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

Author: Li Xia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-05
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 origins of Daoist life philosophy 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 philosophy from Laozi and Zhuangzi to Huanglao and then to Xuanxue. The author analyzes the three major ideological characteristics of Daoist life philosophy: a life-centered perspective, a concern for nature, and a transcendent intention. The author focuses on examining the basic connotations of Daoist life philosophy, 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 "form 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," the life existence view of "non-action as action," the life cultivation view of "nourishing both form and spirit," 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 philosophy, the author analyzes the gains and losses, historical impact, and modern value of Daoist life philosophy with a dialectical approach, advocating for a rational rejection and affirmation of Daoist life philosophy under new historical conditions.