Daoism Critcism

[Paul]

I understand the the Daosit approach on life is mainly a "go with the
flow" menatality, but my question lies
on their stance on education. If they do not beileve in any type of
education, why do they even TEACH Daoism
in the first place. Isnt teaching Daoism a form of education? Thanks
for the help.

-Paul S. Dormas

[nicole coleman]

i think that we talked about this in class. they dont have an answer. that is what the Confusionists were arguing. they argue that the Taoists just didnt think that far ahead or far enough into it. that going with the flow IS being a Confusion and the Taoists are the ones not adequately following the "go with the flow" doctrine themselves.

nicole

[wasser...@osu.edu]

What if someone's merely curious about Daoism and wants to find out a
little bit more? It seems like that might be a way in which someone
could naturally pursue information about Daoism, provided that the
seeker didn't set a rigid agenda.

The person who pursues information about Daoism the right way:

"Hmm, those Daoists are on to something. It really interests me...
maybe I'll find out more, but if I don't I guess that's okay, too."

The person who persues information about Daoism the wrong way:

"I will immerse myself in Daoist teaching and, after laborious effort,
become vastly knowledgeable! I won't let any obstacle get in the way
of my plan!"

What I'm saying is, maybe it just depends on the approach to education
that the person seeking it takes.

[caldwe...@osu.edu]

I'll try to tackle this dillema.

Being a practicing Daoist, I feel that education can be helpful.

That being said, the strict education our country gives need not be
the answer. It is not that they don't beleive in education, but they
do not believe in a mould, or context to learn in.

Let's put it this way: Many people would agree that, besides gaining
knowledge, a college education will help one with organization,
responsibility, doing things in a timely fashion, etc. Now, there are
many ways to get smart, yet American society tends not to see it
without a college education. With a college degree, one can get many
jobs while one without one may not be able to. Does this mean that the
college kid is more right for the job? Maybe, maybe not. They do have
the "advantage" of being pounded with a philosophy of how a successful
person goes to college and gets a job and makes money. They were
pounded with the notion that turning things in on time is the right
thing to do, and etc.
A college grad has this advantage. But we all know the school system
isn't perfect.

Just the other day, I handed in my midterm in my history class late. I
got an 81, yet because it was late, I was brought down to a 71. In
other words, because I gave it in a day late, I was brought down to
the level of someone who may not have known the material as well. As
we can see, college is not all about education, rather it is
conforming one to a certain way of thought. I knew the stuff, I was
just late, and therefore penalized. One can quickly see education is
not the ultimate goal of college.

But also, you must remember that Daoism does not NOT believe in
education, as anyone's view of the world is correct in their context.
If one goes to school, gets a job, gets money and has a "successful"
life by American standards, and they are happy with that, than they
lived a good life.

If one is a nomad, wandering the world, taking whatever comes and is
HAPPY with that, they lived a good life.

If one shoots heroin into his eyeball for the ultimate rush and is
happy with that choice (Presuming he does not harm anyone else), they
lived a good life.

Here's the kicker. Everyone dies, and it doesn't matter in the end. In
other words, do away with preset concepts from your birth and live how
YOU are happy. There is no wrong answer, although try not to harm
anyone. There's no reason for that. Just chill out and be happy.