Synthesis Paper 2.B

What is Philosophy as demonstrated in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Lao Tzu as revealed by the assumptions for a solution?

The Philosophy that is demonstrated in Ancient Chinese Philosophy by Lao Tzu as revealed by the assumptions for a solution is going back or exercising the Natural Law. The Natural Law here includes the original flow of things as it is and the inborn quality of man which is without malice.

In understanding the Natural Law, there are three concepts that is needed to be understood also. The three concepts are the Tao, the opposites, and the Te.

Before I discuss the Natural Law, I would first discuss the first basic concept in which the Natural Law is rooted from.The Tao for Lao Tzu is the origin of the universe. It is the beginning of all things and it is where all things end up to. The nature of Tao is that it is formless. It takes no shape and is intangible but it is from it that the universe is formed. The Tao, as it is formless, cannot be perceived by the senses and because of this, it takes no name. It doesn't have a name because the being may be boxed into one context only. The Tao is eternal and it is improper to box into one context which is the concept of naming. It is just called Tao to have a direct reference.

The being of the Tao is partially unknown to man. Partially because their is a claim of its existence. It is said that the Tao is the source of every other being but the physical appearance or the existence of it is still anonymous. Lao Tzu has said that the Tao is formless but it doesn't mean it isn't there. The Tao exists but its identity is undetermined.  The Tao for Lao Tzu is beyond the perception of man. It something greater than man and its power is beyond man’s imagination. Man is a limited being and the Tao doesn't go below his level just for him to know about it. Man is not the measure of Tao but the nature of Tao itself.  Because of man’s limitation, he may perceive the Tao as nothing but the Tao is so much for man that he fails to recognize it.

Another characteristic of the Tao is that it is impartial meaning it takes no sides. It doesn't care about people. It didn't boast itself to man that it is willing to go lower up to man’s perception. The Tao has its own natural way and it does not change itself just to please man.

The Tao is so great that it doesn't fail to accomplish anything. It completes its matters through the process and sometimes, it is left unnoticed. Even though it has achieved many things, the Tao doesn't call attention. What it does are ordinary things and doesn't take credit for it. It does nothing in excess and it is always enough.

The Natural Law is rooted on the Tao because it is the beginning of everything. It created everything.

Now, going back to the Natural Law, it has two ideas, the natural way of things and the natural self. First is the natural way. In this part, the concept of opposites is being discussed.

The emergence of opposites is normal. The world composes opposites but these opposites do not exist to contradict and negate each other. Each of the opposites contains the other as in the case of the yin and the yang. The other takes part in the formation of the other. It cannot be known without the presence of the other. Despite them being opposites, they still share a sense of sameness that makes them. For example, the long and the short share in the essence of length.

The natural way of the opposites is going on a circular direction. It means that the opposites work through reversal. The other opposite precedes to the other like rain precedes sunshine. One thing about the opposites is that it is only opposite to its partner. It is not opposite to other things. Another interpretation of the reversal is that the opposites always goes back to the Tao. It is done this way because all of them are from the Tao. They are one with the Tao. The Tao is the origin of these things and to it everything shall return. It is the natural way of things. Going on a reversal way.

As what I have said, the emergence of the opposites is normal. Despite the opposite-ness of these things, it still managed to be in harmony with one another.  The invitation for man here is to go on to the natural way of things. That it let things happen. In the case of the opposites, the two are not in contrast with each other. One does not negate the other but instead, it complements it thus creating harmony despite their difference. In man’s life, despite the opposite or contradictions, he should be in tune with it. He should not negate it as it would bring worse scenarios. The man should just let things happen.

Second idea is the natural self. In this part, the concept of the Te is being discussed.

Civilization and education makes man break away from the natural order of things. Man creates his own ways like following a rigid, straight path which only keeps moving forward and does not look on to the past. It is also because of civilization and education that man learns on making preferences over the opposites. The emergence of opposites is natural but because of the prejudice and biases, it makes man think to prefer one over the other.

According to Lao Tzu, man is innately good. Good in the sense that he is innocent of the biases and prejudices. This is the natural self: goodness. Because of civilization and education, man forgets his real and natural self. He starts to create a new self that is based on the demands of the society and not of the Tao. The goodness that is innocence without malice is being replaced by the goodness that is in accordance to humanity. The ways of the Tao doesn't care about the virtues of humanity. It has its own virtue.

The challenge for man here is to be able to go back to the Te or virtue of the Tao which is to be good through innocence without malice. It is going back and knowing the self for the self. The mastery of the self leads man to learn the value of contentment thus does not create desires. Having no desires means not having preferences over things. The Taoist Te, is basically concerned about the development of the person for the benefit of his self.

Therefore, Lao Tzu's Philosophy as revealed by the assumptions for a solution is going back or exercising the Natural Law. The Natural Law should be exercised as it is the way of the Tao. Its ways are of going back to the natural way of things, which is be in harmony with each other despite the opposite-ness, and going back to the natural self, which is being good through innocence without malice.