Abstract Martin Luther King of the modern United States and Lao-Tzu of ancient China were two great philosophers whose great differences stemmed from their core beliefs. The paper shows that Lao-Tzu believed that the way for humankind to achieve happiness was to connect fully with nature and to not try to control everyday events. It shows, in comparison, that Martin Luther King believed that humankind should confront evil and correct the wrongs of the world.
From the Paper "King's philosophy was more in line with that of Confucius, who believed that people must make a social difference. However, Lao-Tzu's approach to "do nothing" was not the same as King's approach to "do nothing" when demonstrators were attacked. Lao-Tzu's view was mystical. He would have recognized that while Martin Luther's King's approach may have appeared to be "doing nothing" at first, actually it was the final action of an elaborate plan designed to make a very big social difference. It started with King's followers educating the activists very careful about the philosophy of non-violence. They planned where they would demonstrate, and when. They planned what they would wear and exactly what they would do when they ?did nothing.?"
Abstract In this paper, the writer shows how Plato and Lao-tzu both display similarities within their theme of enlightenment and political success and the modern day influence of their works. However, the methods of dialogue and poetry to present their writings helps to maintain their philosophical uniqueness.
From the Paper "Philosophy is the rational investigation of the truths and principles of being, knowledge, or conduct . Plato, a Greek writer and teacher, is thought to be one of the most influential thinkers in Western philosophy. In his work, "The Allegory of the Cave," he discusses politics and perception within a symbolic narrative. Lao-tzu's "Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching," is another document containing philosophical ideology, focusing on government and moral behavior. Both Plato and Lao-tzu display similarities within their theme and their influence in the modern world; however, one distinct variation they possess is the method in which their material is presented."
The following paper discusses whether the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 could have been avoided if the United States had followed the principles of Sun Tzu in "The Art of War".
Abstract This paper illustrates how the United States has followed and could follow Sun Tzu's principles in "The Art of War" in the days prior to September 11, 2001 and during Operation Enduring Freedom.
From the Paper "Every military leader is, or should be, familiar with Sun Tzu's Art of War. It is the preeminent primer on military tactics, strategies, and principles, and the oldest military treatise in the world. One can apply the principles of the Art of War to Operation Enduring Freedom. This paper will examine how the United States' responses to terrorism since September 11 and through the present day have or have not held to Sun Tzu's principles."
Abstract This paper examines the religious and spiritual roots of Chinese Taoism found in the military treatise "The Art of War." The paper explains the basic tenets of Taoism and Sun Tzu's connection to the religion. The reviewer also addresses the book's paradox that Taoism is a peaceful religion, yet the work is about war. The reviewer states that traditional Taoist concepts emerge from discussions of battle tactics and troop movements. The paper also discusses Taoist views on duality such as the ying-yang and the art of wu wei. The paper concludes by stating that although Taoism is traditionally viewed as a peaceful religion, it recognizes that life involves conflict, but that the wise man can mediate this conflict and control it so that it is least destructive and most productive.
From the Paper "Basically, Taoism is an ancient Chinese spiritual tradition that can be roughly translated as "the way of life." It provides loose proscriptions for how individuals can live in harmony with their surroundings and with their fellow man. But like any good philosophy, Taoism contains a few key tenets that are common throughout all of the writings on the subject. Chief among these include the idea that one should remain immovable and allow events to flow over and around oneself, that one should try to balance the opposite but complementary forces of the universe (yin and yang), and the art of "wu wei," which can be roughly translated as action through inaction or accomplishing goals through the least effort (Wilson). At its heart, Taoism recognizes that there is conflict inherent in life, that the competition for limited resources will inevitably lead to conflicts, but that this conflict naturally takes the form of a universal balance that human beings can imitate in their own endeavors (Cantrell 13). This realization is the point on which Sun Tzu is able to use Taoist philosophy to describe warfare. In other words, he uses the notion that conflict can be balanced and harmonious in dictating the way in which wars can best be fought."
Tags: The, Art, of, War, Sun, Tzu, military, history, Taoism
Abstract In this paper, the writer discusses that the central titular metaphor of the rickshaw, both coveted and pulled by the central protagonist Hsaing Tzu, forms the core metaphor of Lao She's novel of the same name. The writer describes how the rickshaw symbolizes Tzu's desire and perceived ability to attain social success, despite his humble birth in the country and his lack of parents. The writer states that upon reading the novel, at first glance, a reader might be tempted to assume that the central visual metaphor of the rickshaw, of one enslaved being to another, as a man or woman pulls another on wheels, is merely visually striking. However, the writer explains that this relationship takes on a powerful social significance, as Tzu's desire for his rickshaw and status as a rickshaw puller come to symbolize his fetishizing of money. The writer discusses his willingness to abase himself for social mobility and eventually, the rickshaw 'relationship' between puller and pulled comes to symbolize the nature of most relationships between people over the course of the novel.
From the Paper "Unlike family relationships, idealized in Confucian texts, commercial employment of any kind is a rickshaw relationship. A marriage entered into not for honorable reasons, but for social advancement, is also enslaving to both parties, as Tzu's wife discovers. Thus Lao She's socially conscious characters relate to objects, rather than to people and ancestors, as they should according to Confucian philosophy. A rickshaw driver like Tzu is a willing vocational slave to a trade through Chinese city dust, rain, summer heat, and winter cold. Hsaing Tzu's fetishizing his ownership of a rickshaw is still evidence of his enslavement to money and work, even though he sees it as liberation.
Tzu's fetisihizing the rickshaw, like his wife's fetishizing of the institution of marriage with a man for social advancement rather than to have children and obey her husband like a good Confucian wife, however, is not a psychological statement, as it might be in a Western novel."
This paper discusses the novel, "Rickshaw", written by Lao She and translated by Jean M. James, which focuses on the function of the rickshaw as a symbol in the text.
Abstract This paper explains that the rickshaw is a symbol of what is wrong with Chinese society and how it allows good men such as Hsiang Tzu, the protagonist in "Rickshaw" by Lao She, to evolve into pathetic survivors, who litter the streets and die meaningless deaths. he author points out that the rickshaws appear throughout the story; in fact, they could be considered other characters in the story because they are so important to the rickshaw drivers' lives. The paper states that owning your own rickshaw is a symbol of status in the rickshaw community. It symbolizes how hard the driver has worked to earn the money to pay for a new rickshaw and the driver's freedom from those who rent rickshaws to drivers; therefore, the rickshaw itself is a symbol of freedom and hope.
From the Paper "To the drivers, the rickshaws are their lives (Lao 12), and so, they take on special significance as the story continues. When Tzu loses his rickshaw, his life takes another turn, for the rickshaw is his livelihood as well as his hope for the future, and he must start all over again on his quest for success. The rickshaw takes on special significance when the reader understands that the rickshaw could make the difference between life and death to its driver. Rickshaws are in fact the story, for the story would not exist without them. They symbolize freedom, but in Tzu's case, they also symbolize bondage, because as he works and works to buy his own rickshaws, he has no life other than work, and no desires other than the elusive rickshaw."
From the Paper " This study will describe Chuang Tzu's approach to the realization of spiritual truth, as explored in his Basic Writings. The study will also consider similarities in teaching methods and concepts between Chuang Tzu and Zen in China, insofar as we can discern Zen as being represented in Arthur Waley's The Way and Its Power: A Study of the Tao Te Ching and Its Place in Chinese Thought. Strictly speaking, Zen in China is addressed indirectly in Waley's work, but this study will treat the ideas of Lao Tzu, which Waley primarily deals with, as parallel to Zen concepts and attitudes.
As we read in Burton Watson's Introduction to Chuang Tzu's work, "The central theme of the Chuang Tzu may be summed up in a single word: freedom. Essentially, all the philosophers of ancient China addressed themselves to the same problem: how is.."
Abstract Laos is a poverty stricken area of Asia and in dire needs of intervention to help make it efficient in providing enough food for everyone while maintaining a healthy environment. Laos faces environmental disaster if no one intervenes. This paper looks at how there are cost efficient ways to produce more water for crops and how the use of organic pesticides will also help to protect the crop. It discusses how protecting Laos's biodiversity is important to the environment and species that are on the endangered list.
From the Paper "To lesson the environmental impact of slash-and-burn farming, Laos needs to choose a better and safer form of farming. "(...) Tiny dams high in the hills that catch rain or spring water, which then runs down flumes and ditches into rice paddies. The Australian project also helps to repair the village social groups that keep these irrigation systems in working order." (Bryant, 1991) This lessons the waist of water. Water quality is important to the people and the way it is used but do not know natural ways to control and treat run off from higher levels. The lower you live downhill, the less water you may receive during the dry season. "
Abstract This paper will argue that in order to understand Chuang Tzu's perception of "The Way",one must see it as more than a philosophy. As will be seen, Chuang Tzu's vision of Taoism includes a strong component of mysticism that may create confusion with some readers. However, it is important to understand that this mysticism falls short of being religious, for the rigorous internal logic of a dogmatic system is alien to "The Way". Rather, as will be argued, Chuang Tzu employs mysticism as a means of allowing those new to "The Way" to understand the necessity of transcending common sense categories.
Abstract This undergraduate paper examines the texts attributed to Chuang Tzu. It takes a specific look at the meaning of mutilation and death, how to view these two physical states, and how to avoid harm and death. It follows Chuang Tzu's model of how we can make our lives compelling.
Abstract This essay compares Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" with Niccolo Machiavelli's "The Prince" and applies the principles of both works to the modern business environment. The paper asserts that although the writings were not intended to be applied to business leadership,these classic works are nonetheless timeless strategic guides for the ultimate success. The paper demonstrates how, in today's business world, many aspects can be applied in less dramatic and literal fashion while still having great significance. For example, the paper discusses how in "The Prince", Machiavelli suggests eliminating whole opposing families in order to reduce the threat of revenge. This philosophy has many applications in the business world without the literally executions. Likewise, the paper assesses Sun Tzu's work, which recommends removing the head of an insubordinate conscript to prove a point or to increase discipline. While the literal interpretation may have been acceptable in ancient China, other more symbolic interpretations are applicable to the business world today, argues the paper.
From the Paper "Very little is known about the author of the Art of War but there has been much supposition and speculation. The book was thought to have been an instructional manual for potential generals in ancient China. The Art of War could also be considered as an instructional science of strategy document. The basic philosophy has become a Chinese mental martial art called bing-fa which because of the ambiguous nature of Chinese Hanja can be translated into literally 'competitive skills' or 'martial art'. The manual is a series of nine chapters which provide insights into how to address the challenges and how to mentally prepare for both leading others or a methodology for one's personal success. Because of the title and the militarily based examples, most believe that the sole purpose of the work was to teach how to fight battles. Modern interpretations and adaptations of the principles continue to help individuals create an internal and powerful system for success."
Abstract This paper explains that Sun Tzu's "The Art of War" is an in-depth collection of the strategic, operational and tactical nature of warfare and military strategies and tactics. The author relates that this ancient military book "The Art of War" has been adopted in various business and management milieus. In first reading, the military aspects are prominent; however, the paper states that the reader realizes that this book is also Sun Tzu's diary because what he wrote was not based on theories or suppositions but rather were his every day experiences.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter I. Strategic Assessments
Chapter II. Doing Battle
Chapter III. Planning a Siege
Chapter IV. Formation
Chapter V. Force
Chapter VI. Emptiness and Fullness
Chapter VII. Armed Struggle
Chapter VIII. Adaptations
Chapter IX. Maneuvering Armies
Chapter X. Terrain
Chapter XI. Nine Grounds
Chapter XII. Fire Attack
Chapter XIII. On the Use of Spies
Perspectives and Opinions
From the Paper "Warfare is not a static or constant affair. It is instead and fluid and continuous engagement despite the lull perceive at times. The term "fog of war" is apropos to the reality of engaging the enemy wherein constant movement and engagement numbs the mind at times and it fails to determine who it is fighting. Thus, warfare should be fluid in a way that the better general controls and dictates the fluidity of the movement. Like an orchestra conductor, he must know the total meaning of the music and be able to call out each and any member of the orchestra at the right time to bring harmony to the song."
Abstract The paper deals with the questions surrounding Sun Tzu's historical existence and relates that his work, "The Art of War", remains a sophisticated work, containing Taoist conceptions of the time, while its rhetorical form reflects its foundation in the oral tradition. The paper discusses how Sun Tzu advocates the defeat of rivals without resorting to armed combat. The paper suggests that "The Art of War"'s most notable break with the military practices of the preceding centuries is the promotion of the use of deception and employment of spies. The paper posits that the fact that "The Art of War" is frequently translated and studied serves to illustrate its continuing relevance and popularity.
From the Paper "The Records of the Grand Historian state that Sun Tzu served the state of Wu in its battles against contending states during the late Spring and Autumn period. He has been identified by some military historians as a general in the campaigns against the state of Ch'u, beginning in 511 B.C., but his name drops from the records after the defeat of Ying, Ch'u's capital city (Sawyer, 83). The scant historical evidence in records preceding the third century B.C. have led some historians to conclude that the text bearing his name was later compiled from oral traditions (De Bary, 214). His actual existence remains a historical point of contention, not only because of the scant record in the authoritative texts of the period, but also due to the absence of anecdotes and illustrative stories about his life that are were often written about famous persons in later periods."
Abstract The chapter is explained in the light of Confucian belief and philosophy which emphasize acceptance of the exterior world and great diligence in developing the inner world.
