Life and Death Wisdom: A Study of Taoist Views on Life: A Study of Taoist Views on Life

Author: Li Xia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Daoist philosophy is essentially a philosophy of life, with its theoretical core being the concept of life. The author of this book conducts a research on the causes of Daoist life views from three aspects: theoretical origins, cultural background, and realistic roots. From three stages—life and nature, life and society, and life and freedom—the author reveals the thematic evolution process of Daoist life views from Lao-Zhuang to Huang-Lao to Xuanxue. The author analyzes the three major ideological characteristics of Daoist life views: life-centeredness, concern for nature, and transcendental intention. The author focuses on examining the basic connotations of Daoist life views, including the life origin view of "Dao gives birth to virtue," the life mechanism view of "yin-yang and qi transformation," the life structure view of "body and spirit interdependence," the life process view of "birth and death alternation," the life value view of "valuing humanity and cherishing life," the life essence view of "natural simplicity and purity," the life existence view of "non-action as action," the life cultivation view of "cultivating body and spirit together," and the life realm view of "transcending body and mind." Based on a systematic examination of the logical development process and specific ideological content of Daoist life views, the author analyzes the gains and losses, historical impact, and modern value of Daoist life views with a dialectical attitude, advocating for a rational rejection and affirmation of Daoist life views under new historical conditions.