Questions tagged [chinese-philosophy]
34 questions
8
votes
6 answers
“We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.”- Lao Tzu.What does this mean?
We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds
whatever we want. (Daodejing 11)
What does this mean?
Why does the emptiness hold the things we want?
Tom
- 221
- 1
- 3
- 5
8
votes
4 answers
Interpretation of a line in the Zhuangzi 4.7
In the Zhuangzi, how can we interpret the end of 4.7 part?
...夫支離其形者，猶足以養其身，終其天年，又況支離其德者乎！
"With a crippled body, he's still able to look after himself and finish out the years Heaven gave him. How much better, then, if he had crippled virtue!"…
Rodrigo
- 1,460
- 14
- 26
5
votes
5 answers
Chinese Philosophy: the yin aspects of the sun
In Chinese philosophy, it is taught that every entity has yin and yang. The sun is traditionally thought of as being very strongly biased towards yang (from the perspective of the balance we perceive).
It is easy to find wordings describing the…
Cort Ammon
- 17,775
- 23
- 59
5
votes
4 answers
Is Tao a God? Or is it a God only in the Dao Jiao?
I'm asking it here because I'd like to know the philosophical point of view on this question.
I've read that branches that exist are Dao Jia (philosophical Taoism) and Dao Jiao (religious Taoism) and I have more interest in the Dao Jia.
I'm…
feelthhis
- 173
- 1
- 7
3
votes
0 answers
How did classical Chinese philosophers practice philosophy?
Practicing Philosophy minimally requires thinking but how did classical Chinese philosophers practice philosophy ? In what way does their practice ressembles and comes appart from that of other philosophical traditions such as the Indian tradition…
Simon Siyu
- 39
- 2
3
votes
2 answers
Anti-language in ancient Chinese philosophy?
What does anti-language mean in the context of ancient Chinese philosophy, specifically when concerning the Dao (Mencius and Laozi)?
Does it refer to the position that the Dao cannot be properly described using language?
Context: Chad Hansen,…
Cheng
- 143
- 5
2
votes
1 answer
Meaning of "upgrading" in quote by Confucius?
I am fond of this quote by Confucius, except that I cannot quite understand the term "upgrading" in the last sentence:
Listen widely to remove your doubts and be careful when speaking about
the rest and your mistakes will be few. See much and get…
Drux
- 1,664
- 1
- 13
- 26
1
vote
2 answers
How is Yin-Yang theorised in Chinese Philosophy?
The symbol of Yin-Yang is strangely reminiscent of Empedocles theory of forces as pairs of contraries; that are dynamic; of generation and corruption.
In Economics, one might posit two forces; competition versus cooperation; in classical economics…
Mozibur Ullah
- 47,073
- 14
- 93
- 243
0
votes
1 answer
Could you explain “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be” (attributed to Laozi)?
Could you analyse this quote:
When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
– Lao Tzu. (Source)
Tom
- 221
- 1
- 3
- 5