Lau-Tzu

Taoism is usually associated with Lau-Tzu, but some scholars trace the origin of Taoism to a Chinese philosopher named "Yang-Tzu." Yang-Tzu's focus was on our inability as humans to have much of an effect on the world around us--this is deeply opposed to Confucius. Thus Yang-Tzu recommended becoming a recluse, disconnecting yourself from the world. Many of the early Taoists were, in fact, recluses. Yang-Tzu also felt that people don't value life itself as much as they could--the everyday experience of life--and instead they value things. We'll eventually see the way these early ideas contributed to the development of Taoism. The Taoism we see in Lau-Tzu certainly goes beyond the initial ideas of the early Taoists. Lau-Tzu the Person We actually know very little about Lau-Tzu the person. His name means "Old Master." Some accounts tell us that Lau-Tzu was an old man when Confucius was alive. Others tell us that he lived hundreds of years earlier, others hundreds of years later. One of the problems is that some historians date the Tao Te Ching (a book supposedly written by Lau-Tzu) to a period that does not quite correspond to when he was thought to be alive. It could be the case that Lau-Tzu wrote the book as some notes or ideas, then his students recorded the notes formally for him later. In fact, this interpretation fits with the traditional story we hear about the origin of the Tao Te Ching. As the story goes, Lau-Tzu had had enough of society and was seeking exile from human civilization. This is in harmony with the attitudes of the early Taoist recluses. On the way out of town, however, he was asked by a guard to write his teachings down. At first he protested, but the guard insisted. Finally Lau-Tzu did write down his wisdom and teachings. What he wrote down is supposedly the Tao Te Ching, what is now the defining book of Taoism. There is a great online translation of the Tao Te Ching, with a well organized table of contents, at www.taoteching.org. Sometimes it's fun just to take a look at a random page to see what it says.	In the video below, part of the Tao te Ching is read to (forgive the slang) trippy music and backgrounds. One of the points with the Tao Te Ching is that language limits us. Sometimes you hear the idea that "God is beyond language" from Westerners. The 20th century philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, stressed this point. He said that language is like a ladder that we can use to get beyond language itself, but once we've gotten there we can throw the ladder away.
Below is an artist's conception of Lau-Tzu, the "Old Master." When you see someone throw litter on your favorite beach, what do you do? Most of us probably want to yell at this person. The way of inaction (wu wei) tells us that we should not yell, but calmly pick up the trash and put it in the garbage can. Taoism stresses the idea that knowing too much can be an impediment. Lau-Tzu thought that the innocence and simplicity of children are things all people should try to retain. Very few people can be happy with what's right in front of them. Thus, the Tao Te Ching says, "Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize that there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."	Who is Qualified to be a Wise Master? Before moving on, we should take a moment to pause and consider this situation. Lau-Tzu had to be asked to write down what he knew. Think about some of the “wise masters” of our time and imagine them being asked to write down their wisdom. I'm referring to con men and women who write book after book and charge large amounts of money for seminars so you can digest their "wisdom." Do you think Lao-Tzu was in it for the money? He was seeking exile, seeking disconnection from society. There is actually an interesting lesson here: the best person to take advice from is not always the person throwing advice in your face. One of the quotes from the Tao Te Ching itself ties into the present discussion: "He who speaks does not know, and he who knows does not speak." A beautiful thing about the book is that it's content can be, and has been, interpreted in numerous ways. To interpret the above quote further, you have to wonder how many people who speak really know (about anything). I've certainly met my fair share of people in the world who have tried to tell me "how it is." Whether the topic under discussion is politics or religion or ethics, they know about it. (One of the people who falls into this category is a former boss of mine, unfortunately). Is wisdom the ability to dazzle others with how much you supposedly know, or is it something deeper? Whatever the case, the silence Lau-Tzu recommends seems to be a far cry from the current understanding of wisdom in America. Lau-Tzu and the Tao Te Ching By many accounts, Lau-Tzu developed his philosophy in a time of political turmoil. As we will see, many philosophers develop their positions in response to the world they are born into. Sometimes understanding their world helps us to understand their philosophical position. This is especially significant in contrast to the Western philosophers who ask things like, "What is truth?" Eastern philosophers, seeing war among their people, instead asked, “What is the way?” The Asian sages were often concerned with both a philosophy and how that philosophy could be actualized in their society. In the Tao Te Ching, Lau-Tzu uses short sayings and poetry to express several ideas, one of them being that of the Tao, or the way. One of the primary teachings of the Tao Te Ching—and, as Soccio points out, as we read in the first line—is that the Tao cannot be expressed in words. The Tao is something greater. Words can help us understand it, but the Tao goes beyond. Lau-Tzu is expressing a truth here that later philosophers also struggled with: the problem of language. Language cannot fully represent the world. On the other hand, the Tao is still behind everything; it underlies the very words that tell us it is greater than words. In this sense, language is useful because it can lead us in the right direction. But whatever word you use to represent the Tao will not be the actual Tao. This is expressed in the first line of the Tao Te Ching: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."
The limitations of language were explored in depth in the West during the early 20th century by a school of philosophers sometimes referred to as "Logical Positivists." The group is also sometimes called "The Vienna Circle." Some of these philosophers went so far as to say that any term which does not refer to some empirical thing is meaningless. They tried to do away with metaphysics. For example, they said that terms like "soul" or "God" refer to nothing physical so they are therefore meaningless. The most famous member of the Vienna Circle, Ludwig Wittgenstein, believed that language is limiting, but that the unknown or the "beyond" shows itself through language. In other words, Wittgenstein and Lau-Tzu seem to have something in common. For the Tao Te Ching tells us that language is a guide, but that the Tao goes beyond language. Wittgenstein seems to be saying something similar. (By the way, we will not be studying Wittgenstein in detail, but if anyone is interested there is a chapter devoted to his philosophy in the textbook.) Yin/Yang and Inaction (Wu Wei) Lau-Tzu based his actions on the two opposing forces: yin and yang (as described in more detail in the textbook). Since people of his time were fighting for control (yang), Lau-Tzu proposed the opposite (yin), or the way of inaction (we wei). Contrary to what it seems, this doesn’t mean literally doing nothing! It means that, rather than attempt to gain direct control over our environment, we should take subtle indirect actions. So, for example, if some teenagers leave beer cans on the beach, we shouldn’t lecture them, we should simply pick up the beer cans and put them in a recycling bin. This certainly does sound crazy, and there have been numerous objections to this philosophy throughout the years. Would inaction have worked against Hitler? Then again, consider the verbal disputes between the political left and the right in our own nation. This is what Lau-Tzu was responding to: two opposing forces bickering with each other. Could the way of inaction help? It can almost be thought of as a correction mechanism. If there is too much yang, the yin will come back in and balance things out. And if there's too much yin, then more yang will be needed for balance. Why should we try so hard to achieve one outcome or another? Lau-Tzu wondered. The universe will correct itself, so we should just follow the path of wu wei. Consider the power and the glory of one of the longest enduring empires in human history: Rome. Rome fell eventually. Or consider wu wei on a less grand scale. Consider wu wei in conversation. When a conversation gets heated (too much yang), what is the best solution? Sometimes it's best just to shut up, to stop talking. Step back and re-assess the situation. You can't always change the other person's mind and to continue talking is to add too much fuel to the fire. Military leaders often have an understanding of inaction. You have to know the right times to fight, and the right times to not act at all.	What is it in the Star Wars movies that is behind everything? The Force, right? There is no question that George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, was influenced by Eastern thinking. Still, is it right to compare the Force to the Tao? If anyone is interested, there is a book called Star Wars and Philosopy. Manichaeism is the belief, originating in ancient Persia, that God and the Devil are in a constant battle, the balance of which must be maintained. Manichaeism had a big effect on early Christian thinkers, including St. Augustine. As a result, the relationship between "good" and "evil" has been ingrained into Christian thought. This is part of the reason why you often hear people say that "Good cannot exist without evil." From the Manichaeist perspective this is true: both create a balance. Do you see any similarities between Manichaeism and the yin/yang situation?

Taoism is usually associated with Lau-Tzu, but some scholars trace the origin of Taoism to a Chinese philosopher named "Yang-Tzu." Yang-Tzu's focus was on our inability as humans to have much of an effect on the world around us--this is deeply opposed to Confucius. Thus Yang-Tzu recommended becoming a recluse, disconnecting yourself from the world. Many of the early Taoists were, in fact, recluses. Yang-Tzu also felt that people don't value life itself as much as they could--the everyday experience of life--and instead they value things.

We'll eventually see the way these early ideas contributed to the development of Taoism. The Taoism we see in Lau-Tzu certainly goes beyond the initial ideas of the early Taoists.

Lau-Tzu the Person

We actually know very little about Lau-Tzu the person. His name means "Old Master." Some accounts tell us that Lau-Tzu was an old man when Confucius was alive. Others tell us that he lived hundreds of years earlier, others hundreds of years later. One of the problems is that some historians date the Tao Te Ching (a book supposedly written by Lau-Tzu) to a period that does not quite correspond to when he was thought to be alive. It could be the case that Lau-Tzu wrote the book as some notes or ideas, then his students recorded the notes formally for him later. In fact, this interpretation fits with the traditional story we hear about the origin of the Tao Te Ching.

As the story goes, Lau-Tzu had had enough of society and was seeking exile from human civilization. This is in harmony with the attitudes of the early Taoist recluses. On the way out of town, however, he was asked by a guard to write his teachings down. At first he protested, but the guard insisted. Finally Lau-Tzu did write down his wisdom and teachings. What he wrote down is supposedly the Tao Te Ching, what is now the defining book of Taoism.

There is a great online translation of the Tao Te Ching, with a well organized table of contents, at www.taoteching.org. Sometimes it's fun just to take a look at a random page to see what it says.

In the video below, part of the Tao te Ching is read to (forgive the slang) trippy music and backgrounds.

One of the points with the Tao Te Ching is that language limits us. Sometimes you hear the idea that "God is beyond language" from Westerners. The 20th century philosopher, Ludwig Wittgenstein, stressed this point. He said that language is like a ladder that we can use to get beyond language itself, but once we've gotten there we can throw the ladder away.

Below is an artist's conception of Lau-Tzu, the "Old Master."

When you see someone throw litter on your favorite beach, what do you do? Most of us probably want to yell at this person. The way of inaction (wu wei) tells us that we should not yell, but calmly pick up the trash and put it in the garbage can.

Taoism stresses the idea that knowing too much can be an impediment. Lau-Tzu thought that the innocence and simplicity of children are things all people should try to retain. Very few people can be happy with what's right in front of them. Thus, the Tao Te Ching says, "Be content with what you have, rejoice in the way things are. When you realize that there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."

Who is Qualified to be a Wise Master?

Before moving on, we should take a moment to pause and consider this situation. Lau-Tzu had to be asked to write down what he knew. Think about some of the “wise masters” of our time and imagine them being asked to write down their wisdom. I'm referring to con men and women who write book after book and charge large amounts of money for seminars so you can digest their "wisdom." Do you think Lao-Tzu was in it for the money? He was seeking exile, seeking disconnection from society. There is actually an interesting lesson here: the best person to take advice from is not always the person throwing advice in your face. One of the quotes from the Tao Te Ching itself ties into the present discussion: "He who speaks does not know, and he who knows does not speak." A beautiful thing about the book is that it's content can be, and has been, interpreted in numerous ways.

To interpret the above quote further, you have to wonder how many people who speak really know (about anything). I've certainly met my fair share of people in the world who have tried to tell me "how it is." Whether the topic under discussion is politics or religion or ethics, they know about it. (One of the people who falls into this category is a former boss of mine, unfortunately). Is wisdom the ability to dazzle others with how much you supposedly know, or is it something deeper? Whatever the case, the silence Lau-Tzu recommends seems to be a far cry from the current understanding of wisdom in America.

Lau-Tzu and the Tao Te Ching

By many accounts, Lau-Tzu developed his philosophy in a time of political turmoil. As we will see, many philosophers develop their positions in response to the world they are born into. Sometimes understanding their world helps us to understand their philosophical position. This is especially significant in contrast to the Western philosophers who ask things like, "What is truth?" Eastern philosophers, seeing war among their people, instead asked, “What is the way?” The Asian sages were often concerned with both a philosophy and how that philosophy could be actualized in their society.

In the Tao Te Ching, Lau-Tzu uses short sayings and poetry to express several ideas, one of them being that of the Tao, or the way. One of the primary teachings of the Tao Te Ching—and, as Soccio points out, as we read in the first line—is that the Tao cannot be expressed in words. The Tao is something greater. Words can help us understand it, but the Tao goes beyond.

Lau-Tzu is expressing a truth here that later philosophers also struggled with: the problem of language. Language cannot fully represent the world. On the other hand, the Tao is still behind everything; it underlies the very words that tell us it is greater than words. In this sense, language is useful because it can lead us in the right direction. But whatever word you use to represent the Tao will not be the actual Tao. This is expressed in the first line of the Tao Te Ching: "The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao."

The limitations of language were explored in depth in the West during the early 20th century by a school of philosophers sometimes referred to as "Logical Positivists." The group is also sometimes called "The Vienna Circle." Some of these philosophers went so far as to say that any term which does not refer to some empirical thing is meaningless. They tried to do away with metaphysics. For example, they said that terms like "soul" or "God" refer to nothing physical so they are therefore meaningless.

The most famous member of the Vienna Circle, Ludwig Wittgenstein, believed that language is limiting, but that the unknown or the "beyond" shows itself through language. In other words, Wittgenstein and Lau-Tzu seem to have something in common. For the Tao Te Ching tells us that language is a guide, but that the Tao goes beyond language. Wittgenstein seems to be saying something similar. (By the way, we will not be studying Wittgenstein in detail, but if anyone is interested there is a chapter devoted to his philosophy in the textbook.)

Yin/Yang and Inaction (Wu Wei)

Lau-Tzu based his actions on the two opposing forces: yin and yang (as described in more detail in the textbook). Since people of his time were fighting for control (yang), Lau-Tzu proposed the opposite (yin), or the way of inaction (we wei). Contrary to what it seems, this doesn’t mean literally doing nothing! It means that, rather than attempt to gain direct control over our environment, we should take subtle indirect actions.

So, for example, if some teenagers leave beer cans on the beach, we shouldn’t lecture them, we should simply pick up the beer cans and put them in a recycling bin. This certainly does sound crazy, and there have been numerous objections to this philosophy throughout the years. Would inaction have worked against Hitler? Then again, consider the verbal disputes between the political left and the right in our own nation. This is what Lau-Tzu was responding to: two opposing forces bickering with each other. Could the way of inaction help?

It can almost be thought of as a correction mechanism. If there is too much yang, the yin will come back in and balance things out. And if there's too much yin, then more yang will be needed for balance. Why should we try so hard to achieve one outcome or another? Lau-Tzu wondered. The universe will correct itself, so we should just follow the path of wu wei. Consider the power and the glory of one of the longest enduring empires in human history: Rome. Rome fell eventually.

Or consider wu wei on a less grand scale. Consider wu wei in conversation. When a conversation gets heated (too much yang), what is the best solution? Sometimes it's best just to shut up, to stop talking. Step back and re-assess the situation. You can't always change the other person's mind and to continue talking is to add too much fuel to the fire. Military leaders often have an understanding of inaction. You have to know the right times to fight, and the right times to not act at all.

What is it in the Star Wars movies that is behind everything? The Force, right? There is no question that George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, was influenced by Eastern thinking. Still, is it right to compare the Force to the Tao? If anyone is interested, there is a book called Star Wars and Philosopy.

Manichaeism is the belief, originating in ancient Persia, that God and the Devil are in a constant battle, the balance of which must be maintained. Manichaeism had a big effect on early Christian thinkers, including St. Augustine. As a result, the relationship between "good" and "evil" has been ingrained into Christian thought. This is part of the reason why you often hear people say that "Good cannot exist without evil." From the Manichaeist perspective this is true: both create a balance. Do you see any similarities between Manichaeism and the yin/yang situation?