Jimmy Bai

 Lao Tzu was said to have lived in China in 6 th century BCE.  He is known as “The Old Master” or “Old Teacher”.  He is the founder of Taoism.  Lao wrote a famous book called the Tao Te Ching which is a written account of all Taoist beliefs.

 Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.

 Tao: The “Path”, which ordains all of a persons virtues. It is a metaphysical concept that gave rise to Taoism.  Tao Te Ching: Chinese text written by Lao Tzu which is fundamental to philosophical and religious Taoism.  Wu-Wei: An important concept in Taoism which translates to non-action. Lao Tzu explains that beings who practice wu-wei become in harmony with the Tao and follow a natural course in life.

 Taoist ethics are divided into 6 basic principles. According to Lao Tzu in the Tao Te Ching, they are:  1.Selflessness  2.Moderation  3.Embracing the Mystery  4.Non-Contrivance  5.Detachment  6.Humility

 What role does a persons ethics play when faced with an opportunity to assist others?

 Picture this: You’re walking down a busy street. Cars travel by frequently and everyone is just walking along going about their usual routines. You notice a little boy unconscious lying on the side of the street. You stop to wonder. Why isn’t anyone helping the boy? Am I just imagining that he is there? You are walking along with a group of people who are in a rush and seem to just keep walking away. Moments later, You stop to ponder. Why didn’t I help that little boy?

 According to Lao, one must practice wu-wei or non-action.  By doing this, we follow a natural course of action and allow things to occur in order to achieve peace and enlightenment.  Wu-wei states that we are capable to respond effortlessly to situations which arise.  It is believed that one who abides by this way of thinking will become one with the Tao and that all actions that one performs will be the highest benefit to all who we contact.

 Lao Tzu’s writings on ethics seem to all centre around a universally accepted behavior. However, he does not take into account any exceptions.  The concept of Wu-Wei is difficult to associate to modern times because the way we are taught and cultivated in society creates a sort of obligation to help others.  Western traditions place a strong emphasis on selflessly helping others regardless of the situation.  There are times in our lives where simply doing nothing does not suffice.

 Is there an intrinsic flow of events that everything adapts to?  Do our ethics influence our own personal path in life? And if so, are we diverging from the true path?  Do you believe that when faced with a difficult decision, it is acceptable to let nature take its path?  Is the practice of Wu-Wei considered to be idealistic and inapplicable to the modern world?

 Lao Tzu was a great philosopher and the founder of Taoism. Whether he is an actual person, a mythical legend, or a series of wise philosophers is unknown but regardless, his impacts have defined many beliefs in China.  His belief in Wu-Wei or non-action contradicts western and modern beliefs.

 Ultimately the role ethics has is to influence your choices in life whether you choose what you believe to be right or wrong. Lao Tzu suggests that following the Tao and being able to effortlessly make choices through non-action is how our ethics should influence our decisions.  However, the eternal Tao cannot be defined and your ethical decisions are essentially derived from your own inner Tao.