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

3. According to tradition, Lao Tzu (“The Old Boy”) n was born in 604 BCE in the Chu Province, n had a long career as the royal historian-librarian- archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang, n & (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. n 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.”

5. Taoism is both a philosophy & a religion.

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

7. TAO DOW DAO

8. “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)

9. 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)

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

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

13. n n 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. n n 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)

14. Philosophical Anthropology - The Taoist perspective on human nature & the human predicament n n Humanity is merely one of the “Ten Thousand Things” manifested in nature, one animal species among others. n n 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.” n Humans can choose to separate themselves from the natural order, and they can pursue things they want in addition to things they need. n This leads to an unnatural existence filled with various kinds of pain & suffering.

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

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

18. On the religious side of Taoism, n There is major interest in conserving, increasing, &/or gaining control over Te & its vital energy (chi). n There are numerous rituals aimed at the veneration of the gods & good spirits & at placation of & protection from demons. n There are also magical & occult practices (oracles, divination, astrology, mediumism, healing rites, etc.) aimed at gaining control over the powers of nature (Te). n 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). n 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.

19. 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.)

20. Taoist Epistemology Is there any?

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

23. 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.

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

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

26. Silent. Empty. Independent. Unchanging. Infinite. Eternal. n Creator of all things n Present in all things n Returns all things to their origin (nothingness, no- thing-ness?) n 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 n When you seek it, you find it.

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

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

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

30. The TAO-Master

31. Thoughts of a Tao-Master

32. Characteristics of the TAO-Master n n Detached n n Selfless n n Cautious n n Alert n n Courteous n n Yielding n n Undefined n n Open n n Murky n n Quiet n n Calm & unperturbed n Good to people who are good n Good to people who are not good n Trusts those who are trustworthy n Trusts those who are not trustworthy n Radiates peace & harmony

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

34. (TTC 41)

35. (TTC 23)

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

39. The Value of Emptiness & Non-Being

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

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

42. (TTC 80)

43. Self