Who wrote 'The Art of War,' a classic text on military strategy during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty?

• A. Confucius
• B. Sun Tzu
• C. Laozi
• D. Mencius

Answer: (B)

'The Art of War' is attributed to Sun Tzu, a strategic military thinker and philosopher who lived during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty in China. This text, which dates back to the 5th century BCE, is one of the most influential works on military strategy and tactics that has transcended time, finding relevance in various fields beyond the military, including business and leadership.

Sun Tzu's work emphasizes principles such as the importance of understanding both your own strengths and weaknesses as well as those of your enemy, the value of adaptability in strategy, and the significance of planning and intelligence in warfare. The teachings found in 'The Art of War' have been studied extensively throughout history and continue to be influential in contemporary discussions about strategy and conflict resolution.

The other figures listed, such as Confucius, Laozi, and Mencius, are also important philosophers in Chinese history but focused on different areas of thought, primarily ethics, morality, and governance, rather than military strategy. Each has left a profound impact on Chinese philosophy and culture, but it is Sun Tzu who is credited specifically with the insights and methodologies outlined in 'The Art of War'.