Taoist Philosophy Research Articles

TRANSDISCIPLINARITY THEORY THROUGH PLATO PHILOSOPHY, TAOISM, ALCHEMICAL TRADITION AND JUNGIAN PSYCHOLOGY

Transdisciplinary is a paradigm based on the integration and balance of opposite points of view (dualities). This paper methodology involves transdisciplinarity applied to problem solutions, mainly from 1) Plato philosophy; 2) Taoist principle of duality Yin Yang, 3) Jungian psychology, so connected to modern physics and 4) Weil, Leloup and Crema psychological vision of holistic transdisciplinarity. Our findings in this regard involves Figure 11 for Jungian functions and Figure 12 model for problem solving through duality plus four elements. The objective is to create a comprehensive understanding of reality through Plato and Taoist philosophies, Alchemical tradition and Jungian psychology improved by the MBTI system, as tools for problem solving. Understanding the psychological types types to comprehend on how to achieve the best of each one, due to their innate strengths and capacities, so that a synergy of results can be created within the relationships. The MBTI serves both i) for self-knowledge, to make his own self-management on a day-to-day life, and ii) to understand how other people work psychologically, so that a synergy can be created in the process of relationships. The applied transdisciplinary approach is based on the principles of i) duality – interaction and integration of opposites, specially the analytical and synthetic methods and ii) four elements - rationality, feasibility, reasonableness and meaning. However, it is not a simplistic or a magical-vitalistic approach as it may seem to rationalists at first, as far as modern physics is concerned. The holistic view of reality, including holology (the study of the whole) and holopraxis (the praxis of the whole) can´t be confused with political ideology, something that happens very frequently to scientificists, who consider themselves "exempt" and “impartial”. Finally, the core idea is to promote transformation of the culture and personal behavior, connected to reasonableness and meaning, emotional and intuitive intelligences, mainly because of psychological sustainability and mental health.

Applied Transdisciplinarity through Plato Philosophy, Taoism, Alchemical Tradition and Jungian Psychology

Transdisciplinary is a paradigm based on the integration and balance of opposite points of view (dualities). This paper methodology involves transdisciplinarity applied to problem solutions, mainly from 1) Plato philosophy; 2) Taoist principle of duality Yin Yang, 3) Jungian psychology, so connected to modern physics and 4) Weil, Leloup and Crema psychological vision of holistic transdisciplinarity. Our findings in this regard involves Figure 11 for Jungian functions and Figure 12 model for problem solving through duality plus four elements. The objective is to create a comprehensive understanding of reality through Plato and Taoist philosophies, Alchemical tradition and Jungian psychology improved by the MBTI system, as tools for problem solving. Understanding the psychological types to comprehend on how to achieve the best of each one, due to their innate strengths and capacities, so that a synergy of results can be created within the relationships. The MBTI serves both i) for self-knowledge, self-management on a day-to-day life, and ii) to understand how other people work psychologically, so that a synergy can be created in the process of relationships. The applied transdisciplinary approach is based on the principles of i) duality – interaction and integration of opposites, specially the analytical and synthetic methods, and ii) four elements - rationality, feasibility, reasonableness, and meaning. However, it is not a simplistic or a magical-vitalistic approach as it may seem to rationalists at first, as far as modern physics is concerned. The holistic view of reality, including holology (the study of the whole) and holopraxis (the praxis of the whole) can´t be confused with political ideology, something that happens very frequently to scientificists, who consider themselves "exempt" and “impartial”. Finally, the core idea is to promote transformation of the culture and personal behavior, connected to reasonableness and meaning, emotional and intuitive intelligences, mainly because of psychological sustainability and mental health.

Taoist Philosophy in Chinese Science Fiction: A Comparison between Zhuangzi and Broken Stars

Chinese science fiction has been attaining global visibility since Liu Cixin’s trilogy entitled Remembrance of Earth’s Past. The trilogy’s English translator Liu Yukun has edited and rendered a science-fiction anthology that comprises sixteen novellas composed by fourteen Chinese novelists. Apart from a fecundity of imagination and richness of imagery-evoking depictions, narratives compiled in the anthology also epitomise Taoist philosophy conveyed in Zhuangzi, a Warring States (475-221 BC) treatise ascribed to an illustrious philosopher Zhuangzi. Philosophical constructs in the anthology can be exemplified by quintessential construals such as ‘non-action’, ‘resting in destiny’ and ‘self-so’, as well as mindset appertaining to temporal and aesthetic issues.

Taoist Culture Design: The Development of the Design Ideas

The cultural development of “Tao” and “Qi” has lasted for thousands of years. The theory of “Tao” began with Laozi and Zhuangzi. Through “The Book of Changes · Xici,” it is developed as “the metaphysical is the Tao, and the figurative is the Qi [1]”. “Tao” and “Qi” are interdependent as philosophical concepts. It first guided the philosophy of Taoism, Confucianism and other scholars in the pre-Qin period, and then promoted the development of national system in Xia, Shang and Zhou Dynasty, which gave birth to the aesthetic system of the ancient imperial court. With the development of modern design ideas, the design ideas of “Tao” and “Qi” are integrated. After thousands of years of civilization development and technological changes, today’s ideas of “Tao” and “Qi” are booming, and have in-depth exchanges and integration with foreign cultures.

儒家為什麼反對超人類主義？

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract also in English.
 The concept of human enhancement is a key to understanding transhumanism. According to Confucian ethics, the supervision of human enhancement technology is vital because we are facing the reasonable expectation of achieving “the unity of heaven and man.” (The idea of harmony between man and nature is not exclusive to Confucianism; it can be found in other schools of thought in the pre-Qin dynasty period, especially the philosophy of Taoism. However, the idea is uniquely expressed and developed in Confucianism.) Furthermore, human enhancement makes people unable to “settle in their place.” Therefore, Confucianism cannot accept it.

CO-EVOLUTION OF HIGH TECHNOLOGIES AND ARCHITECTONICS OF SOCIETY: TO THE BACKGROUND OF THE PARADIGM

The article deals with a number of cultural and historical forms of implementation of the principle of coevolution of technologies and the semantic organization of society. Using Plato's cosmogony as an example, the use of numerical symbolism as a matrix of the divine creation of the world and the human soul is analyzed. The article analyzes the difference between technologies introduced by ancient Greek philosophers and the philosophy of Taoism in China, based on: 1) on the cultivation of natural processes, and 2) on giving the material substrate any arbitrary shapes. The role of this difference in the endowment of ethical characteristics and power functions of key mythological characters is shown. Using the example of the mythological symbolization of metallurgy and blacksmithing, the features of the archaic perception of complex technological processes are analyzed. On the example of the architectural design of the "Panopticon" by I. Bentham, one of the first social technologies and its role in the transformation of the concept of power and the ways of its implementation is considered. Various forms of realization of the idea of the panopticon with the help of digital information and communication technologies are analyzed.

Bodily Contemplation: On the Question of the Truth of the Perception of Physical Objects in Chinese Landscape Painting

This article analyzes the views of representatives of the scientific community on ancient Chinese landscape painting, emphasis is mainly placed on views that concern the spiritual qualities of landscape painting, as well as rethinking concepts that ignore the significance of sensual perception. Landscape painting is usually considered as a spiritual work of Taoism: landscape painting developed from Taoist thought, Taoist philosophy determined the identity of the artistic style and the inherent spirit of landscape painting. Moreover, some researchers even believe that bodily contemplation of landscape painting means setting the very original nature of mountains and waters, and the "knowledge of the truth" is a spiritual process that is more blocked by the human capacity for sensual perception. Some of the scientists completely deny the possibility and truth of sensual perception of physical objects in landscape painting. The author of this article believes that the spiritual component of landscape painting lurks precisely in the value of sensual perception, and bodily contemplation of mountains and waters is impossible without the participation of the body, clear confirmation of which we find in the ancient Chinese theory of arts. Ancient Chinese works of art traditionally had a close connection with sensual perception through bodily contemplation. This process is not simply about capturing object information, but when the subject takes an active part in the vision of the object, when the subject gives feedback to the object, and through acquiring the object its meaning is transmitted. Only through bodily contemplation, the individual can fully feel the artistic value of landscape painting, and Taoist philosophy thus gains a real existence in landscape painting, becoming a kind of emotional thinking.

Toward post-2020 global biodiversity conservation: Footprint and direction in China

Toward post-2020 global biodiversity conservation: Footprint and direction in China

Taoism, bioethics, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The stress that the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on health systems internationally has forced difficult decisions concerning the rationing of medical care and has put the bioethical structures that inform those choices under scrutiny. Often, ethical approaches to pandemic circumstances center around utilitarianism, dehumanizing the treatment process and ignoring the plurality of other philosophical doctrines that inform non-Western bioethics, which could be of use in addressing the pandemic. This paper focuses on philosophical Taoism, as developed in the Tao Te Ching and Zhuangzi, in order to suggest an alternative approach to medical care when medical capacity is limited, grounded in the concept of wu-wei, or inaction.

The Art of Actualization

Two personality psychologists, Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, used the concept of self-actualization in their theories of personal growth (Schultz & Schultz, 2019). Rogers believed all people have an actualization tendency, a desire to seek higher forms of cognitive complexity (Kim, 2018). Similar viewpoints may be found in the ancient philosophy of Taoism as well as the writings of Plato (Lin, 2011; Bloom, 1968). Also in line with Roger’s theory are the findings that the brain naturally seeks perceptual unity (Griffith & Davidson, 1966; Hunt & Schooler, 2019). Brain areas like the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the default mode network are tied to levels of self actualization (Forrest, 2001; Yangmei et al., 2017). Maslow believed self actualized people have peak experiences such as moments of deep connection with the universe (Yaden et al., 2017). Lowering one’s latent inhibition may be a way to increase the frequency of peak experiences (Carson, Higgens, & Peterson, 2003).

A Taoist Interpretation of Dragons’ Feminine Power and Genderless Nature in the Earthsea Cycle

ABSTRACT Drawing upon the Taoist philosophies related to Yin and harmonious dialectics, this article intends to provide an innovative perspective on the interpretation of The Earthsea Cycle and feminism. The magnificent Earthsea world functions in unity and harmony due to the Taoist idea of Yin that endows the dragons and dragon people with the generating power. Without femininity or Yin, Le Guin’s Earthsea world would have found itself in complete chaos, disorder and dilapidation. Through the Taoist lens, we shed invaluable light on how the Eastern Asian philosophy helps construct the fantastic Earthsea world in Western literature.

Eastern and Western creativity of tradition

ABSTRACT Western creativity is usually entrusted to the human imagination, regarded as a mental power capable of envisioning eternally original artefacts, while in the East creativity is entrusted to nature-in-the human, what Taoist philosophy calls qi, a spiritual power capable of reflecting the passing changes of nature in paintings, poems, and other forms of art. It is the intention of this paper to explore and elucidate these differences between the Western and Eastern conceptualizations of creativity, ending with a suggestion of one feature they may have in common.

A Taoist Study of Magic in The Earthsea Cycle

The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula. K. Le Guin is a fantasy work in Western literature that shines with ostentatiously idiosyncratic sparks of Taoist philosophies. Resorting to Taoism (also translated as Daoism) and its representative work Tao Te Ching, this article aims at exploring the Earthsea magic, a ubiquitous motif in fantasy, with Taoist thoughts and theories including the law of relativity, harmonious dialectics, and equilibrium. This article reconstructs the magical Earthsea world within a Taoist framework and reveals the Taoist connotations of magic. Finally, this article concludes that, radically distinct from its traditional image, magic in Earthsea serves to heal the physical, mental, and spiritual wound of separation; set up harmony of the opposites in binaries; and preserve the delicate equilibrium insusceptible to the ravages of time. Magic in The Earthsea Cycle works miracles in a Taoist manner.

Mental Health During COVID-19: Tam Giao and Vietnam's Response.

COVID-19 is a novel infectious disease and global health crisis with major psychological implications. Of particular focus are the effects it will have on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as being under-resourced poses many challenges. Vietnam, a country with an estimated population of 97.33 million people, which until 30 July, 2020, had 459 confirmed COVID-19 cases with no fatalities but as of November 4th had 35 deaths, can be viewed as a model LMIC for other countries struggling with COVID-19. Employing key tactics such as transparency and effective communication, Vietnam was able to foster strong cooperation between government and citizens, contributing to its success during COVID-19. Moreover, Vietnamese resilience, attributable, in part, to “tam giao,” a coexistence of religious and philosophical Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism through cultural additivity, provides a unique mindset that other countries can learn from to adapt and even build psychological resilience against COVID-19 pandemic's psychological outcomes. We suggest countries prioritize transparency and communication to mitigate stigmatization and psychological distress that can result from quarantine and other interventions while promoting resources that provide accurate scientific information and psychological aid to citizens. We believe that Tam giao could be repurposed to relieve inevitable contradictions between values and lifestyles in the context of this devastating global health crisis.

Landscapes and Taoism in Ezra Pound’s Cantos

The paper seeks to discuss the Taoist elements in the evocation of Chinese landscapes in Pound’s Cantos 4 and 49. Canto 4’s Peach Blossom Poetics is believed to be the first under the Tianyuan of Chinese landscape poetry initiated by Tao Yuanming (365–427). This type of poetry shows the pastoral, tranquil life of natural beauty. The settings are domestic and localized, most being backyards, small rivers, huts or countryside. The images in Tianyuan poetry are serene and peaceful with no impositions of the human. They tend to explicitly focus on the scene itself rather than on the viewers or any human elements. On the other hand, Canto 49’s Seven Lakes represents the Shanshui poetry that originated from the works of Xie Linyun(385–433). This type of work displays adventurous treks through beautiful and untamed mountainous regions. In spite of their seemingly different settings, the essence of the two styles is the same. The two cantos elucidate the Taoist philosophy of “non-action,” which follows the effortless and spontaneous movement of nature. These two landscapes represent the glimpses of the tranquil, temporary paradiso that Pound has been attempting to reach throughout his poetic career.

Символи і метафори квітів у китайській камерно-вокальній музиці ХХ ст.

Research objective. The aim of the work is to reveal the specifics of images of nature in Chinese chamber and vocal art on the example of symbolic meanings in the musical and poetic interpretation of colors. The research methodology is based on analytical and comparative-historical methods. The scientific novelty is to substantiate the peculiarities of reading “floral” images in connection with the philosophical and aesthetic principles of Chinese cultures. Spiritual traditions in Chinese art provide a different interpretation of artistic symbols and images than in the European aesthetic worldview. According to the Taoist philosophy, man can achieve perfection only when he understands the beauty of nature and strives for unity with it. Therefore, elements of nature, such as flowers, trees, animals, birds, receive in national folklore and professional poetry and music a variety of symbolic meanings. Therefore, it seems appropriate and relevant to outline the peculiarities of the interpretation of signa naturae – signs of nature – on selected specific examples: Hee Fang’s Jasmine, Zhao Xinda’s Epiphyllum to Ji Tong, Xu Peidong’s Blooming Plum Blossom to Han Jinting, and Liu Hong’s Moonflower Flower to Qu Zong’s Poetry. Conclusions. The interpretation of the symbols of flowers in the contemporary chamber and vocal works of Chinese composers indicates several complementary processes. The interaction of the specific traditional basis and influential elements of European compositional technique, noticeable mainly in the interpretation of the piano part, is noticeable. Piano accompaniment is not limited to a simple accompaniment of vocal melody, but is often an independent and equivalent to the part of the soloist component of artistic expression. At the same time, all the analyzed songs preserve the ancient national traditions that have shaped the musical and poetic art of China for thousands of years. Hence the ambiguity of contemporary artists reading the symbols of nature, the appeal to the deep meanings embedded in the images of flowers in the national philosophical and poetic heritage.

Influence of China's philosophical views on the country's musical culture

The purpose of the article is to study the problem of the influence of philosophical views and traditions on the musical culture of China. The methodology of the study is to use historical and biographical methods in the study of this topic. The scientific novelty of the article is to study the feasibility of the problem of philosophical views of China, based on the country's musical traditions. The historical names of the philosophers who influenced the development of the musical arts and education system, which affected the cultural traditions of China, were singled out. Conclusions. Based on the study of the problem of philosophical views of China's worldview system, the country's development processes and distinctive culture were identified. The problem of studying the philosophical system of ancient China as the basis for the emergence of the musical tradition has interested many scholars, among whom are: L.S. Vasilyeva [1], Yu.M. Gradova [2], Hou Jiang [8], D.T. Suzuki [7] and others. Because it influenced the cultural life of the countries of the East. This question highlighted the philosophical trends that underpin China's traditions. Namely, philosophical traditions influenced the country's musical art. Thus, China's cultural traditions were based on ancient Chinese philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Special attention has been paid to the issues of education and music in China. A person must be ethically educated, endowed with spirituality, and truth. Music education played an important role in the culture of China because it was a carrier of the culture of the ancient Chinese. Numerical concepts played their magic role. According to the philosophy of Taoism, music should promote the emotional state of man and the harmonious connection with nature. Confucius emphasizes the comprehensive development of humans while emphasizing the morality of the individual. This is clearly reflected in his works: Shijing (Song Book), Shu Jing (History Book), Lun Yui (Conversations and Speeches). In the third and sixth centuries, China's musical culture was influenced by philosophical tendencies based on the Lao-Buddhist vision. Music played the role of expressing the essence of being. So, in the sixth century, a piece of music appeared for the musical instrument "Price" by composer Qiu Min "Yulanpu" or "Lone Orchid".The worldview system of ancient China became the basis for the emergence of musical traditions in the countries of the East. This problem is of interest to scientists and necessitates further development in the study of this issue.

O pensamento Taoista e o olhar de Alberto Caeiro – Entre a filosofia Taoista clássica Chinesa e as ideias de Alberto Caeiro

O presente artigo tem como principal objetivo comentar e analisar comparativamente duas obras literárias: a obra poética de Alberto Caeiro, heterónimo do ilustre poeta português Fernando Pessoa, e a obra clássica chinesa Dao De Jing(道德经，Dào dé jīng) que está na base da Filosofia Taoista. Deste modo, pretende-se comparar as ideias interpretadas em ambas as obras, analisando semelhanças e diferenças, de forma a compreender as mesmas e as razões por detrás de tais similaridades e afastamentos. Para tal, ter-se-á sempre em conta diferenças culturais, não só provenientes do facto de as obras se encontrarem em países muito díspares e longínquos fisicamente, como também do facto de se localizarem em épocas temporalmente muito distantes.

The Opposites and Unity: A Study of Chinese Taoist Thought Found in Hermann Hesse’s The Glass Bead Game

Abstract Hermann Hesse was keenly aware of the spiritual and social crises of war-torn Europe. He explored possible solutions to these problems in his writing and was interested in drawing on the resources of oriental philosophies. Of particular importance was the thought of Chinese Taoism. Hesse frequently mentioned his understanding of the Taoist philosophies of Laozi (老子) and Zhuangzi (庄子) in letters to his friends, and Taoist ideas such as ‘Tao’ (道) or ‘One’ and ‘polar opposites and unity’ recur across his work. This article will trace Hesse’s understanding of the Taoist thought of Laozi and Zhuangzi, and analyse the influence of Chinese Taoism on Hesse’s masterpiece, The Glass Bead Game (1943).

The Mindful Way of Falun Gong for graceful and positive aging

ABSTRACT The promotion of mind-body and spiritual health for graceful and positive aging has undergone cultural changes and requires on-going considerations. People from diverse cultures are exploring options, looking to Eastern mind-body, spiritual practices for creative health-wellness solutions. Falun Gong, an ancient Chinese practice, based on Buddhist and Taoist philosophies, offers a viable alternative. The values of Falun Gong, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, are qualities recognized by all spiritual traditions and can be embraced by older people from all walks of life. This paper introduces and provides knowledge about Falun Gong, and outlines how the mindful way is beneficial for graceful aging.