Home Categories Chinese history Yi Zhongtian History of China 06·A hundred schools of thought contend

Chapter 9 3. Two types of "anarchy"

Zhuangzi's proposition is "anarchism". Generally speaking, Taoism does not like the government, nor does it like leaders.At least, Zhuangzi and the Zhuangzi school don't like it.They believe that the government and leadership are better off without it.Even if it can't be canceled, it has to be equal to nothing.The figurative saying is called "the top is like a branch, and the people are like a wild deer".The standard branches are the leaves on the top of the tree.does it exist?exist.Are you in charge?in spite of. This is not surprising. As mentioned earlier, the Taoist point of view is that there is virtue only when there is no virtue, and love only when there is no love.Therefore, just as the best societies do not need to be saved, so the best governance, leadership, and domination should be non-existent, or at least invisible.

In the words of Lao Tzu, it is called "the one who is too high, the one who is below knows it". There is also a version of this sentence written as "I don't know what it is".If you don't know that there is a leader, you don't know that there is a leader at all; if you know that there is a leader, you just know that there is a leader, which is equivalent to not having a leader.this is the best. The second point is that the leaders and the common people please each other, which is called "reputation by relatives".Thirdly, it is the ruler who threatens the people, and the people fear the ruler, which is called "fear".The worst thing is that the ruler insults the people, and the people hate the ruler, which is called "insult".For this sake, it is troubled times.

It doesn't matter whether it's like a standard branch or not, it all shows that the government and leaders can be ignored. So, why doesn't Taoism want a government? Look at Lao Tzu first. Laozi never said that there is no need for a government, but he advocates that the government should not act.Lao Tzu said that in a society, the more taboos there are, the poorer the people are; the more equipment, the more chaotic the country;In short, the world is in chaos because the ruler is too accomplished. But why are rulers promising? lustful. In Lao Tzu's view, all actions originate from desire.If you want more, you will not be satisfied.If you are not satisfied, just toss around.The more tossing, the more chaotic the world will be.This is called "There is no crime greater than desire, and no disaster greater than dissatisfaction."

so what should I do now? Asceticism. However, desire is something that everyone has.What can be done is not to seduce and seduce. For this reason, Lao Tzu put forward his "three no principles". First, do not select the best and appoint the best.Because only if the worthy and talented are not respected and the people do not learn from examples, then there will be no competition.This is called "not honoring the virtuous, so that the people will not fight".Second, do not value treasures.Because only if you don't take rare treasures seriously, no one will try to steal them.This is called "not expensive and hard-to-find goods, so that the people will not be stolen."Thirdly, not to show off things that might trigger and arouse greed.Because only when the ruler does not show his desires, can the people be free from desires.This is called "not seeing (now) what you want, so that the people's hearts will not be disturbed."

Hehe, what is good at the top must be bad at the bottom, the old man understands this truth. Therefore, Laozi not only requires the rulers to have few desires, but also wants them to be mentally retarded.Because the ruler is muddle-headed, the people are simple and honest, saying that "his government is boring, and his people are honest and honest"; It seems that it is best for the rulers and the common people to be in a daze. Therefore, Lao Tzu put forward his policy of obscuring the people.Specifically: for the people, we should simplify their thoughts, fill their stomachs, weaken their aspirations, and strengthen their bodies, so that the people will never have knowledge and desires, and let self-righteous people dare not do anything wrong.

It is very clear that in order to make "those who know dare not act", it is necessary to "keep the people ignorant and desireless", of course, "empty their minds, strengthen their stomachs, weaken their wills, and strengthen their bones".But like this, wouldn't it be comfortable and become an animal? Exactly. The question is: why? Because "the people are difficult to govern because of their wisdom."Therefore, if you want to govern a country, you must fool the people; if you want to fool the people, you must fool the ruler.Even if you pretend, you have to be confused.This is called "governing the country with wisdom is the thief of the country; not governing the country with wisdom is the blessing of the country".

At least, you have to "do nothing, teach without words". But, can the ruler do nothing? Of course.Lao Tzu said: When the ruler does nothing, the people will be subtly influenced; if the ruler likes to be clean, the people will be on the right track; if the ruler does nothing, the people will gradually become rich;This is called "I do nothing and the people transform themselves, I am quiet and the people are upright, I have nothing to do and the people are rich, I have no desires and the people are simple." One sentence: "If you don't want to be quiet, the world will decide by itself."

Therefore, the king should not be sentimental, it is better to "govern by doing nothing".Doing nothing is not "no cure", but "great rule".You must know that in Lao Tzu's view, whatever is "big" must be "nothing".Since the biggest utensils don't need to be made, the best world doesn't need to be cured.The rule of no cure is great rule. In fact, if the king does not govern, the people will govern themselves; if the king does not do anything, the people will do something.Therefore, Lao Tzu’s point of view can also be summed up in one sentence——

There is a government, nothing to do; a small government, a big society. It seems that Lao Tzu is not really inaction.He cures without curing, and does nothing without doing anything.This is different from Zhuangzi.In Zhuangzi's view, only by being "like a branch on the top" can we ensure that "the people are like a wild deer".People are like wild deer, they are nature and freedom.So, what should the government do? Obviously, Laozi is just "inaction", and Zhuangzi is "anarchy". These are two different kinds of "anarchism". There are different "anarchisms", and there are also different permutations and combinations of "action" and "inaction": Laozi "seeks action through inaction", Zhuangzi "seeks action through inaction", and Mozi "seeks action through action". promising".As for "seeking non-action through action", it will be represented by Zen Buddhism.

So at this moment, Mozi, Laozi, Zhuangzi, who bears fruit? Lao Tzu. Who is the fruit? Han Fei.
Notes:
Press "Left Key ←" to return to the previous chapter; Press "Right Key →" to enter the next chapter; Press "Space Bar" to scroll down.
Chapters
Chapters
Setting
Setting
Add
Return
Book