On the Philosophical Significance of the Metaphor of Laozi's Dao

• Main Authors: Yang,Hui-Zhen, 楊惠媜
• Other Authors: Wu,Zhi-Xue
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/77548321740382938498

碩士 === 華梵大學 === 哲學系碩士班 === 97 === The main point of this study is to comprehend Laozi’s philosophical significance of “Dao” by concrete substances in Laozi. In order to let people easily understand “Dao”, Laozi used lots of concrete substances to expound his viewpoint about what his so-called “Dao” is. “Substances” in this experiencing world is vividly used to depict “Dao” by Laozi. Due to metaphor words which can show the meaning of “Dao” by concrete substances, and being “Dao’s” concrete expression of abstract conception, we can try to understand the main point of “Dao” and get its conception by conferring more on concrete substances’ characteristics and expressions. There is divided into three parts in this study. First, exploring the background of the philosophy of Laozi. The concept of Laozi is abstruse, and the idea of Dao is not easy to understand explicitly; thus, the historical background of Laozi is fundamental to the ideological formation and development. The impact of Laozi’s period and circumstance is one of the essentials of Laozi’s thinking. Second, researching the concept of “Dao”. The word of “Dao” is not invented by Laozi, but the philosophical concept of Laozi’s “Dao” is unique and the impact is deep and great. How the characteristic of “Dao” was displayed is the emphasis in this study. Third, the instances of metaphor cited by Laozi were mainly in connection with “Dao”; thus, this is the manner for Laozi to relate “Dao” by metaphor. But for the researchers, that is the way to understand the substance of “Dao” by investigating the relation between metaphor and “Dao”. We still can’t tell the meaning of “Dao” completely yet because no one can know well about “Dao’s” profound. It is like “No one in the world can force Dao to be obedient” from chapter 32, Laozi. We just indirectly arrange “Dao’s” exposition and ideals for Laozi through these concrete substances’ features and affection. With this study, we finally can try to realize why Laozi compared concrete substances with “Dao”.