2 replies to this topic

[mohistManiac]

I have heard that Daoism teaches you to not follow any one path or any particular Dao and yet to take heed of this advice is to follow a Dao. I am wondering if the ancients really thought it through before considering it as part of their teachings to pass from generation to generation.

[Bao Pu]

I have heard that Daoism teaches you to not follow any one path or any particular Dao and yet to take heed of this advice is to follow a Dao. I am wondering if the ancients really thought it through before considering it as part of their teachings to pass from generation to generation.

While it's true they criticized sticking to one dao, one way of living, they did suggest ways that were more effective. This/These could be considered a dao or daos. This might not be considered logically consistent, but I don't think they were aiming for logical consistency.They were "pointing to the moon," as some would later say.

[mohistManiac]

While it's true they criticized sticking to one dao, one way of living, they did suggest ways that were more effective. This/These could be considered a dao or daos. This might not be considered logically consistent, but I don't think they were aiming for logical consistency.They were "pointing to the moon," as some would later say.

I don't know the main idea of Daoism, perhaps there are many but it seems wrapped up in telling people the proper way of doing things without ever giving way to forceful means which is the vibe I get. Maybe the multiple Dao path is the way to go since even without knowing it that's what normal behavior gives way to being. Yet if you must force yourself do this then it's not suggested. This could be a solution.