The Research On The Meaning Of "Nature" In Lao-tzu

Nature in Lao-tzu is an important philosophical category, which is the basic spirit of Lao Tzu's philosophy.Although now nobody simply understands nature in lao-tzu as the natural world,on the meaning of nature in Lao-tzu, there still exist many controversies. Tao in Lao-tzu has many features, but the most fundamental characteristic is nature,which is called the nature of Tao.Nature in Lao Tzu's philosophy is Philosophical category more than one content area.lt is not only the nature of Tao, there are still two meanings.One is principle of conduct of the existence and development of things born from Tao, the other is ideal state of the existence of human. The latter two meanings are derived from the fundamental meaning,i.e.nature is the nature of Tao.The first chapter of this thesis discusses that nature is the nature of Tao.On nature as a general principle,this study that nature is the principle of Tao which is a existing thing from the point of view that nature is the nature of Tao. This chapter discusses the proposition that nature is the nature of Tao from four aspects,i.e.what is nature,what is Tao, Tao imitating nature,and Tao often being natural.The second chapter discusses that nature is the principle of existence of things. This chapter intends to demonstrate that nature is the general principle of the universe,. This chapter discusses the proposition that nature is the principle of existence of things from three aspects,i.e.the existence of thing and nature,the existence of human and nature,and the existence of society and nature.The third chapter discusses that nature is the ideal state of existence of things. However,it is beyond the scope of this chapter to enumerate evidences to prove this point widely,in other words, this paper does not confirm the proposition that nature is the ideal state of existence of things from things,but only discusses that nature is the ideal state of sage governance. This intends to replace the area with the piont and to reveal the general with the individual.This chapter discusses that nature is the ideal state of sage governance from three aspects,i.e.sage governance under the principle of nature, accession of sage governance to nature by inaction,and ideal state of sage governance namely nature.The fourth chapter discusses the relationship between nature and humanistic nature.The paper believes that there are some positive meaning and value with "humanistic nature" interpretating nature in Lao-tzu, therefore,in some sense,it is necessary. But nature in Lao-tzu is the general principle of the universe and the highest principle,which applies to both the natural world and the humanistic world,so "humanistic nature" cannot replace it. This shows that nature in Lao-tzu cannot be interpreted as "humanistic nature"This paper clarified the meaning of nature in Lao-tzu,clarifying kinds of misunderstandings about nature in Lao-tzu,even about Lao Tzu's philosophy,at the same time,intending to elaborate the value of nature in Lao-tzu and Lao Tzu's philosophy in modern society.