which is claimed to be isolating your opponents and rendering them helpless.  Although time is a critical element of carrying out these ideas it purports that speed does not mean haste, and that thorough preparation is essential to victory.  The final step is to ensure that victory is complete so as to not have to upkeep a defensive force while occupying the territory.