Sun Tzu and Foreknowledge
SUNTZUDO FACEBOOK
BOOKS AT
AMAZON.COM
SMASHWORDS.COM
CHAPTER 13. THE USE OF SPIES
13.04. Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is FOREKNOWLEDGE.
13.05. Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.
13.06. Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.
13.01 Sun Tzu said: Raising a host of a hundred thousand men and marching them great
Sun Tzu said that the wise sovereign and good general achieve greatness through foreknowledge. Ghosts, experience, and deductive calculation cannot provide this knowledge. Foreknowledge can only be obtained from other men.
Foreknowledge, the awareness of events before they happen, holds immense power. From weather forecasts to horoscopes, people seek glimpses into the future. It shapes our actions today, altering or sustaining our course.
Foreknowledge can determine victory or defeat, success or failure. "Forewarned is forearmed," as the saying goes. Being aware of what lies ahead grants a powerful position. Ignorance is bliss until it strikes. However, not everyone desires knowledge of their own death.
The scandal of insider trading exemplifies foreknowledge's power. Ivan Boesky, an arbitrageur, amassed a fortune by betting on corporate takeovers. Although illegal, insider trading went largely unprosecuted until Boesky's case. He used foreknowledge within a set time period, maximizing his profits but ultimately leading to his downfall. The case highlights the complexity of using foreknowledge effectively.
Foreknowledge comprises having it and using it wisely. Some use information to their advantage, while others disregard it. In school, knowing exam schedules allowed some to prepare while others failed to act. It raises the question: Would you buy the answers to a test, and if so, would you share them?
Acquiring foreknowledge requires deliberate development. Simply growing older is insufficient. Successful individuals study, understand, and apply knowledge relevant to their fields. Heavenly intervention or omens alone cannot ensure success. One must put themselves in advantageous situations and avoid unfavorable ones, as Steve Jobs did.
Accessing specific knowledge in today's information flood remains challenging. While ancient elites guarded knowledge, we face the opposite problem—a deluge. Finding the right knowledge remains critical but difficult.
Foreknowledge depends on goals and aims. Knowing winning lottery numbers is pointless if you don't gamble, lack means, or keep it to yourself. Relevant knowledge becomes foreknowledge, but unused foreknowledge reverts to mere information. Steve Jobs turned foreknowledge into a critical advantage with the iPod and iPhone. Yet, even he failed to anticipate his dismissal from Apple.
Winston Churchill faced a difficult foreknowledge dilemma during World War II. Knowing Coventry was targeted for bombing, he chose to sacrifice the city to protect the code-breaking operation. This decision remains controversial, like deciding whether to tell a friend about their spouse's affair.
The obscured truth is that success requires others. No one succeeds alone; they receive help along the way. Sun Tzu's emphasis on spies underscores the need for acquiring, validating, and using information intelligently. Foreknowledge is a skill, not a fancy. All knowledge comes from individuals, just like us. We possess mundane knowledge that can be life-changing for others.
Regular life events, such as applying for college, jobs, or loans, involve foreknowledge. Education prepares us to acquire, assess, and utilize the knowledge Sun Tzu speaks of. While the alphabets enable reading, studying equips us with the ability to acquire, assess, and use foreknowledge. Being ahead of others grants power, but the skill to consistently possess foreknowledge is invaluable and lasts a lifetime.