¶ … Taoist Influence on Sun Tzu's "Art of War"

Sun Tzu was a legendary Chinese general who wrote one of the earliest and most influential treatises on war titled the Art of War, in about 500 BC. Although the writing contains all the essential advice on strategy and tactics about winning a war, the underlying philosophy of Sun Tzu draws a number of parallels with Taoism and seems to have been greatly influenced by the ancient Chinese folk religion.

The origins of Taoism are hard to pinpoint but most historians agree that it probably developed between the 5th and the 3rd century BC; hence the philosophy of Taoism was conceived at approximately the time when the Art of War was written and may have influenced its author. Taoism, which can be roughly translated as 'a way of life' puts forward the concept of the "natural working of the universe" and emphasizes the importance of being in harmony with our world. Hence, it is not in favor of forcing things on people, which would jeopardize the harmony of the universe, and contains the philosophies of "wuwei" -- the art of "not doing" or "doing without doing" -- and "yin and yang" -- opposing forces that promote harmony when kept in balance. ("Daoism," 2007)

Similarly, by realizing that the ultimate goal of war is peace and prosperity ("There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare" -- para 6, Chapter II) Sun Tzu suggests the harmony of war and peace just as Taoism emphasizes the harmony of yin and yang. He also amalgamates the concepts of wuwei, yin and yang and harmony in universe by suggesting the path of least resistance ("...in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak." Para 29, Chapter VI) and proposing flexibility in action ("Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing." Para 30, Chapter VI).

References

Daoism." (2007). Article in Encyclopedia Encarta Online, 2007. Retrieved on February 7, 2007 at (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761555647/Taoism_(Daoism).html

Sun Tzu on the Art of War." (1910). Translated from the Chinese by Lionel Giles. Retrieved on February 7, 2007 at http://www.kimsoft.com/polwar.htm