"The Art of Chinese Philosophy" has insightful discussions of The Analects of Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Sunzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi. I bought this book for Sunzi (Sun Tzu), and I was rewarded with wisdom from other famed Chinese philosophers.
In "The Art of Chinese Philosophy," Dr. Goldin wastes little time in Chapter 7 where he dives right into Sun Tzu's passages. Having read all levels of interpretations and explanations of bingfa over the years, I can confirm that Paul Goldin provides readers with a renewed understanding and appreciation of Sun Tzu, especially with commentaries like this one:
"The term translated here as 'situational power' is shi 勢 (Old Chinese *ŋ̊et-s), which literally means 'setting' and is derived from she 設 (*ŋ̊et), 'to set up.' Thus shi refers to the 'setting' of a battlefield, with its inherent yet transient advantages and disadvantages. The shrewd commander, who knows how to read the 'setting,' will infer the most advantageous position and strategy, and smash his foe almost as a matter of pure physics. This 'external boost' is decisive, moreover, for in most real-world encounters, forces are relatively evenly matched."
And this one:
"The word 'anomalousness' (qi 奇) has two powerful connotations: as the antonym of 'regularity' (zheng 正), it refers here to the advantage of surprise that is attained by avoiding predictable formations and attacks, but qi is also a standard term for anomalies such as ghosts and shooting stars. Sunzi’s commander is as terrifying to an enemy as an omen of woe."
In a lecture Dr. Goldin gave at the University of Michigan, someone in the audience asked him what "fungible" meant, a word he used in his lecture. He explained it's an accounting term which means "money that's not tied to a specific budget." This and the following example show how his multidisciplinary mindset allows him to seek and grasp the varying contexts of classical Chinese thought:
"It is not possible, with our incomplete knowledge, to determine whether Sunzi took the idea from Laozi, Laozi took the idea from Sunzi, or both texts simply reflect the military culture of the time. But Sunzi departs from anything to be found in Mozi or Laozi when it explains how the enemy should be defeated if not by direct assault."
In a modern world that seems to value hyper specialization, it is certainly refreshing that even in the area of ancient Chinese study, there are nonetheless individuals who understand the value of an interdisciplinary approach. If widely implemented, there would be more communication and collaboration between great minds, sharing knowledge and building upon each other's knowledge. The benefits would be immeasurable to society. That's how discovery and innovation happen, even -- or, should I say, especially -- in the classics. Such a light to the world can be found in "The Art of Chinese Philosophy," a masterpiece.
I give this book my highest recommendation.
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