Laozi, founder of Classical Chinese Taoism in the light of newly discovered historical documents Cover Image

Lao c´, zakladateľ čínskeho taoizmu, vo svetle novoodhalených historických súvislostí
Laozi, founder of Classical Chinese Taoism in the light of newly discovered historical documents

Author(s): Marína Čarnogurská
Subject(s): History
Published by: Historický ústav SAV
Keywords: History; Cina; Taoist; philosophy; Laozi

Summary/Abstract: Since the authorship and origin of the most frequently translated Chinese philosophical work Dao De jing is still doubted by many historians of philosophy, not only in the West, but also in China, this study analyses not only all the previously known historical sources, but also texts connected with the work of Laozi newly discovered by Chinese archaeological research. On the basis of this, and on the basis of field research in specific places connected with the life of the Old Master (Laozi), who wrote this important work for the history of world philosophy, the author reconstructs the real facts of the philosopher’s life in the second half of the 6th century BC, and the reasons why his work was unknown in official philosophical circles in China until the end of the 3rd century BC. Shedding new light on these still often misinterpreted facts, is important because the philosophical views contained in the Dao De jing are becoming an ever more topical inspiration, not only for Chinese, but for global post-modern philosophy.

  • Issue Year: 2009
  • Issue No: 01
  • Page Range: 19-42
  • Page Count: 19
  • Language: Slovak