How to understand the practical significance of "temple calculation" in Sun Tzu's Art of War

The temple calculation here refers to the strategic planning before the battle. In ancient marching operations, generals used to plan divination in ancestral temples before the war, which was for the sake of "temple calculation." As a summary of Sun Tzu's practice of military decision-making in the pre-Qin period, Temple Calculation mainly embodies the characteristics of military decision-making in this period.

Therefore, now, "temple calculation" is "planning before moving", which covers all kinds of calculations, plans, strategic operations and coping plans in the early stage. Even if it is slightly inferior at present, it only needs better preparation, more detailed planning and more contingency methods than its competitors.

Even in the event of an emergency, you can resolve it one by one or see the move, and you have a greater chance of winning, occupy more grasp, and be able to "win without a fight."

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The History of Temple Computing

During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, China's ancient military theory developed greatly and the strategic theory system was formed. Its important symbol is the publication of Sun Tzu's Art of War, which puts forward the earliest strategic concept in ancient China-"temple calculation".

For example, it pointed out: "The temple was the winner before the fight in Fu Cha, which was too much; If the temple didn't win before the war, it would be too few. Winning more and winning less is worse than nothing! " (Sun Tzu's Art of War) The temple calculation here refers to the strategic planning before the battle.

Any concept is the result of abstracting unique attributes from the development of things on the basis of practice, which belongs to the stage of rational understanding. As a summary of the practice of military decision-making in the pre-Qin period, Miao Shu mainly embodies the characteristics of military decision-making in this period.

After the Qin and Han dynasties, the old form of temple planning war was gradually broken, and it was no longer appropriate to use "temple calculation" to express strategic ideas. During this period, the book of military strategy and the theory of military strategy began to seek a more appropriate term, that is, to express strategy with "military strategy"

Baidu Encyclopedia-Temple Computing