Analysis of Tao Te Ching: Values and Action, PHIL2035, York University

This essay delves into the philosophical views of Tao Te Ching, focusing on his perspectives on values, the problem of overthinking as articulated by Lao Tzu, and the relationship between passivity and determined action within the context of Asian philosophy. It critically evaluates Tao's emphasis on the value of emptiness, illustrating how emptiness or 'non-being' contributes to the usefulness and value of objects like pots and houses. The essay further explores Lao Tzu's teachings on overcoming anxiety through peaceful living and the adoption of four cardinal values: reverence for life, natural sincerity, supportiveness, and gentleness. It also examines the concept of Wu Wei, highlighting that non-action is not synonymous with passivity but rather an active process of being aware and acting appropriately. The essay concludes by underscoring the significance of these teachings in understanding Chinese and Asian philosophy, emphasizing the importance of balancing action with awareness and avoiding the pitfalls of overthinking.

Running head: ASIAN PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
Asian Philosophical Studies
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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.

3ASIAN PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES
should always be gentle and supportive to every other individual. Kindness, affection and
gentleness can be used to get rid of over-thinking. If people stop to over think, they will surely
attain peace in their lives and gain superior wisdom.4
This segment will discuss about the relationship between determined action and full
passivity. The concept of Wu Wei has to be considered in this scenario. One has to understand
here that Wu Wei is not about staying passive.5 Therefore, passivity and non-action are not the
same things. Chinese philosophers have believed that it is non-action is not about passivity of
people. On the contrary it is a very active process. He believed that life is in the middle section
between acting and non acting. Therefore, people tend to be much active and being aware of
what is happening. However, determined action means to presume things that might take place.
This is again some sort of similar to over thinking.6 So, it is obviously better to be aware about
all the things that are happening and act as per the situation.
In the concluding section it must be said that teachings of Lao Tzu and Tao Te Ching are
very crucial to understand the Chinese philosophy and Asian philosophy at large. The Chinese
philosophers have displayed cultural issues and values in different ways. Thus Chinese
philosophers have highlighted several important things on over thinking of people causing
4 Heider, John. The Tao of leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao te ching adapted for a new age. Green Dragon Books, 2014.
5 Chang, Chung-yuan. Tao-A New Way of Thinking: A Translation of the Tao Tê Ching with an Introduction and
Commentaries. Singing Dragon, 2013.
6 Hinton, David. Tao Te Ching. Counterpoint, 2015.

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anxiety. The connection between passivity and determined action has been discussed. It has been
found that passivity is indeed better than determined action. People should not tend to think
about anything before it actually takes place in real life. The values of Tao Te Ching have been
discussed along with four cardinal values of Lao Tzu.

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Reference List
Chan, Wing-tsit. The Way of Lao Tzu. Ravenio Books, 2015.
Chang, Chung-yuan. Tao-A New Way of Thinking: A Translation of the Tao Tê Ching with an
Introduction and Commentaries. Singing Dragon, 2013.
Heider, John. The Tao of leadership: Lao Tzu's Tao te ching adapted for a new age. Green
Dragon Books, 2014.
Hinton, David. Tao Te Ching. Counterpoint, 2015.
Mair, Victor H., and Lao Tzu. Tao te ching: The classic book of integrity and the way. Bantam,
2012.
Tzu, Lao. Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching: A Book about the Way and the Power of the Way. CDED,
2018.
Tzu, Lao. Tao Te Ching: An All-new Translation. Shambhala Publications, 2012.
Tzu, Lao. Tao te ching: The ancient classic. Vol. 10. John Wiley & Sons, 2012.