Views of Values by Tao Te Ching and Lao Tzu

Running head: ASIAN PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
Asian Philosophical Studies
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1ASIAN PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
The purpose of the following essay is to evaluate the views of values by Tao Te Ching.
He was one of the greatest philosophers of classic Chinese philosophy. His views on values are
important to have an understanding about Chinese philosophy. The views of another philosopher
Lao Tzu will on the connection between over-thinking and problems will be discussed in this
essay. The underlying relationship between passivity and determined action is one of the most
crucial factors of understanding classic Asian philosophy. These philosophers have contributed
largely to the development of philosophy in contemporary China and entire Asia.
Tao Te Ching has described his opinion about the value of emptiness in certain terms. In
being critical it can be said that Tao believed that emptiness has a deep value in the course of
existence only.1 Individuals give value to those things which they can feel or touch. When a
person touches a pot by valuing it, he or she values the craftsmanship of the maker, its shape or
elements by which that pot is made of. If the pot is empty one might think that there is nothing
valuable in it. Still they use the empty pot to fill it with water or other elements. If this empty pot
was of no value, nobody would have used it. Its value lies in its on-being or its existence. The
thought that it can be used for some purpose is itself is its value indeed. This emptiness of that
pot can neither be touched nor be felt. Therefore, it is the only thing that matters (on-being).
Value can be given to a thing only when it is empty and worth of some use. In the same way,
Tao Te Ching has given his stance that money is very useful or valuable since things can be
bought by it. It is not worth of value for its paper. Therefore, an element with non-being does not
possess any value indeed. Likewise, a big house is not worth of value because of its brick, rods,
pillars and walls. It is only crucially valuable because of its empty space where human beings
1 Mair, Victor H., and Lao Tzu. Tao te ching: The classic book of integrity and the way. Bantam, 2012.

2ASIAN PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
can live in. Another aspect of value by Tao is to recall events by connecting with great truth.
Tao has also advised his followers to be creative on every aspect of life and live life with
practical wisdom.2
Lao Tzu has described about problems being cause by over thinking. To many it has been
a serious issue because they just go on to think all imaginary things in their minds even if does
not happen. They begin to scare themselves and the only outcome for this is anxiety. In this
context, Lao Tzu has advised to live life in a peaceful manner. Lao Tzu or ‘old master’ believed
that his teachings would lead would lead human beings to higher level of wisdom and great
happiness. He was of the opinion that happiness and wisdom are the things that should be main
motives for all human beings. Four cardinal values of Lao Tzu are most valuable to see the life in
new ways. On the contrary, some critics have said that human beings can attain peace by means
of truth and mental peace. Lao Tzu believes that all individuals should always go with the flow
only. This would lead them to mental peace and satisfaction. In this manner, they can achieve
greatness and get over all anxieties in lives.3 It is understandable that all individuals have great
serious thoughts in their minds but they should not think about it too much just live peacefully.
They should always believe in their potentials and know they can overcome their difficulties at
ease. Attainment of peace is believed as the only purpose of think and people should not suffer
from anxiety as this degrades their morality. The four cardinal values of Lao Tzu are reverence
for all life of human beings, natural sincerity, supportiveness and gentleness. Human beings
2 Mair, Victor H., and Lao Tzu. Tao te ching: The classic book of integrity and the way. Bantam, 2012.
3 Tzu, Lao. Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book about the Way and the Power of the Way. CDED, 2018.