Jan-19-09
Sun Tzu and The Art of War
All warfare is based on deception.
So go the words of Sun Tzu. It is debated whether Sun Tzu was an actual historical figure, but the essence and importance of the work, known variously as The Art of War or Sun Tzu, is unarguably one of the most celebrated treatises on warfare. [Required reading for the U.S. Marine Corps.]
If warfare is based on deception, then why does deception play such a pervasive role in “loving” relationships? Are relationships just another form of warfare? Is deception necessary to take what one wants from another and to protect one’s own “holdings?”
Conversely, if deception is at the root of warfare, then what is the place of honesty and Truth? If one wishes to have an open, healthy, growing interpersonal relationship, why all the hiding…why all the lies?
Last, but not least, what about “self-deception?” What of the people amongst us who are incapable of even being honest with themselves? Are these people “at war” with Self?
Just wondering…and Broken Too…
NOTE: Normally I am not a big fan of questions. I defer to their (Socratic?) use here in the interest of brevity and convenience.