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Lao Tzu* (6th century BCE?) and the

Lao Tzu* (6th century BCE?) and the. Tao Te Ching ( Dow Duh Jing ). *Also known as Laotse, Laozi, Li Erh, Li Tan, & Lao Tan. Way Power Book. According to tradition, Lao Tzu (“The Old Boy”). was born in 604 BCE in the Chu Province,

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Lao Tzu* (6th century BCE?) and the

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  1. Lao Tzu*(6th century BCE?)and the Tao Te Ching (Dow Duh Jing) *Also known as Laotse, Laozi, Li Erh, Li Tan, & Lao Tan. Way Power Book

  2. According to tradition,Lao Tzu (“The Old Boy”) • was born in 604 BCE in the Chu Province, • had a long career as the royal historian-librarian-archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang, • & (after becoming disillusioned as a result of the increasing decline of the Chou dynasty) left China for Tibet or India late in the 6th (or perhaps early in the 5th) century BCE. • Before leaving, however, he recorded his philosophical insights in a short book, the Tao Te Ching (also known as the Lao Tzu), which is one of the foundational classics of “Philosophical Taoism.”

  3. Taoism is both a philosophy & a religion.

  4. Leading ideas in Taoist thought • Metaphysics • Ontology/Cosmology • The TAO • Te • Yin/Yang • The natural order (the universe & all things in it) • Theology - gods & spirits • Anthropology - human nature & the human predicament • Axiology: Ethics & Political Philosophy • Epistemology?

  5. TAO DOW DAO 1. The ultimate, transcendental Ground of Being 2. The way or law of nature 3. A life in accord with the way or law of nature

  6. The TAO is “a metaphysical first principle that embraces and underlies all being, a vast Oneness that precedes and in some mysterious manner generates the endlessly diverse forms of the world . . . . [U]nknowable as the tao may be in essence, one must somehow learn to sense its presence and movement in order to bring one’s own life and movements into harmony with it. The aim of the text . . . is to impart to the reader, through hints, symbols, and paradoxical utterances, such an intuitive grasp of the tao and the vital ability to move with it rather than counter to it.” (Burton Watson)

  7. Te (“Duh”) “denotes a moral power or virtue characteristic of a person who follows the correct course of conduct . . . . [In Taoism], te is the virtue or power that one acquires through being in accord with the tao, what one ‘gets’ from the tao.” (Burton Watson)

  8. Yin & Yang The power (Te) of the TAO is expressed in the cosmos in accordance with the Yin/Yang principle.

  9. Taoist metaphysics - Ontology/Cosmology - TAO - TE - Yin/Yang - The natural order The cosmos(universe, nature) is an ever-changing expression & blend of Yin and Yang, full of the power (Te) of the TAO.

  10. (Taoist metaphysics, continued) Taoist theology • The TAO is the highest reality. It is the Ground of Being; but it is not “God” or “a god.” It is the absolutely transcendent and incomprehensible Source of the natural world (the universe). The TAO is beyond sensation, beyond thought, beyond imagination, beyond words, etc. It is knowable only through direct mystical experience or intuition. • Gods, good spirits, and demons exist as expressions of the power (Te) of the TAO. These spiritual powers can be accessed and harnessed through various magical rituals.

  11. Humanity is merely one of the “Ten Thousand Things” manifested in nature, one animal species among others. However, human beings (unlike other animals) have the power of free choice. This enables them to act contrary to nature (contrary to the TAO), to become alienated from the “Way.” Humans can choose to separate themselves from the natural order, and they can pursue things they want in addition to things they need. This leads to an unnatural existence filled with various kinds of pain & suffering. Philosophical Anthropology -The Taoist perspective on human nature & the human predicament

  12. (Taoist metaphysics/anthropology, continued) The solution to the human predicament • Back to nature; back to the TAO. • The practice of wu-wei (non-ado, effortless action, action without friction & conflict, swimming with the current) -- the simple, natural life. • Go with the flow. • Chill out.

  13. Ethical Doctrines(guidelines for right conduct) • Tune in to Te (the power of TAO), & follow the TAO. • Practice wu-wei (non-ado). • Follow the path of least resistance (like water does); practice relaxed action through yielding. • Avoid self-assertion & competition; practice humility & non-combativeness. • Disdain worldly prizes. • “The way to do is to be.” • Other specific ethical principles the same as in Confucianism, but with an individualistic & non-political emphasis.

  14. There is major interest in conserving, increasing, &/or gaining control over Te & its vital energy (chi). There are numerous rituals aimed at the veneration of the gods & good spirits & at placation of & protection from demons. There are also magical & occult practices (oracles, divination, astrology, mediumism, healing rites, etc.) aimed at gaining control over the powers of nature (Te). The concern with increasing the supply of Te’s vital energy (chi) is expressed in practices involving diet & nutrition, pharmacology & folk medicine (including acupuncture), and yoga-like concentration on the inner self (sexual experiments, breathing exercises, tai chi chuan & other martial arts, & control of the mind through meditation techniques). Taoists also believe that TAO-Masters who have realized a surplus of chi can radiate from themselves a healing & harmonious psychic influence to the communities in which they live. On the religious side of Taoism,

  15. Taoist Political Philosophy(an application of wu-wei) Limited government & a laid-back prince -- a kind of libertarianism? (See the TTC’s many passages on government, political leadership, warfare, social & economic policy, etc.)

  16. Taoist Epistemology Is there any?

  17. The philosophical content of the Tao Te Ching: • TAO • Yin & Yang & the principle of reversal • Non-ado (wu-wei) • The TAO-Master (the Taoist hero) • Seeking the TAO & living in the TAO • How to live • Meditation • Emptiness • Anti-Confucianism • Political philosophy

  18. Lao Tzu says that his teachings are derived from an ancient system of principles & that they are easy to understand & to put into practice, but that no one understands & practices them.

  19. He also says: • Many consider my teaching to be nonsense. • But the profound is a lot like nonsense. • If a teaching does not seem nonsensical, then it must be trivial.

  20. Indefinable Unnamable The source of both reality & appearance Empty, but never used up; always available Hidden, but always present Older than the gods Invisible, inaudible, intangible The One Appears in countless forms; given countless names Without form, but complete The Mother of all things Characteristics of the TAO

  21. Silent. Empty. Independent. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternal. • Creator of all things • Present in all things • Returns all things to their origin (nothingness, no-thing-ness?) • Does not contend, but it prevails; does not speak, but it answers; is not called, but it responds; has no purpose, but it achieves all of its aims • When you seek it, you find it.

  22. Yin/Yang & the Principle of Reversal • TTC 2a Yin/Yang bipolarity • TTC 22 Reversal • TTC 28a Yin/Yang balance • TTC 36 Reversal • TTC 40 Reversal & Yielding • TTC 42 Yin/Yang & Reversal

  23. Wu-wei (non-ado) • Therefore, the Tao-Master acts with non-ado • & teaches without speaking. • Things come & go. • He lets them come & go. • He creates, but he does not own. • He achieves, but he takes no credit. • He completes his work & then forgets about it. • Practice non-ado, & your accomplishments endure. (TTC 2b)

  24. TTC 10b (non-ado as non-action) TTC 10c (non-ado & virtue) TTC 29 (letting go & letting be) TTC 43 (soft/hard) TTC 44 (knowing when enough is enough) TTC 48 (letting be) TTC 76 (softness & flexibility vs. hardness & stiffness) Other wu-wei passages

  25. The TAO-Master Characteristics of the Taoist hero

  26. Thoughts of a Tao-Master (TTC 20)

  27. Detached Selfless Cautious Alert Courteous Yielding Undefined Open Murky Quiet Calm & unperturbed Good to people who are good Good to people who are not good Trusts those who are trustworthy Trusts those who are not trustworthy Radiates peace & harmony Characteristics of the TAO-Master -Compassionate -Self-restrained -Does not want to be ahead of others An expert practitioner of non-ado

  28. TTC 7b (detachment) TTC 15 (general description) TTC 24 (disgusting things) TTC 26 (not swept away) TTC 45 (seems vs. is) TTC 49 (radiator) TTC 63 (The T-M’s M.O.) TTC 64 (ditto) TTC 67b (virtues) TTC 71(Socratic wisdom) TTC 81 (truth, goodness, wisdom, non-ado) Passages describing the TAO-Master (Look at underlined passages?)

  29. Seeking the TAO (TTC 41)

  30. Living in the TAO (TTC 23)

  31. Living in the TAO (cont'd) (TTC 37)

  32. TTC 8 TTC 9* TTC 12* TTC 33* TTC 52* TTC 56* It is good to be like water. It nourishes without effort. It flows without contention into low places that people scorn. Thus, it is like the Tao. In dwelling, live close to the land. In thinking, go deep. In relating to others, be gentle. In governing, seek good order and justice. In acting, be skillful. In working, do all things at the right time. No contention, no strife. How to Live(Ethical Prescriptions) *(See Text)

  33. Meditation (TTC 10a) (See also TTC 11)

  34. The Value of Emptiness & Non-Being (TTC 11)

  35. Lao-Tzu’s Anti-Confucianism • TTC 18 • TTC 19 • TTC 38 • Down with kindness & morality, intelligence & learning, family values, industry & profit, clinging to power, activism, virtue, justice, & propriety!

  36. TTC 3 (Taoist rule) TTC 17 (types of rulers) TTC 28b (uncarved wood) TTC 30(war) TTC 31(weapons) TTC 32 (dividing & naming) TTC 46 (enough is enough) TTC 53 (social criticism) TTC 57 (keep it simple) TTC 58 (limited govt.) TTC 60 (large country, small fish) TTC 61 (yielding) TTC 65 (enlightening the people) TTC 66 (low profile) TTC 68 (non-contending) TTC 69 (war) TTC 74 (death penalty) TTC 75 (limited govt.) TTC 77 (social policy) TTC 78 (water) Lao-Tzu’s Political Philosophy

  37. A Taoist Utopia (TTC 80)

  38. Self (TTC 13)

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