How Un-Taoist of You!

Trey Smith

From time to time, someone leaves a comment here which states that one of our writers -- usually me! -- has written something that is -- dare I say it? -- un-Taoist. Most often these types of comments are in response to a post that criticizes, mocks or ridicules a different belief system.

To anyone who has ever left a comment of this nature, I have a question for you: Have you ever read the Zhuangzi (Book of Chuang Tzu)? Considered one of the two foundational texts of philosophical Taoism, the Zhuangzi criticizes, mocks and ridicules many of the other schools of thought of its day!

Many of the stories told feature Confucius or one of his disciples. Often, they are not presented as the learned person of the story, but as a fool. Chuang Tzu also takes a few swipes at the Mohists. In fact, one could easily posit that a good majority of the text of the Zhuangzi is a strong rebuke of the prevailing philosophies of that era.

So, when those of us writing on this blog criticize the prevailing attitudes extant in our modern world today, one could argue that we merely are following in the footsteps of Chuang Tzu.

Unless, of course, you think Chuang Tzu was un-Taoist!