practice vs theory

[seekone]

does anyone actually practice this philosophy? it seems like a lot of people read it and talk about it but not many do it...

[Miya26]

I completely agree, especially regarding the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. the blatant chess-like strategy is all too obvious.

[dodger]

Isn't it a way of living rather than an active war activity?

[sonshi]

Mr. Gimian and his group wrote their books in order to encourage people who simply read to also apply The Art of War. It's not the matter of what other people do but what YOU do.

[The Sheepdog]

The reality is that a "theory" is merely useless words until it's put into action and tested! It's each individuals choice to make as to whether they believe a theory enough to practice it or not.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by sonshi

Mr. Gimian and his group wrote their books in order to encourage people who simply read to also apply The Art of War. It's not the matter of what other people do but what YOU do.

This.

[thinker96]

Theory: When you sit on your butt

practice: When you get off your butt

questions????

[aus_shi]

I believe they do, although not very well. If you look at successful people around you, you will see those practicing this philosophy even if they have never heard of the AOW. I use it at work and other areas of my life and progress and rewards have been pleasantly rewarding.
What i have found to be extremely difficult is connecting with people who will give actual instances of how they have applied AOW in their lives and what the outcome has been. Instead I know many who all they want to do is discuss or argue over the "finer" points.
I work at a high school in IT support. I replaced the term sovereign with principal or boss, general for me, army for me, terrain was the physical layout and human situations and planned each day and situation accordingly. I have had some humungous successes like turning teachers who hated tech into a readily supportive cheer squad because of the help i was able to offer. I have also alienated other staff members who once they found out i read AOW believed i was some deviate untrustworthy backstabbing Machiavelli. An actual quote from a staff member who benefitted greatly from my application of lessons learned from this book. Gottaluvit.
Overall though, I far better off than if I did not use the principles and wisdom in the book.

[aus_shi]

If you look around you will see all sorts of people using this philosophy. They are the successful people. Even if they have never heard of the book or the author!
I have used it at work for great success. Applying in regards to my private life has been a little trickier.
The hardest thing is finding people who will detail how they have used it and what the outcomes where instead of just debating the finer points or having a quote-off.

[webstermcn]

I am reminded by the title of this post of Yogi Berra, the Yankees coach famous for turning a word into upon itself, who said...

"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. But in practice, there is."

Philosophy leads to strategy, strategy leads to tactics. In Chess, most games of mid level players are determined by Tactics -- the winning of a major piece will determine who wins the game... Strategy is determining the moves that provide for favorable tactical combinations to arise; a strategic move is one usually taken when there are no real over-riding tactical moves dictated by the situation. If your opponent forces you to respond to a trade of material, then you cannot make a strategic move in it's place.

As the terrain is different for every battle, so tactics are different every time; strategy provides for the discovery of victorious tactics, but technique determines battles. Philosophy is the domain of the monarch and determines what victory actually would be composed of -- and if it is even in the interest of the army to fight.

This is why the first order of the five things needed for a plan of strategy is the Tao.

'Just my two cents -- Webb

[Yin]

Originally Posted by dodger

Isn't it a way of living rather than an active war activity?

Yeah, war and life is the same thing.. The way you conduct your life is the same way you conduct your war.. Because living is war.

[Yin]

Originally Posted by thinker96

Theory: When you sit on your butt

practice: When you get off your butt

questions????

Hahaha

[Yin]

Originally Posted by seekone

does anyone actually practice this philosophy? it seems like a lot of people read it and talk about it but not many do it...

It takes strong self-control to use the philosophy of the art of war
Without discipline it is impossible