Taoism The Philosophy Of Taoism - 1496 Words

The yin-yang is a popular symbol known even in the western world. Countless items are plastered with the flowing circle of black and white, from jewelry and clothes, to furniture and home dà ©cor. Although it is seen everywhere, very few understand the long history contained within the two spiraling hemispheres. Monochrome, yet it represents the colorful and ambiguous philosophy of Taoism. The ideology of Taoism, much like the yin-yang, is very simple although very profound and intricate. The three most distinctive elements which define the worldview of Taoism are the Tao, the nature of mankind, and the Wu Wei. The Tao or â€Å"the Way† originated in China around 500-600 B.C. during the Warring States period. As the fires of war spread and†¦show more content†¦Though they bear different names, they serve the same mystical cause† (Lao Tzu 8). Lao Tzu conveys ideas in this style throughout the text and lays the groundwork for which the worldview of Taoism will be constructed upon. Another main work, the Chuang Tzu, expands upon the Dao de Jing by putting Lao Tzu’s principals into action using simple examples and stories. The Chuang Tzu shares the same name as its author meaning â€Å"Master Chuang.† The stories inside attempt to explain the ideas in Lao Tzu’s original work by applying them to everyday life and using patterns in nature to illustrate how the Tao functions. Chuang Tzu’s text is much less ambiguous than that of Lao Tzu but is still very open ended. Rather than simply suggesting ideas using poetry, Chuang Tzu directly states principles, although those principles may not have a definite answer. He writes, â€Å"The Great Tà ¢o does not admit of being praised. The Great Argument does not require words.† (Legge 8). These declared statements give more definition to the illusive mystery of the Tao and lead to further development to Taoism as a religion. Through this work, the worldview of Taoism be gins to become more tangible as the Tao is presented in a more perceivable way. Along with the numerous key works of Taoism, there are a wide variety of influences that have been incorporated into Taoism over its long history. The indigenous folklore of China became intertwined with Taoism asShow MoreRelatedTaoism As A Philosophy Or Religion?1917 Words   |  8 Pagesor philosophy comes to mind, Taoism is often unheard of and is shrouded with mystery. While this is true, its rich history and ideologies are both profound and intriguing. Taoism is one of the oldest and most ancient philosophies known to mankind. There are many theories as to just how old the customs are. Taoism is also referred to as Daoism which is a more precise way of articulating the word in English to match the pronunciation of the Chinese word. Taoism is often entitled as a philosophy orRead MorePhilosophy Socrates vs. Taoism2554 Words   |  11 PagesThroughout history western and eastern philosophies have de veloped a vast segregation from one another. The geographical and cultural distance between eastern and western civilization determined massive differences between the two. On the other hand, the works of ancient Greek philosophers like Socrates, and some eastern philosophies like Taoism have many of the same or common ideas and concepts. Both eastern and western philosophies regardless of having similarities have distinctive differencesRead MoreTaoism And The Philosophy Of Tai Chi Chuan1482 Words   |  6 Pagesns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism.html Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. Taoism and the Philosophy of Tai Chi Chuan. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2015. This is a summary of the growth of Taoism. 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The Encyclopedia of Sex and Gender states, the Chinese view yin and yang as opposites, where yin is dark andRead MoreTaoism : Religion And Religion1428 Words   |  6 Pages Taoism Religion Taoism is one of the great philosophical and religious traditions that’s originated in China. It is a unique and interesting religion, due to the fact that many Taoists do not even consider it a religion. In many ways it can be seen as not a religion but more of a philosophy. The Taoists never claimed that the Tao ever existed. This separates them from other religions because there is no debate or battle on the Taoist doctrine. The individuality and open-mindedness has allowed theRead MoreHinduism And Taoism802 Words   |  4 PagesCompare and Contrast: Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism. Both Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism in religious context compare through origin, philosophy, and their social structures including their outlook on women. 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