A Comparison Between Tao Yuanming And Thoreau From The Perspective Of Chinese Traditional Philosophy

This paper is intended to make a comparative study between the American writer Thoreau and the Chinese poet Tao Yuanming, The comparison will be done from the perspective of Chinese traditional philosophy-Daoism and Confucianism because both writers have the features of Daoism and Confucianism in themselves and their works.Taoism and Confucianism are the two most influential philosophies in China.The conception of Tao and Te, the theory of letting alone, equality of things, the balance of tranquility and activity, absolute freedom, pure experience, immorality are the main points of Taoist philosophy.Conformation to established rules, cultivation of high morals, active participation in social life, recognition of one's social status and assumption of appropriate behavior expected of this status are the main principles of Confucianism.These two schools of philosophies coexist in the style of living as well as the works of Thoreau and Tao Yuanming.Their love for natural world, simple way of life, freedom and the political principle of "doing nothing" are typical Taoist.But Taoist alone was not enough to account for the ideas of these two writers. The influence of Confucianism was also very obvious in both Thoreau and Tao Yuanming. Their positive attitude toward life and active involvement in political affairs are typical confucianist principles.This paper concentrates on the comparison between Thoreau and Tao Yuanming...