Lao Tzu: Philosophy As A Way To Govern With Nature

Philosophy, as demonstrated by Lao Tzu, is a way to govern with Nature.  He shows this in the way he specifies the solution to the philosophical problem.  This specified solution is the employment of the Taoist sage as the Sage Emperor.

Philosophy aims to develop in man a sense of wisdom realized through the various manifestations of Nature in life.  There are processes that show a pattern of flow of things.  There are realities that imply the opposites of things in the world.  All of these point one to the origin or the fundamental foundation of everything, Nature.  Through philosophy, one can become a wise man or a sage.  A wise man or sage is simple, humble, contented with what he is.  He develops these values by consistent practice of philosophy.  It aids him to deep reflection so as to understand that a happier life is one that follows the course of Nature.

Moreover, philosophy takes a very significant role of molding one to become a sage. Lao Tzu teaches that the best ruler of a state is a sage.  The life of a sage exemplifies the essence of Nature.  His life oozes out the values of simplicity, humility and contentment.  Thus, the problem of disharmony among people in a particular state is solved through the employment of a Sage Emperor.

A Sage Emperor is an instrument of the development of values and virtues among the people he governed.  Modelled by his very own life, he is an effective example of a ruler who concerns himself more on the necessity of philosophy in the goal towards attaining wisdom.  He aims to govern the people by following the principles implicit in the course of Nature.  These principles imply letting things be, not going against things, doing only the necessary and avoiding extremes and excesses.  These are the rubrics of his governance and lifestyle.

The success of the governance of the Sage Emperor is measured by how he multiplies the values and virtues among his people by the laws he implements and by the strategies he uses to help his people become wiser in life.  This is the social responsibility of a Sage Emperor.  In this way, he avoids disorder or chaos in the state.  Peace and harmony are more realized in his way of governing the people.  He does not interfere in the affairs of his people.  He lets them realize their individual worth without restrictions.  Laws are implemented as necessary guides for the attainment of peace and harmony in the state.  In return, the people support him, obey the laws, and contribute to the growth of the state.

 One’s learning does not actually bloom when it is contained within him alone.  It grows and blooms when one shares it in his community.  Furthermore, he exerts necessary efforts to help others realize values and virtues.  This is what the Taoist sage does in relation to being the solution to the world.  

It is in this sense that Lao Tzu supports the notion of the Taoist sage as the right ruler of a state.  This is because the Taoist sage rules without self-interests.  He rules without force.  He rules following the simple, necessary and natural scheme of things.  As Fung Yu-Lan stated in his book A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, “The sage ruler would undo all causes of trouble in the world.  After that, he would govern with non-action. With non-action, he does nothing, yet everything is accomplished.” ¹

It can be said from Fung’s statement that the non-interference or non-action does not imply the Sage Emperor to be inactive in his job. This means that instead of giving restrictions or giving artificial solutions towards the natural problems of rebellion and the like, the Sage Emperor waits for the right moment to act.  In this sense he avoids any casualty and injury both to himself and his people.  In being  not restrictive, his people feel happy and contented in their lives.  They live simply.  Because they are not restricted, they do not develop negative thoughts about their ruler.  Because nothing is restricted from them, people are less likely to desire for things.  Because people freely exercise their natural capabilities and skills, they become efficient and effective. These bless the state with prosperity. 

Thus, a peaceful and prosperous state is one that is ruled by a Sage Emperor.  In this state, there is good set of laws which can aid in organizing the people and making their lives worthwhile.  There are also proper legislations that promote values and preserve virtues. In contrary, too much restriction defeats the purpose of promoting order.  Rather, it promotes resistance and rebellion.  This is because people are restricted from their actions.  Too much interference of the government brings disorder.  This is because problems causing disorder or disharmony are aggravated by impositions and restrictions. 

This is the problem which Lao Tzu tries to solve as he specifies the solution to the philosophical problem of the absence of natural harmony.  In the context of governing a state, it is the cultivation of values and virtues and one’s constant practice of them that measure governance patterned in Nature.  Only a Sage Emperor can govern a state in a natural way. 

Source:

   1.       Fung Yu-Lan, “Lao Tzu”, (New York: The Free Press, 1948), In A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, 102.