Theme Of Disobedience In The Art Of War Sun Tzu

Throughout time obedience and the ability to follow commands has played an important role in the social and political aspects of societies. Most societies are based on sets of rules which are meant to be obeyed and are instituted by an authority figure which is at the top of a certain social class. However, in The Art of War Sun Tzu states that disobedience is necessary and of greater value within a culture, an empire or a society. This is as a consequence of the relationship between a general and the king who has appointed, which correlates to the foreknowledge of the general and the overall knowledge of the figure of power. The fact that disobedience is utilized as a method by such figures of power makes it a cultural asset and becomes a value within the culture.
Sun Tzu affirms that disobedience can be culturally accepted
In a traditional and standard way of accommodating the needs of an empire the supreme leader often creates certain departments or institutions to manage and facilitate certain needs to the population such as public safety, community affairs, a judicial system etc. Such supreme leader appoints or approves the individuals which are going to lead the departments or institutions. When it comes to safety most commanders make sure they appoint or approve a general with an extensive background or who is knowledgeable in regards to warfare, public safety and strategy: “the general receives his commands from the sovereign, collects his army and concentrates his forces”(69). Most of the time the department heads are more knowledgeable about their profession and what they are administrating that the ruler himself. In the case of Sun Tzu he was appointed by his king as general and because of that he was trusted as an expert in warfare. He states that because he is more