Applying Taoism To Western Society Essay Research

Using Taoism To Western Society Essay, Research Paper

As a kid of western society, the life that I live is far-removed from the rules of the doctrine of Lao Tzu. Often considered an resistance to Confucianism written around 600 B.C. , the Tao Te Ching ( Book of Tao and Virtue ) by Lao Tzu advocates an individualistic life of simpleness, repose and non-action among other features that explain the undefinable Tao. If transformed into a Taoist society, the universe we live in would hardly be recognizable upon return. In many respects, the facets of life that western society values run wholly opposite to the doctrine of the Tao Te Ching. Synonymous with western thought are words like accomplishment, patterned advance and reason. Rooted in the rational revolution of seventeenth century Europe, we have come to value and stress these qualities in mundane life. Though they are arguably good or bad, possessiveness and selfishness are besides rampant in our society, and I must include myself in such an appraisal. Our civilization is one in which its members invariably strive to achieve every bit much as possible for the intent of improved self-image and fulfilment of desires. We by and large act, work, and execute responsibilities to achieve some wages or effect that is socially applaudable. In add-on, we by and large take great pride in all that we do, and this pride extends to a species-pride in our by and large anthropocentric worldview. This outlook, so evident in even my ain picks and actions, are in direct struggle with the doctrine of the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu. In similar manner to the Baghavad Gita s message of action without fond regard to effect, Taoism advocates non-action or action without endeavoring for wagess. Possibly the best account is that Tao is the manner of nature, or the manner of the celestial spheres. Taoism is concerned with the empyreal forms of nature and harmonising oneself with the class of nature. Therefore, the ideal life for the single involves taking no action that is contrary to the natural order of things. This denotes a life of simpleness, repose, non-possessiveness, humbleness and flexibleness features that would needfully alter the life of the typical western person. Specifically, we seem to presently populate in a society that places a enormous accent on ego and self-esteem. We buy self-help books at an amazing rate. We encourage our kids to hold pride regardless of how good they are executing. Meanwhile, the Tao Te Ching seems to deride such self-pride, alternatively recommending that persons live a life devoid of amour propre. Of the single sages Lao Tzu writes, Not complimenting themselves, they are hence meritable. Not taking pride in themselves, they last long ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 22 ) . Furthermore, while our current civilization seems to learn kids that they are the centre of attending and the anthropocentric worldview keeping that worlds are the most superior species on Earth, the Tao Te Ching once more advocates humbleness by saying, I have three hoarded wealths that I keep and hold: one is mercy, the 2nd is frugalness, the 3rd is non assuming to be a the caput of the universe ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 67 ) . Human existences by and large place themselves at the top of a universe community hierarchy instead than seeing themselves as merely members of the community. We frequently live self-seeking life styles without respect for the possible inaccuracy of such a worldview. The Tao Te Ching holds that those who glorify themselves have no virtue, those who are proud of themselves do non last ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 23 ) . To accept a less proud worldview would hold profound effects on the lives we lead. One interesting consequence of following the Tao Te Ching s contempt for pride and regard for the manner of nature would be a alteration in our intervention of the environment and other non-human life. Currently, the actions of the western universe are declarative of an utmost anthropocentrist doctrine towards nature. Our actions can be most about be described as blazing neglect for the natural universe. The enlargement of the human cement imperium continues to destruct natural home ground while justif

ying such behaviour with the vane impression that worlds are the superior species on Earth and the environment exists to function us. Taoism advocates a laissez faire rule of leting nature to follow its ain class. Therefore, it is no surprise that environmentalists, naturalists, natural nutrient advocators or vegetarians and wildlife defenders are among those who adhere to and site the doctrine of the Tao Te Ching. They are in understanding with quotation marks from the the text such as, The superior individual respects the Earth as her female parent, the celestial spheres as her male parent, and all living things as her brothers and sisters. Further grounds for this regard for nature comes from Chang Tzu, If you want to nurture a bird, you should allow it populate any manner it chooses. Animals differ because they have different likes and disfavors. Taking a laissez faire doctrine from the Tao Te Ching and Chang Tzu and following regard for the unity of the natural universe would needfully take to less development of natural home ground, decreasing of environmental pollution, betterments to the mill agriculture of animate beings, every bit good as a myriad of other ethical considerations which would badly change our lives.

Another permeating facet of western life that is condemned by the Tao Te Ching is possessiveness. Populating in a capitalist society, Americans are familiar with a life dominated by consumerism. Above all, we are consumers in an economic system and a life doctrine concerned with increasing net income. Lao Tzu writes, All existences work, without exclusion: if they live without possessiveness, act without given, and do non brood on success, so by this really nondwelling, success will non go forth ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 2 ) . He farther advocates that we, abandon net income lessen selfishness, and diminish desire ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 19 ) . An application of these rules of simpleness to our current society would be mind-boggling. The Taoist message in this respect, is evocative of transcendental philosophy in American literature. It is an effort to switch accent from external pleasances and ownerships to internal peace. Possibly Henry David Thoreau is a presentation of an American abandoning western values in favour of some of the critical Taoist rules. The consequence was a adult male free from the desire to purchase an expensive house, vesture and other luxuries ; and content to populate the simplest possible life. In many ways, the life of Thoreau appeased many facets of Taoism. He besides lived a life free from responsibility at Walden Pond, in conformity with such statements as, abandon responsibility ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 19 ) and the general contempt for extra activity ( Tao Te Ching, ch. 24 ) expressed by Lao Tzu. Again, an application of these rules to the mean American s life would be lay waste toing. The lifestyle Thoreau lived at Walden Pond is frequently seen as perverse and unproductive to the multitudes. And so, any alteration be givening toward Taoist doctrine of non-consumerism and non-possessiveness would likewise be seen as perverse by the huge bulk of people that I have come in contact with. It would necessitate throwing off the nine-to-five arduous lives that we lead in order to purchase interior decorator apparels and expensive autos. Alternatively, western civilization is be givening farther off from Taoist rules instead than closer to following them. I think that in our society, people tend to non recognize that alternate life styles really exist in the universe. In fact, most of the universe does non populate the manner that we live, and surely wholly but an minute part of human history has non lived the type of lives that we lead. Taoism is in many ways the anti-western doctrine. Two dramatic illustrations of the struggle between Taoist doctrine and the society we live in are in the contempt of Taoism for pride and possessiveness. From these two qualities, it is clear that we derive our anthropocentric worldview and our profit-driven life styles. To implement the Taoist rules of simpleness and humbleness in the lives of westerners would destruct everything that we are accustomed to. However, I m willing to acknowledge that the extremist alterations that would take topographic point might be a good devastation to the quality of our lives.