Sun Tzu - the Philosophy of War - and its Resolution

The world is full of war and conflicts - whether they be conflicts between two individuals, within families, or within and between communities. There are "civil wars" (a rather odd expression) and wars and conflicts between nations.

How do we solve and resolve conflicts and wars? Do philosophers give us any help?

Tonight we will look at the great Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu (c 544-496), who wrote the military classic "The Art of War".

However, the book is more about the art of avoiding and resolving war and conflicts. There are a number of quotes from Sun Tzu that we will reflect on in terms of international wars and our own personal conflicts.

* "Know yourself and you will win all battles”

* “Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.”

*"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

* “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”

Think about the art of resolving conflict and the principles we need to enact to do so.