Final answer:
The phrase "Top Man" suggests an individual of significant stature, leadership, or moral superiority. This idea is explored through references to philosophical
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "Top Man" can be interpreted in different ways, depending on the context. However, based on the philosophical and historical references provided, we can surmise that "Top Man" typically refers to an individual of high stature, authority, or ability, often in the context of leadership or moral superiority.
The references to the teachings and theories of theists, military strategists like those found in Sun Tzu's principles, philosophers like Socrates and Confucius, and the contrasts between the ideas of "Great Men" and the collective actions of many, point to the broader exploration of what constitutes true leadership, power, and morality.
Looking at the given excerpts, we can derive that a "Top Man" is not simply about one's position of power or leadership, but also about moral and intellectual superiority, as well as the capacity for virtuous action.
This superiority could also be tied to the philosophical argument of theists that true power comes from divine dispensation rather than human endeavor, or to the military notion that the top commander knows when and how to engage successfully in conflict.