Abstract
Despite its pertinence to every field of study, no systematic theory exists for
the exploration of the unknown world of new knowledge. In order to
construct such a theory, this paper draws on the unique and highly refined
principles of military strategy, in the process demonstrating the universal
applicability of such principles and developing an effective analogy for the
process of research. Such principles include diverging advance, converging
attack, and selecting the superior and eliminating the inferior. In seeking
further discoveries, one should search for more possibilities, attack more
aims, and confound the front line. The theory presented in this paper is also a
means to further the unification of science. For no matter what the
individuals look like, (soldiers, particles, cells, consumers, producers,
stockholders, or concepts), what they pursue, (victory, negative action,
viability, pleasure, profit, investment return, or knowledge), or what
relationship exists between opponents, (hostile, mysterious, adaptive,
reciprocal, cooperative, or explanatory), the result is always an unknown
world in which individuals are exploring. It is reasonable to suppose that the
exploration of the unknown world is a common property among individuals.