Lao Tzu*

(6th century BC?)

*Also known as
and the Laotse, Laozi, Lao-
Zi, Li Erh, Li Tan, &
Lao Tan.

Dao De Jing
(Dow Duh Jing)

(The Book of the Way and Its Power)

10/1/08
 According to tradition,
Lao Tzu (The Old Boy)
was born in 604 BC 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 BC.
Before leaving, however, he recorded his
philosophical insights in a short book, the Dao De Jing
(also known as the Lao Tzu), which is one of the
foundational classics of Philosophical Daoism.
A second major primary source
of Philosophical Daoism is

The Book of Chuang Tzu,

by
Chuang Tzu
(also known as Chuang Chou, Zhuang-Zi)
(c. 369-286 BC)
Daoism is both

a philosophy
&
a religion.
Leading ideas in Daoist thought
Vision of Reality (metaphysics)
Ontology/Cosmology
The DAO
Chi (Ch'I, Qi)

De

Yin/Yang

The natural order (the universe & all things in it)

Theology - gods & spirits

Anthropology - human nature & the human
predicament
Values: Ethics & Political Philosophy
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 ones
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)
 Chi (Ch'i, Qi)

Primordial, arises from the Dao

Vital matter and energy
All things (other than Dao and Chi
itself) composed of Chi the basic
"stuff" substance of nature
De (Duh)
denotes a moral power or virtue
characteristic of a person who follows
the correct course of conduct . . . .
[In Daoism], 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 (De) of the
DAO is expressed in the
cosmos in accordance with
the Yin/Yang principle.
Daoist metaphysics, continued
- Ontology/Cosmology
- DAO
- Chi (Ch'I, Qi)
- DE
- Yin/Yang
- The natural order

The cosmos
(universe, nature)
is an ever-changing expression &
blend of Yin and Yang, full of the
power (De) of the DAO.
 (Daoist metaphysics,
continued)
Daoist
theology
The DAO 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 DAO 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 (De) of the DAO. These spiritual powers can
be accessed and harnessed through various magical
rituals.
 Philosophical Anthropology -
The Daoist perspective on human nature &
the human predicament
Humanity is merely one of the
Den 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
DAO), 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.
 (Daoist metaphysics/anthropology, continued)

The solution to the human predicament

Back to nature; back to the DAO.

The practice of wu-wei (non-ado,
effortless action, action without friction &
conflict, swimming with the current) --
the simple, natural life, performing no
action contrary to nature.
Go with the flow.
Chill out.
Leading ideas in Taoist thought
Reality
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
Values: Ethics & Political Philosophy
 Ethical Doctrines
(guidelines for right conduct)

Tune in to De (the power of DAO), & follow the DAO.

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.
On the religious side of Daoism,
There is major interest in
conserving, increasing, &/or
gaining control over De & 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 (De).
The concern with increasing the
supply of Des 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).
Daoists also believe that DAO-
Masters who have realized a
surplus of chi can radiate from
themselves a healing &
harmonious psychic influence to
the communities in which they live.
 Daoist Political Philosophy
(an application of wu-wei)

Limited government & a laid-back prince --

a kind of libertarianism?

(See the DDJs many passages on government, political

leadership, warfare, social & economic policy, etc.)
The philosophical content of
the Dao De Jing:
DAO
Yin & Yang & the principle of reversal
Non-ado (wu-wei)
The DAO-Master (the Daoist hero)
Seeking the DAO & living in the DAO
How to live
Meditation
Emptiness
Anti-Confucianism
Political philosophy
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.

(DDJ 70)
 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.
 Characteristics of the DAO
Indefinable Invisible, inaudible,
Unnamable intangible
The source of both The One
reality & appearance Appears in countless
Empty, but never used forms; given countless
up; always available names
Hidden, but always Without form, but
present complete
Older than the gods The Mother of all things
 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.
Yin/Yang & the Principle of Reversal

DDJ 2a Yin/Yang bipolarity

DDJ 22 Reversal
DDJ 28a Yin/Yang balance
DDJ 36 Reversal
DDJ 40 Reversal & Yielding
DDJ 42 Yin/Yang & Reversal
Wu-wei (non-ado)
Therefore, the Dao-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.
 Other wu-wei passages
DDJ 10b (non-ado as
non-action)
DDJ 10c (non-ado & DDJ 48 (letting be)
virtue) DDJ 76 (softness &
DDJ 29 (letting go & flexibility vs. hardness
letting be) & stiffness)
DDJ 43 (soft/hard)
DDJ 44 (knowing
when enough is
enough)
The DAO-Master
Thoughts of a Dao-Master
Characteristics of the DAO-Master
Detached Good to people who
Selfless are good
Cautious Good to people who
Alert are not good
Courteous Trusts those who
are trustworthy
Yielding
Trusts those who
Undefined
are not trustworthy
Open Radiates peace &
Murky harmony
Quiet
Calm & unperturbed
Passages describing the DAO-Master

DDJ 7b (detachment) DDJ 63 (The T-Ms M.O.)

DDJ 15 (general description) DDJ 64 (ditto)
DDJ 24 (disgusting things)
DDJ 67b (virtues)
DDJ 26 (not swept away) DDJ 71 (Socratic wisdom)
DDJ 45 (seems vs. is) DDJ 81 (truth, goodness,
DDJ 49 (radiator) 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 didnt make fun of it, it wouldnt 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.
(DDJ 41)
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.

Much talk is contrary to nature.
The wind doesnt blow all morning.
The rain doesnt fall all day.
Wind and rain are caused by nature,
If nature restrains herself, shouldnt 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. (DDJ 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)
It is good to be like water.
DDJ 8 It nourishes without effort.
DDJ 9* It flows without contention into low places
that people scorn.
DDJ 12* Thus, it is like the Dao.
DDJ 33* In dwelling, live close to the land.
In thinking, go deep.
DDJ 52*

In relating to others, be gentle.

DDJ 56* In governing, seek good order and justice.
In acting, be skillful.
In working, do all things at the right time.
No contention, no strife.
The Value of Emptiness & Non-Being
Lao-Tzus Anti-Confucianism
DDJ 18
DDJ 19
DDJ 38

Down with kindness & morality,

intelligence & learning, family values,
industry & profit, clinging to power,
activism, virtue, justice, & propriety!
Lao-Tzus Political Philosophy
DDJ 3 (Daoist rule)
DDJ 17 (types of rulers)
DDJ 28b (uncarved wood)
DDJ 30 (war)
DDJ 31 (weapons)
DDJ 32 (dividing & naming)
DDJ 46 (enough is enough)
DDJ 53 (social criticism)
DDJ 57 (keep it simple)
DDJ 58 (limited govt.)
DDJ 60 (large country, small fish)
DDJ 61 (yielding)
DDJ 65 (enlightening the people)
DDJ 66 (low profile)
DDJ 68 (non-contending)
DDJ 69 (war)
DDJ 74 (death penalty)
DDJ 75 (limited govt.)
DDJ 77 (social policy)
DDJ 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 seriously
and 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 back

to the old system of cord-knotting.
They enjoy their plain but good food,
(DDJ 80) 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 and
the barking of the dogs over there can be easily heard over here;
and yet the people over here grow old and die
without ever having been over there.
 Self
Being 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.