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Philosphy Tao

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Submitted By timsleee
Words 912
Pages 4
Timothy Lee
12/07/15
Professor Parise
Philosophy 80 – Intro to Religion
Tao
I have chosen the article of Taoism: The Tao Te Ching, and have decided to expand my knowledge in Taoism. The article begins with the introduction of Chinese philosophy, and enters the definition of Confucianism and Taoism. They continue with the definition, and explain that Chinese philosophy was interplayed by these two concepts. The article explains Confucianism is based on will and intuition, while Taoism are more concentrated in instinctiveness and intuition. These are important in Chinese philosophy, because China always questions balance. They give examples in the article by bringing yin and yang, light and dark, heat and cold, etc. The article tells a story about Lao Tzu who quit his occupation, and decided to go west to achieve solitude. He created the book The Tao Te Ching, which had been translated many times to show the importance and genius of the book. Before starting the essay, it is important to understand “Tao,” which is translated in English to way, or a synonym. The book begins with an introduction of The Tao Itself, and it explains to the readers how Tao works in our lives, and the infinite possibility of Tao. The author writes, “The Tao is like a well: used but never used up.” It compares Tao to the well, and no matter how many times it has been used; there would still be resources to use. Showing that Tao can never expire, and it continues by connecting the emptiness of the well is like an eternal void, filled with infinite possibilities. This starts the book in a way, where we can understand Tao’s background, even though the readers may not know the fundamentals of Taoism. After understanding, and noting how infinite Tao is, he explains how we can achieve, and be one with Tao. The basic and simple instructions he gives, is no distraction. The article

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