had a long career as the royal historian-librarian-archivist in the Chou capital of Lo-yang,
& (after becoming disillusioned as a result of the increasing decline of the Chou dynasty) left China for Tibet or India late in the 6th (or perhaps early in the 5th) century BC.
Before leaving, however, he recorded his philosophical insights in a short book, the Dao De Jing (also known as the Lao Tzu), which is one of the foundational classics of “Philosophical Daoism.”
A second major primary source of Philosophical Daoism is
The natural order (the universe & all things in it)
Theology - gods & spirits
Anthropology - human nature & the human predicament
Values: Ethics & Political Philosophy
Chi (Ch'i, Qi)
Primordial, arises from the Dao
Vital matter and energy
All things (other than Dao and Chi itself) composed of Chi – the basic "stuff" substance of nature
De (“Duh”)
“denotes a moral power or virtue characteristic of a person who follows the correct course of conduct . . . . [In Daoism], te is the virtue or power that one acquires through being in accord with the tao, what one ‘gets’ from the tao.” (Burton Watson)
The cosmos (universe, nature)
is an ever-changing expression & blend of Yin and Yang, full of the power (De) of the DAO.
The DAO is the highest reality. It is the Ground of Being; but it is not “God” or “a god.” It is the absolutely transcendent and incomprehensible Source of the natural world (the universe). The DAO is beyond sensation, beyond thought, beyond imagination, beyond words, etc. It is knowable only through direct mystical experience or intuition.
Gods, good spirits, and demons exist as expressions of the power (De) of the DAO. These spiritual powers can be accessed and harnessed through various magical rituals.
Philosophical Anthropology - The Daoist perspective on human nature & the human predicament
Humanity is merely one of the “Den Thousand Things” manifested in nature, one animal species among others.
However, human beings (unlike other animals) have the power of free choice. This enables them to act contrary to nature (contrary to the DAO), to become alienated from the “Way.”
The practice of wu-wei (non-ado, effortless action, action without friction & conflict, swimming with the current) -- the simple, natural life.
Go with the flow.
Chill out.
Ethical Doctrines (guidelines for right conduct)
Tune in to De (the power of DAO), & follow the DAO.
Practice wu-wei (non-ado).
Follow the path of least resistance (like water does); practice relaxed action through yielding.
Avoid self-assertion & competition; practice humility & non-combativeness.
Disdain worldly prizes.
“The way to do is to be.”
Other specific ethical principles the same as in Confucianism, but with an individualistic & non-political emphasis.
On the religious side of Daoism,
There is major interest in conserving, increasing, &/or gaining control over De & its vital energy (chi).
There are numerous rituals aimed at the veneration of the gods & good spirits & at placation of & protection from demons.
There are also magical & occult practices (oracles, divination, astrology, mediumism, healing rites, etc.) aimed at gaining control over the powers of nature (De).
Daoist Political Philosophy (an application of wu-wei)
