The kanji character “do” is often translated as “way” or “route.”
Taoism continues to challenge conventional wisdom and inspire new thinking. Its teachings include deadpan humor, paradoxes, stories, and fables that are relevant to our times. Western thinkers from Martin Buber and Martin Heidegger to figures like Trappist monk Thomas Merton have found insights in Taoist philosophy. American actor and comedian Bill Murray has been influenced by Eastern philosophies, including Taoism, in his approach to life and comedy. Taoism is growing in popularity among young people and health-conscious people both in and outside of China. Its cousin, Confucianism, is also a cultural and ethical framework supported by the Chinese government.
Taoism has its own cosmology and mythology, with gods and immortals playing an important role in its teachings. The Tao itself is not a personal deity, but a principle and force that governs the universe and permeates reality. Following the Tao is often described in paradoxical terms: “If the Tao were revealed, it would not be the Tao,” “The wise man does nothing, yet is never idle,” “Everyone knows the use of useful things, but no one knows the use of useless things!” By embracing the paradoxes of Taoism, we can learn to live in greater harmony with the natural world and with ourselves.
Confucianism and Taoism are historically distinct, and Taoism has sometimes, at least indirectly, mocked Confucian stubbornness and complacency: “To be truly ignorant, be content with what you know.” Like Socratic philosophy, Taoist wisdom involves embracing the unknown and remaining receptive and flexible to the natural course of things.
One of the foundational texts of Taoism, Zhuangzi’s core ideas are what some scholars call “true pretense”: playing a role without being a character, living without forcing things or trying to control events, laughing politely, respecting social norms and responsibilities while recognizing their fluidity and impermanence, and becoming whatever you want to be without being tied down to your image or the expectations of others.But be a gentleman. [*]
Zhuangzi’s view of the “meek person” differed from Confucian and Western perspectives: a meek person is like water, flowing wherever it goes, taking the form of whatever container it is in, and not limited to a particular role or identity.
Authentic pretense rebels against uniform expectations and resists the pressure to be exceptional. Try too hard, but know how not to. Be sociable, but keep your distance. Stay close, but not too close. Zhuangzi’s political philosophy prioritized flexibility and adaptability. Recognizing that opposing forces can be complementary and personally attuned to the Way can help us transcend partisan bickering and cultivate a more holistic perspective.
For materialistic Westerners, one of the most unsettling insights from the Zhuangzi is the practical value of resisting the useless, even the seemingly good. This is one way of saying “materialism 2.0.” In a Taoist story, a crooked tree that cannot be used for lumber is free to live a long life and flourish, unconstrained by its practicality.
The bottom line is not to be useless, but to choose to be useful intentionally, not as a duty. The Way is not a compulsory ideal, but a path to freedom that is not tied to a particular role or identity. “Identities” are porous and made up of many things — parent, child, friend, enemy, lover, loner, active, passive, believer, agnostic — but they are under the influence of the Way, and intentionally so.
Our mission is authentic fiction. We never belong fully to a particular identity. Our integrity lies in our diversity and our sense of humor. “I don’t know whether I was a man dreaming that I was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that I was a man.” Humor and paradoxes overcome the usual dualistic thinking.
Taoism is more about a way of life than a faith. Regardless of one’s beliefs or traditions, Taoism can sharpen critical thinking and inspire a deeper sense of self. In a world obsessed with measurable outcomes and mistaking knowledge for wisdom, Zhuangzi reminds us of what really matters: our true value lies not in our productivity or intellect, but in our individuality, our creativity, and our capacity to love and connect.
“Follow the path!” It’s walking instead of running, a way to change pace and breathe freely. It’s always a choice, not a command. Sometimes it’s even a joke.
Similarly, G. K. Chesterton wrote about another way to breathe freely: “When God walked this earth, there were great things he could not show us, and I have sometimes imagined that it was his delight.”
[*] In historical Taoism, the word “junzi” (in Chinese: 君子) was traditionally associated with men; modern interpretations are more gender-sensitive.
Notes and reading
“How can I know if I really don’t know?” Embrace uncertainty, question everything, and stay humble (Chapter 6). All references and citations are Zhuangzi: Basic Book – Burton Watson, translator (1964, 2003).
“Taoism” and “Daoism” refer to the same philosophical and religious tradition, although “Taoism” more accurately reflects the Chinese pronunciation. – A Chinese folk religion that blends elements of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism, it is the dominant belief system in China.
“Zhuangzi” (JWAHNG-zee) refers both to the 4th century BCE philosopher Zhuang Zhou and to the foundational texts of Taoism attributed to him. Zhuangzi is, along with Laozi (6th century BCE), the founder of Taoist philosophy. Their respective works are Tao Te Ching (Laozi) Zhuangzi It forms the core of classical Taoism. Tao Te Ching Presenting concise Taoist principles, Zhuangzi It tells stories and conveys further insight into following the path through wit and absurdity. I ChingAlthough not strictly Taoist, it is an influential Chinese classic that has shaped Taoist thought along with other philosophical traditions.
Bill Murray – Broader parallels with Taoism include jazz greats such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter, while physicist Fritsov Capra has explored parallels between modern physics and Eastern mysticism, drawing on the ideas of Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg. The Path of Physics (2010 – 35th Anniversary Edition)
Pretending to be Real: On Zhuangzi’s Philosophy – Hans-Georg Moeller of the University of Macau and Paul J. D’Ambrosio of East China Normal University (2017). The authors have lived and taught in China for many years.
Zhuangzi’s Political Philosophy – Criticism of the Imperial Law: Lessons from Zhuangzi – Dorothy H.B. Kwek Dao: Journal of Comparative Philosophy (15 September 2019), pp. 411-433. – Kwek, a political theorist at Cardiff University, contrasts Western and Eastern political thought. Zhuangzi’s philosophy emphasizes individual freedom and initiative over the obligations and traditions at the heart of Confucianism and other Asian values widely embraced by China’s ruling elite.
in The Cowherd and the Good Shepherd In (2013), Addison Hodges Hart explores the spiritual connections between Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity, showing how Taoist principles like balance and simplicity can align with and deepen Christian faith. To see more of Hart’s work, check out his Substack. The Practical Mystic.
“…our integrity lies in our diversity” – In another context, it reminds me of Psalm 103:1: “Bless the Lord, O my soul! all Blessed be His holy name that is within me” (NRSV).
“There were things too big for God to show us…” – Chesterton, Orthodox, Last page.
[About uselessness: A. Natasha Joukovsky, author of the Substack “Quite Useless,” describes it as a collection of “musings, stories, and ramblings” that are not meant to be of any particular use to anyone. I think of her as Dorothy Parker redivivus. Razor-sharp humor.]
Approximately 2 + 2 = 5: https://williamgreen.substack.com/about – revision
Source: 2 + 2 = 5 – williamgreen.substack.com
