Taoism and Western Society

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the appeal of Taoism to non-Chinese and explains the origins as a contrasting philosophy to Confucianism. Reference is made to several fine sources from the East-West Centre, as well as the more popular 'New Age' Taoism. The paper draws examples from every day life, explaining the how the approach of Taoism differs from that of other Chinese traditions.

From the Paper:

"Taoism is a Chinese philosophical system that, like many Eastern traditions, has tended to be taken up by Westerners, in partial form. Like many artistic or philosophical or political traditions, Taoism can be seen as a kind of reaction to Confucianism. If we see Taoism in its influence on the individual in personal alignment with cosmos, as opposed to in line with an established secular order, it is possible to speak of Taoism as a kind of Chinese Protestant movement, except that Taoism rejects all gods as human creations. "

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