Why Is Sun Tzu Important In American Culture

The way that society chooses heroes is to reflect the characteristics and values in which that particular society admires. There are many different cultures and separate values that coincide with each culture. In the United States, we seem to look at athletes like Michael Jordan as a hero. In China, Sun Tzu is an integral part of their culture and considered a military genius and philosopher. Finally, in the Greek mythological culture, Hercules is thought to be a hero and is one of the most well known characters in Greece. All of these people have different characteristics that are an integral part of the various cultures around the world.
Sports and athletes are a major part of American Culture. One of the most famous and well-known
basketball players to ever play the game is Michael Jordan. In the book “Michael Jordan: The Life”, Roland Lanzby explains how Jordan was an amazing player and used that angle to open the “Air Jordan” brand. In the early 1990’s I can remember everybody wanting to own his shoes. They were expensive and flying off of the shelves. People couldn’t stand waiting for a new version to come out. Everyone loved Jordan and wanted to be like him. Commercials with the catch phrase “Be Like Mike” were airing on every major channel. He even had a stretch of road by his hometown named after him. As a child, we would all try to act like him. Lowering a basketball hoop and putting a small trampoline under it, we would attempt to dunk basketballs just like him. His skills far preceded anybody in the game at that time, and I believe this set a precedent for up and coming players. Idolizing this man made basketball players nationwide try new dunks, try harder, and ultimately changed the whole dynamic of basketball. He was definitely a hero of our culture at the time and continues to be to this day.

Chinese culture has a very long and traditional history.
They have many heroes through many different time periods. One of these heroes who stands out is Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher. He is best known for his famous book, “The Art of War”. According to the article “Sun Tzu” on the Famous People Website, The Art of War is an extremely influential Chinese book on warfare and philosophy. Sun Tzu has had a significant impact on Chinese history and is considered a legendary historical figure. His words were so revered by the Chinese, they played a part in the construction and continuation of the Great Wall of China. Chinese history is very war torn with different Generals and leaders who idolized Tzu, using his teachings to succeed in battle. In modern day society, his 2,500 year-old book still resonates with the Chinese. From politicians, generals, students and stock market tycoons, the Chinese population uses his words to succeed in life. His teachings show how to get ahead in life using different tactics and strategies, deeming it useful for all of these people. Emulating his way of life has proved successful to many for thousands of years. For one person to affect such various demographics in a culture, it is no wonder he is looked up to and considered a true
hero.

In Greek mythological culture, Hercules is one of the most well known heroes. According the Gregory Crane’s article “Hercules: Greece’s Greatest Hero”, erH Hercules is a strong, good-looking man who overcame many daunting tasks the Greek gods set before him. Statues of Hercules can be seen in many places in Greece. He is always shown as being very strong and having very large muscles. People admire his strength not only physically, but emotionally. To succeed through all of these tasks given to him by the Greek gods was amazing. People naturally admire strength and success. Hercules had both, and set an example of hard work and determination. In today’s world, overcoming hardship and adversity is something people admire. Hercules is a great example of that, and continues to be to this day.

Throughout history, many cultures and societies have selected their own heroes. These heroes are chosen based on the values that particular society admires at that time. They set a standard of ideals that we try to live up to and emulate. Core values with any society will always be admired, and heroes will continue to emerge. Whether they are a famous athlete, a war philosopher or a mythological hero, they are chosen for traits they possess that society respects and values. All of these people and characters are a true reflection of the characteristics and values of different societies and cultures around the globe.

Works Cited
Crane, Gregory R., "Hercules Greece 's Greatest Hero". The Perseus Project, http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Hercules/bio.html. Web. November, 2000.
Lazenby, Roland. Micheal Jordan: The Life. Little, Brown and Company; First Edition, 2014. Print.
"Sun Tzu." 2014. The Famous People website. http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/sun-tzu-261.php. Web. Nov 13 2014.