Eastern Strategic Thought and Its Connection to Confucianism, Taoism and Chinese Buddhism Compared to Christianity in Western Strategic Thought

Belief, whether religious in origin or the culmination of experiences and wisdom is part of the foundation for strategic intent. Personal decisions, situational leadership, and character are derived from the foundational worldview of the individual and this individual is characterized by a multitude of principles that make up their worldview. This can be extrapolated to explore the philosophical underpinnings of eastern strategic thought in comparison to that of western strategic thought. Eastern strategic thought is heavily influenced by Taoism, Confucianism and Chinese Buddhism but to what degree and to what end have these mechanisms influenced eastern strategic thought. On the other hand, western strategic thought is sown with Christian ideology – to what end does this effect western thought and how does it contrast with that of eastern strategic thought. The underpinnings of belief that effect the very worldview of strategic thought will be explored, deconstructed, and synthesized to understand the relationship of Confucianist, Taoist, and Buddhist ideology that is present within eastern strategic thought as compared to Christian ideology within western thought.