It is very important of a general to be calm, remote and disciplined. Which of the following generals does NOT have the quality advised by Sun Tzu?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question presents a claim from Sun Tzu about what qualities a general should possess: calmness, remoteness, and discipline. We will assess each option against these ideals and broader strategic principles attributed to Sun Tzu.

Option 1: "The general needs to drive his men around like a flock of sheep to show his superiority." This portrayal runs directly counter to Sun Tzu’s emphasis on disciplined, strategic leadership rather than coercive domination. Driving soldiers around like sheep suggests a domineering, perhaps chaotic and brittle command style that undermines morale, initiative, and trust—qualities Sun Tzu would warn against in favor of measured leadership where soldiers act with purpose rather than mere obedience.

Option 2: "The general needs to be quiet to ensure secrecy." Quietness and restraint align with Sun Tzu’s advocacy for concealment, discretion, and the strategic use of information. Keeping lines of communication controlled and not broadcasting intent helps maintain the advantage of surprise and reduces the chance of the enemy gaining usable intelligence. This option fits the idea of a calm, disciplined commander who avoids unnecessary fuss.

Option 3: "The general needs to be upright and just to maintain order." Uprightness and justice contribute to trust, discipline, and cohesion within the army, which are essential for effective leadership. A calm and disciplined general who is perceived as fair supports loyalty and obedience from soldiers without coercive tactics, echoing Sun Tzu’s preference for legitimacy and order that strengthens the state and its forces.

Option 4: "The general needs to keep his soldiers in total ignorance to prevent military secrets from being detected by his opponents." While secrecy is valuable, total ignorance is impractical and counterproductive. Sun Tzu emphasizes informed strategy, deception, and the intelligent use of information rather than wholesale ignorance. A commander who leaves troops uninformed risks mistakes, misalignment with strategy, and a breakdown of trust and initiative, which undermines disciplined leadership and strategic effectiveness.

In summary, option 1 directly contradicts the principle of disciplined, purposeful leadership that Sun Tzu advocates. Options 2 and 3 are consistent with Sun Tzu’s emphasis on secrecy, restraint, and moral authority as components of effective command. Option 4 exaggerates secrecy to an unhealthy level, sacrificing necessary intelligence and coordination, which again does not reflect the balanced, disciplined approach Sun Tzu promotes. The underlying theme across the favorable options is that calm, disciplined, and principled leadership fosters cohesion and strategic advantage, whereas option 1 depicts an authoritarian, coercive approach that undermines these aims, and option 4 depicts an impractical extreme of secrecy that hinders effective command.

PS3200W02 Ch11Quiz_Nine Situations

It is very important of a general to be calm, remote and disciplined. Which of the following generals does NOT have the quality advised by Sun Tzu?

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PS*3200*W02 Ch11Quiz_Nine Situations

It is very important of a general to be calm, remote and disciplined. Which of the following generals does NOT have the quality advised by Sun Tzu?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

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PS3200W02 Ch11Quiz_Nine Situations