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

and theand the

Tao Te ChingTao Te Ching((Dow Duh JingDow Duh Jing))

*Also known as Laotse, Laozi, Li Erh, Li Tan, & Lao Tan.

According to tradition,According to tradition,Lao Tzu (“The Old Boy”)Lao Tzu (“The Old Boy”)

was born in 604 BCE in the Chu Province,was born in 604 BCE in the Chu Province, had a long career as the royal historian-librarian-had a long career as the royal historian-librarian-

archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang, archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang, & (after becoming disillusioned as a result of the & (after becoming disillusioned as a result of the

increasing decline of the Chou dynasty) left increasing decline of the Chou dynasty) left China for Tibet or India late in the 6th (or China for Tibet or India late in the 6th (or perhaps early in the 5th) century BCE.perhaps early in the 5th) century BCE.

Before leaving, however, he recorded his Before leaving, however, he recorded his philosophical insights in a short book, the philosophical insights in a short book, the Tao Te Tao Te ChingChing (also known as the (also known as the Lao TzuLao Tzu), which is one ), which is one of the foundational classics of “Philosophical of the foundational classics of “Philosophical Taoism.”Taoism.”

Taoism is bothTaoism is both

a philosophya philosophy

&&

a religion.a religion.

Leading ideas in Taoist Leading ideas in Taoist thoughtthought

MetaphysicsMetaphysics– Ontology/CosmologyOntology/Cosmology

The The TAOTAO TeTe Yin/YangYin/Yang The natural order (the universe & all things in The natural order (the universe & all things in

it)it)

– Theology - gods & spiritsTheology - gods & spirits– Anthropology - human nature & the Anthropology - human nature & the

human predicamenthuman predicament Axiology: Ethics & Political PhilosophyAxiology: Ethics & Political Philosophy Epistemology?Epistemology?

TAO

DOW

DAO

“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)

TeTe (“Duh”) (“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)

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

Yin & Yangfemale

dark

cool

moist

passive

negative

evil

malebrighthotdryactivepositivegood

Earth &moon

Heaven &sun

The cosmosThe cosmos(universe, nature)(universe, nature)

is an ever-changing is an ever-changing expression & blend of expression & blend of YinYin and and YangYang, full of the power (, full of the power (TeTe) of ) of

the the TAOTAO..

Taoist metaphysics

- Ontology/Cosmology - TAO - TE - Yin/Yang - The natural order

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.

Taoist theology

(Taoist metaphysics, continued)

Philosophical Anthropology Philosophical Anthropology --

The Taoist perspective on human The Taoist perspective on human nature & the human predicamentnature & the human predicament

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.

The solution to the human The solution to the human predicamentpredicament

Back to nature; back to the Back to nature; back to the TAOTAO.. The practice of The practice of wu-weiwu-wei (non-ado, (non-ado,

effortless action, action without effortless action, action without friction & conflict, swimming with the friction & conflict, swimming with the current) -- the simple, natural life.current) -- the simple, natural life.

Go with the flow.Go with the flow. Chill out.Chill out.

(Taoist metaphysics/anthropology, continued)

Leading ideas in Taoist thoughtLeading ideas in Taoist thought

MetaphysicsMetaphysics–– Ontology/CosmologyOntology/Cosmology

The The TAOTAO TeTe Yin/YangYin/Yang The natural order (the universe & all things in it)The natural order (the universe & all things in it)

–– Theology - gods & spiritsTheology - gods & spirits–– Anthropology - human nature & the humanAnthropology - human nature & the human

predicamentpredicament

Axiology: Ethics & Political PhilosophyAxiology: Ethics & Political Philosophy

Epistemology?Epistemology?

Ethical DoctrinesEthical Doctrines(guidelines for right conduct)(guidelines for right conduct)

Tune in to Tune in to TeTe (the power of (the power of TAOTAO), & follow the ), & follow the TAOTAO.. Practice Practice wu-weiwu-wei (non-ado). (non-ado). Follow the path of least resistance (like water Follow the path of least resistance (like water

does); practice relaxed action through yielding.does); practice relaxed action through yielding. Avoid self-assertion & competition; practice Avoid self-assertion & competition; practice

humility & non-combativeness.humility & non-combativeness. Disdain worldly prizes.Disdain worldly prizes. ““The way to do is to be.”The way to do is to be.” Other specific ethical principles the same as in Other specific ethical principles the same as in

Confucianism, but with an individualistic & non-Confucianism, but with an individualistic & non-political emphasis.political emphasis.

On the religious side of On the religious side of Taoism,Taoism,

There is major interest in There is major interest in conserving, increasing, &/or conserving, increasing, &/or gaining control over gaining control over TeTe & its & its vital energy (vital energy (chichi).).

There are numerous rituals There are numerous rituals aimed at the veneration of aimed at the veneration of the gods & good spirits & at the gods & good spirits & at placation of & protection placation of & protection from demons.from demons.

There are also magical & There are also magical & occult practices (oracles, occult practices (oracles, divination, astrology, divination, astrology, mediumism, healing rites, mediumism, healing rites, etc.) aimed at gaining etc.) aimed at gaining control over the powers of control over the powers of nature (nature (TeTe).).

The concern with increasing The concern with increasing the supply of the supply of Te’sTe’s vital energy vital energy ((chichi) is expressed in practices ) is expressed in practices involving diet & nutrition, involving diet & nutrition, pharmacology & folk medicine pharmacology & folk medicine (including acupuncture), and (including acupuncture), and yoga-like concentration on the yoga-like concentration on the inner self (sexual experiments, inner self (sexual experiments, breathing exercises, breathing exercises, tai chi tai chi chuanchuan & other martial arts, & & other martial arts, & control of the mind through control of the mind through meditation techniques).meditation techniques).

Taoists also believe that TAO-Taoists also believe that TAO-Masters who have realized a Masters who have realized a surplus of surplus of chichi can radiate from can radiate from themselves a healing & themselves a healing & harmonious psychic influence harmonious psychic influence to the communities in which to the communities in which they live.they live.

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.)

Taoist EpistemologyTaoist Epistemology

Is there any?Is there any?

Leading ideas in Taoist thoughtLeading ideas in Taoist thought

MetaphysicsMetaphysics–– Ontology/CosmologyOntology/Cosmology

The The TAOTAO TeTe Yin/YangYin/Yang The natural order (the universe & all things in it)The natural order (the universe & all things in it)

–– Theology - gods & spiritsTheology - gods & spirits–– Anthropology - human nature & the humanAnthropology - human nature & the human

predicamentpredicament

Axiology: Ethics & Political PhilosophyAxiology: Ethics & Political Philosophy

Epistemology?Epistemology?

The philosophical content The philosophical content of the of the Tao Te Ching:Tao Te Ching:

TAOTAO Yin & Yang & the principle of Yin & Yang & the principle of

reversalreversal Non-ado Non-ado (wu-wei)(wu-wei) The The TAOTAO-Master (the Taoist hero)-Master (the Taoist hero) Seeking the Seeking the TAOTAO & living in the & living in the TAOTAO How to liveHow to live MeditationMeditation EmptinessEmptiness Anti-ConfucianismAnti-Confucianism Political philosophyPolitical philosophy

Lao Tzu says that his Lao Tzu says that his teachings are derived from teachings are derived from

an ancient system of an ancient system of principles & that they are principles & that they are

easy to understand & to put easy to understand & to put into practice,into practice,

but that no one understands but that no one understands & practices them.& practices them.

He also says:He also says:

Many consider my teaching to be Many consider my teaching to be nonsense.nonsense.

But the profound is a lot like But the profound is a lot like nonsense.nonsense.

If a teaching does not seem If a teaching does not seem nonsensical, then it must be trivial.nonsensical, then it must be trivial.

Characteristics of the Characteristics of the TAOTAO

IndefinableIndefinable UnnamableUnnamable The source of both The source of both

reality & appearancereality & appearance Empty, but never Empty, but never

used up; always used up; always availableavailable

Hidden, but always Hidden, but always presentpresent

Older than the godsOlder than the gods

Invisible, inaudible, Invisible, inaudible, intangibleintangible

The OneThe One Appears in countless Appears in countless

forms; given forms; given countless namescountless names

Without form, but Without form, but completecomplete

The Mother of all The Mother of all thingsthings

Silent. Empty. Independent. Silent. Empty. Independent. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternal.Unchanging. Infinite. Eternal.

Creator of all thingsCreator of all things Present in all thingsPresent in all things Returns all things to their origin Returns all things to their origin

(nothingness, no-thing-ness?)(nothingness, no-thing-ness?) Does not contend, but it prevails; does not Does not contend, but it prevails; does not

speak, but it answers; is not called, but it speak, but it answers; is not called, but it responds; has no purpose, but it achieves all responds; has no purpose, but it achieves all of its aimsof its aims

When you seek it, you find it.When you seek it, you find it.

Yin/YangYin/Yang & the Principle of & the Principle of ReversalReversal

TTC 2a Yin/Yang bipolarityTTC 2a Yin/Yang bipolarity TTC 22 ReversalTTC 22 Reversal TTC 28a Yin/Yang balanceTTC 28a Yin/Yang balance TTC 36 ReversalTTC 36 Reversal TTC 40 Reversal & YieldingTTC 40 Reversal & Yielding TTC 42 Yin/Yang & ReversalTTC 42 Yin/Yang & Reversal

Wu-weiWu-wei (non-ado) (non-ado) Therefore, the Tao-Master acts with non-adoTherefore, the Tao-Master acts with non-ado & teaches without speaking.& teaches without speaking. Things come & go.Things come & go. He lets them come & go.He lets them come & go. He creates, but he does not own.He creates, but he does not own. He achieves, but he takes no credit.He achieves, but he takes no credit. He completes his work & then forgets about He completes his work & then forgets about

it.it.

Practice non-ado, & your accomplishments Practice non-ado, & your accomplishments endure.endure.

Other Other wu-weiwu-wei passages passages

TTC 10b (non-ado TTC 10b (non-ado as non-action)as non-action)

TTC 10c (non-ado TTC 10c (non-ado & virtue)& virtue)

TTC 29 (letting go TTC 29 (letting go & letting be)& letting be)

TTC 43 (soft/hard)TTC 43 (soft/hard) TTC 44 (knowing TTC 44 (knowing

when enough is when enough is enough)enough)

TTC 48 (letting be)TTC 48 (letting be) TTC 76 (softness & TTC 76 (softness &

flexibility vs. flexibility vs. hardness & stiffness)hardness & stiffness)

The The TAOTAO-Master-Master

Thoughts of a Thoughts of a TaoTao-Master-MasterNo more learning, no more trouble.Is there any real difference between “Ahhh!” and “Yuk!”?What about “good” and “evil”?Must I fear what others fear?Ridiculous!

Everybody else is smiling,having fun as if at a festival or carnival.I alone am drifting, not knowing whether I’m coming or going,like a baby before it has learned to smile.

Others have what they need; I have nothing.I might as well be homeless.I’m a fool. Very confused.

Others are bright; I am dim.Others are sharp; I am dull, lost at sea, without direction.Others have plans; I am aimless.

I am different from others.I am nourished by the Great Mother.

Characteristics of the TAO-Master

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

Passages describing the TAO-Master

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)

(Look at underlined passages?)

When a thoughtful man hears of the Tao, he tries to follow it.When an average man hears of the Tao,he wonders about it, but then tends to forget it.When a fool hears of the Tao, he makes fun of it.If someone didn’t make fun of it, it wouldn’t be the Tao.

Therefore, when seeking the Tao,light seems dark,advancing feels like retreating,the simple appears difficult,power is like weakness,purity seems tarnished,true virtue seems deficient and unsteady,and the clear seems obscure.

The true square has no corners.The true vessel never sails.The true sound is hard to hear.The true form has no shape.

The Tao is hidden, beyond definition; but it alone fulfills.

(TTC 41)

Much talk is contrary to nature.The wind doesn’t blow all morning.The rain doesn’t fall all day.Wind and rain are caused by nature,If nature restrains herself, shouldn’t people do the same?

He who follows the Tao is one with the Tao.He who is virtuous is one with Virtue [Te].He who loses the Tao becomes a loss.

Surrender to the Tao, and it will be your home.Practice virtue [Te], and it will be your abode.Lose the Tao, and you will then reside in loss.

No trust given, no trust received. (TTC 23)

The Tao never acts, yet through it everything gets done.If rulers could reside in the Tao,everything would fall into place all by itself.Action is restrained by the Tao.Action restrained, no desire.No desire: tranquillity.All things at peace.

How to Live(Ethical Prescriptions)

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.

*(See Text)

Can you keep body and soul togetherand find your wholeness in the One?Can you make your breathing as soft as anewborn child’s?Can you cleanse your inner visionuntil you see with perfect clarity?

The Value of Emptiness & Non-The Value of Emptiness & Non-BeingBeing

Thirty spokes are joined in the hub of the wheel,but it is the center hole, where it is empty,that makes the wheel useful.We make a clay pot,but it is the emptiness inside that makes the pot useful.We cut windows and doors to make a room,but it is the inner emptiness that makes the room useful.

We seek to take advantage of what is,but we also find much use for what is not.

Lao-Tzu’s Anti-Lao-Tzu’s Anti-ConfucianismConfucianism

TTC 18TTC 18 TTC 19TTC 19 TTC 38TTC 38

Down with kindness & morality, Down with kindness & morality, intelligence & learning, family intelligence & learning, family values, industry & profit, clinging to values, industry & profit, clinging to power, activism, virtue, justice, & power, activism, virtue, justice, & propriety!propriety!

Lao-Tzu’s Political Lao-Tzu’s Political PhilosophyPhilosophy

TTC 3 (Taoist rule)TTC 3 (Taoist rule) TTC 17TTC 17 (types of rulers) (types of rulers) TTC 28bTTC 28b (uncarved wood) (uncarved wood)

TTC 30TTC 30 (war)(war) TTC 31TTC 31 (weapons)(weapons) TTC 32 TTC 32 (dividing & naming)(dividing & naming) TTC 46TTC 46 (enough is enough) (enough is enough) TTC 53TTC 53 (social criticism) (social criticism) TTC 57TTC 57 (keep it simple) (keep it simple)

TTC 58TTC 58 (limited govt.) (limited govt.) TTC 60TTC 60 (large country, small fish) (large country, small fish)

TTC 61 (yielding)TTC 61 (yielding) TTC 65TTC 65 (enlightening the people) (enlightening the people)

TTC 66 (low profile)TTC 66 (low profile) TTC 68TTC 68 (non-contending) (non-contending) TTC 69 (war)TTC 69 (war) TTC 74 (death penalty)TTC 74 (death penalty) TTC 75 (limited govt.)TTC 75 (limited govt.) TTC 77 (social policy)TTC 77 (social policy) TTC 78 (water)TTC 78 (water)

Imagine a small country with a small population.They have lots of technology, but they use none of it.They take the prospect of death seriouslyand thus do not travel far from home.They have boats and carriages, but no one takes them out.They have weapons and armor,but no one takes them out of the armory.

Instead of writing, they have gone backto the old system of cord-knotting.They enjoy their plain but good food,their simple but fine clothing,their humble but secure homes.They are happy with their way of life.

The next country is so close that the crowing of the cocks andthe barking of the dogs over there can be easily heard over here;and yet the people over here grow old and diewithout ever having been over there.

(TTC 80)

SelfSelfBeing in favor or being in disgrace: either way, trouble.It is all within the Self.

What does this mean?

Being in favor, we fear falling out of favor.Being out of favor, we fear remaining there.

This fear is within the Self.No Self, no fear.

Do you value the world as you value yourself?You may be trusted to rule.Do you love the world as you love yourself?The world may be entrusted to your care.