Approaches to ethics in the Laozi (Lao-Tzu)

This paper will look at five major approaches to interpreting “ethics” in the Laozi. There is a good deal of controversy over what type of ethics might be promoted in the Laozi and additional discussions of whether or not any the text includes ethical concerns at all. We begin with a basic introduction to dao 道 (way) and certain patterns of thinking in the Laozi before moving on to a sketch of ziran 自然 or “self-so” and wuwei 無為 or “nonaction.” The first approach finds an account of ethics already within these two concepts. The second sees Confucian virtues along with sincerity, simplicity, purity, and genuineness as ethical guides. Looking to the underpinnings of these reading, the third approach finds dao itself as moral, and any action in accordance with dao is deemed ethical. However, like dao, being ethical in this manner is considered ineffable. The fourth type of interpretation argues that the Laozi is critical of ethics itself. Finally, we look at how the model of the “sage” can be related to “ethics” or “êthos” in a broad sense. In the short conclusion general agreements that pervade all five approaches will be outlined. These include resisting standardization of ethics and an implicit understanding of human nature as “okay.”.