Taoist Ethical Principles

The Subject “Taoist Ethical Principles” belongs to the following Online Programs taught by EENI Global Business School:

Doctorate: Ethics, Religion & Business, Asian Business.

Masters: Religions & Business, International Business.

Course: Taoism, Confucianism & Business.

Languages: or Ética Taoísta Éthique taoïste.

1. Why study “Taoism and Business”?

Ethical principles of Taoism

NOTE: When talking about Taoist ethics; it is necessary to clarify that Laozi, surely, disapproves this definition.

In any case, in Taoism, we can identify a set of ethical principles based on the concepts discussed above (Tao, Te, Yin-Yang) and the principle of the Not action or Wu-Wei. These Taoist ethical principles are:

1. Peace/Non-Violence
2. Respect for the world
3. Self-Knowledge and Wisdom. Unlearn
4. Control of senses. Detachment, austerity, not to covet
5. “Denial of Morality”
6. Goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, love, charity, and justice

The Tao Te Ching is a Manifest of the Non-Violence, as well as other Asian religions, in many aphorisms, we find references to the Non-violence. For Laozi, peace is the highest human value:

“Where everyone is well armed, is a state in vain...
Armaments, are instruments in vain, are unmasterly instruments.” TAO XXX

In many chapters of the Tao Te Ching, we found several references to the relevant concept of “Respect the World.” The key concept is that we should be in harmony with the nature, not wanting to dominate.

“Whoever believes and respects the world, is worthy to be entrusted humanity.
Whoever loves the world as his body, can trust the world.” TAO XIII

Like other religions, the path of the Tao beginning with the self-knowledge who will lead us to the wisdom.

For Laozi, the knowledge generates the imagination, the imagination generates the desire, and the desire goes mad to the human being.

Not knowledge/Unlearn.

This concept tends to be too complex to understand but try to understand it from wisdom.

The maximum principle of Taoism, Wu Wei tells us “unlearn what we know” or “not to teach the people.”

“Practicing the Tao, every day there is something to lose” TAO XLVIII.

To follow the Tao; we must be able to control our senses, the senses are the gateways of the desire, and we must look at our inward, not outward.

The control of senses must lead us to the detachment, austerity, to avoid the greed.

One of the concepts of Tao tough to understand is the denial of the moral value:

“When the Tao is lost, so there arises benevolence and righteousness.” Tao XVIII.

Laozi explains clearly its priorities:

Tao -> Te -> Love -> Justice -> Moral.

Charity/Philanthropy.

One of the duties of a Taoist man is to practice philanthropy. Laozi explains that the Sage who follows the Tao, has a philanthropic spirit, having no possessions, not arguing, by not acting; he can give more to others:

In many parts of Tao refers to the good ruler (company Director), which ultimately must meet with the Taoist concepts analyzed previously, especially he should practice Wu Wei (not acting).

For Laozi, freedom and independence are the foundations of the order.

Sample - Taoist Ethical Principles

Religions and Business.

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