In the Tao-te Ching, Lao-tzu describes the guidelines for an extremely hand on form of leadership. However, this type of government is not, under any circumstances, feasible in a modern society. Today’s society is based on taking initiative. “Practice not-doing, / and everything will follow into place” (3 14- 15), if we were to relax and let things take their course as Lao-tzu says; we would get steeped on by other nations. Being idle does not achieve great results. Many people will tend to do things that are not morally correct. A leader following Machiavelli’s action-based instructions is guaranteed to have a long-term role in government. Machiavelli has a much more realistic approach when dealing with military matters, people, and being loved or feared. His book, The Prince, provides great instructions for not only the prince, but for leaders everywhere. Machiavelli believes a leader’s mind should never stray from preparing for war. “He must, therefore, never raise his thought from the exercise of war, and in peacetime, he must train himself more than in time of war; this can be done in two ways: one by action, the other by mind” (40), our military leaders use several different means to train out soldiers physically and mentally. Our country uses the military not to bull, but to help other struggling countries. “And even though the next country is so close that people can hear its roosters crowing and its dogs barking,/ they are content to die of old age/ without ever having gone to see it” (80 16-20), Lao-tzu shows selfishness in these words by saying he ignores others and cares only for himself. Following Machiavelli, a country shows selflessness by helping our neighbors and then is looked up on by other countries. As Machiavelli suggests, out military is always well disciplined and ready for war. The duties of a prince and the duties of the leaders in the military do not have many differences, and the information Machiavelli shares of the prince’s military matters is proven beneficial to our leaders today. Lao-tzu and Machiavelli have completely different views when dealing with people. Lao-tzu says, “Trust them; and leave them alone” (75 6), following this would make people fell neglected. While Machiavelli does not have much trust in his people, he at least cares for and listens to their problems and tries to help. “Because he accepts himself, the whole world accepts him” (27), Lao-tzu believes if he thinks he is great then the world will just accepts his greatness. However, today, we are judged on what the world thinks of us not on what we think of ourselves. When Machiavelli says, “I say the all men, when they are spoken of, and particularly princes, since they are placed on a higher level, are judged by some of these qualities which bring them either blame or praise” (42), people are reminded of the same way we put our leaders on pedestals and judge them. Our leaders are judged on the praiseworthy things they have done in their past as well as the blame. Those leaders with more blame never become our leaders, and it proves the judgment we give them. Machiavelli presents a more down-to-earth way of dealing with people than Lao-tzu. When it comes to being a loved or feared leader, Lao-tzu and Machiavelli are complete opposites. “Best is a leader who is loved. / Next, one who is feared. / the worst one who is despised” (17 3-5), Lao-tzu believes the best leader is loved while Machiavelli believes the best leader is feared. Throughout history there are examples of people who adored their leaders and those who lived in terror. More often
Joseph Campbell and Lao Tzu both share interesting philosophies that share many of the same concepts. Joseph, who had created the concept of the hero’s journey, talks about what it takes to make one happy and to follow your bliss. Lao, who was a Chinese philosopher and the creator of Chinese Taoism which is studied today, also shares the same concepts as it is a religion that focuses on the concept of making a human being happy and finding our purposes in life. Both Joseph and Lao have created and philosophised…
an influence on and been influenced by other strands of Chinese religious tradition in their turn. The term "Taoism" (Tao Chia) only appeared in Chinese texts around 100 BCE, and at first this term was used to describe the philosophical school of Lao Tzu and his followers. The term also included references to earlier beliefs and practices which went back to the origins of Chinese civilisation. These practices included esoteric methods to achieve long life and immortality, meditation techniques to…
Western Philosophers: Siddhartha Gautama, Confucius, Lao-Tzu. Philosopia is a Greek origin meaning “love of wisdom,” and it has three main branches: metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. Metaphysics studies reality, epistemology studies knowledge, and ethics studies morality. These are our basics for understanding our famous western philosophers (Barker, Philosophy101). These philosophers include Buddha, Confucius, and Lao-Tzu. Buddha’s philosophy was on self achievement which was reaching…
A World with Lao Tzu’s Views Some of the most debated topics in America are based on politics. Everyone from homemakers to astronauts have their personal opinions of how the country should be governed. With so many political opinions and so little facts being used in decision making in our government, most of the pressing issues seem to be increasingly growing. There is very little consensus in our country today, hence bipartisanship being a hot topic among politicians. In my opinion, politicians…
by his citizens because of his benevolent acts. Lao Tzu is known as the father of Taoism through his writing of the “Tao Te Ching” a book consisting of 5000 characters. Lao Tzu Developed the book when he had traveled to the west of China where a guard asked him to write a book before left. Chuang Tzu was renowned for his writing that had deep meaning yet had roots with every day workers. Chuang Tzu further developed Taoism after the Lao Tzu, a prominent addition being self transformation.…
salt’ as it were, but many were great thinkers with ideas and ideals that stretched beyond their lifetime and affect us still to this day. As I have considered all the philosophers that I have since read about I have chosen St. Thomas Aquinas and Lao Tzu to use in my comparison of Eastern and Western philosophies. My choices are based more on the enjoyment I gained while reading about each character than on any one principle of either’s philosophy. However, my enjoyment did stem from the fact that…
would say the opposite. Similar to Thoreau’s thinking is that of Lao-Tzu in Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching. Lao-Tzu depicts a government that Thoreau would agree with, one in which the people are able to make their own choices, and must learn from their mistakes. “If a country is governed with tolerance, the people are comfortable and honest. If a country is governed with repression, the people are depressed and crafty” (Lao-Tzu, 211). The meaning behind this is basically that a government in which…
and tu a n f o s ie r e s “Life is a on't resist D . s e g n a h c s u spontaneo orrow. Let s s te a e r c ly n them; that o ings flow th t e L . y t li a e r reality be atever way h w in d r a w r naturally fo TZU they like.”-LAO “All things end in the Tao as rivers flow to the sea”-LAO TZU •Requires a certain detachment from the affairs of daily life •Acquiring a life-affirming, spiritually minded attitude(epitomised in the quotes ) that seeks alignment with nature •When we live and think in tune…
bird domesticated. The Book of Changes (I Ching) written. The Book of History (Shu Ching) written. EASTERN OR EARLY CHOU DYNASTY (770-256 BCE) The Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BCE) Spring and Autumn Annals written. Li Erh (Lao-Tzu) born c. 560 BC. He writes the Tao-te Ching and founds the Taoist school of thought. Confucius born (551 or 552 BCE) Confucius presents himself to the Viscount of T'an, then on a visit to Lu (525 BCE) Confucius comments on a gamekeeper who…
Kevin Pikunas Analytical Essay April 4, 2012 Chinese Religion In an American society people are allowed to believe in who or whatever they want. No one is told who they we can or cannot talk to. In a lot of people’s lives who they worship or respect is not a big issue. However, everyone is not able to believe in whomever they wish, like in the United States; many people have rules to abide by on certain issues but not on religion. In other places when it comes to religion it starts…