Answer TWO of the following:
Q2: We discussed the idea that these poems might have been intended for a ruler to guide his people, and several poems in this selection also use the language of an emperor to his empire. Why might this also be an effective metaphor for someone who wields no power and is just a normal man or woman in society? Why might it be important to think of yourself as the ruler of a vast kingdom?
Q3: One of the most famous statements in the Tao te ching occurs in poem 56 (LVI): "One who knows does not speak, one who speaks does not know." How does this echo an actual statement (or statements) in The Teachings of Ptahhotep or The Satire of the Trades? Why do you think both cultures place such importance on the art of speaking (or being silent)?
Q4: "The Way" cannot be explained or shown, but hinted at through a series of metaphors. Which metaphor in these poems did you feel was most effective at helping you 'see' some aspect of this teaching? Briefly discuss how the metaphor works in its poem.
Q4: (and Q3, honestly) When I read poem 56, "one who knows does not speak, one who speaks does not know", I was immediately reminded of the old advice, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open your mouth and remove all doubt"... I was convinced that this was the observation being made by this verse. When we talked about it in class, I began to think about how illusory our convictions can be, sometimes. When I decide upon a parenting "style", my children immediately show me that they need something other than what I've decided. When I become convinced that my children are amazing and wonderful and will always make me proud, they turn around and do something bone-headed.
ReplyDeleteThis verse goes on, "Block the openings; Shut the doors. Blunt the sharpness; Untangle the knots; Soften the glare; Let your wheels move only along old ruts."(Lao Tzu. Tao Te Ching (Classics) (p. 63). Penguin Books Ltd. Kindle Edition.) I love the rhythm of this - it is staccato and makes me think of more western poetry. I want to say it out loud, just to feel the words in my mouth. When examining the words themselves though; the meaning is unclear. It seems to be saying, unfocus the eyes and let life carry you where you are meant to go. Later it seems to talk about the idea of never being able to get close to "the way" alluding to (again, what we talked about in class) this idea of finish lines being antithetical to "The Way", presuming that anything is or could be antithetical to "The Way".
Q1: The answer to this can be found in another metaphor that was enlightening - did not discuss it in class, but it struck me when reading: LXIII - "Difficult things in the world must needs have their beginnings in the easy; big things must needs have their beginnings in the small." While this is a repeated metaphor, for some reason this time I felt it was (like the metaphors in the question) referencing the duality of everything. While, on the surface, it seems to be admonishing a leader to just start "eating the Elephant" one bite at a time, it is also making a larger point: a thing cannot exist without its opposite. So to, the admonishments that it is better not to know than to know, better not to go than to go, better to not do than to do... these sentiments are contradicted so many times that I can't help but think that they are a larger metaphor as to the duality of everything. (and now that I've articulated this idea in print, it seems absurdly twisty!)
1. No this is not a philosophy to be lazy or ignorant, but more as a way of saying pick your battles, in my opinion. While "better not to do than do" sounds like a convincing argument to not clean the house i see it more as something like it is better not to argue with someone who doesn't know what they are talking about simply from a time point of view.
ReplyDelete4. "A Man of the highest virtue does not keep to virtue and that is why he has virtue. A man of the lowest virtue never strays from virtue and that is why he is without virtue." To me this is like saying I am going to find the way and I am going to be amazing, while in reality while you are striving to be kind to all and be the absolute best you miss some of the key points. "A man of the highest virtue does not keep to virtue..." Those who do good without trying to do good, like they do not just say I am going to help 23 people today, instead they just do it without setting that goal are of higher virtue.
1. I do not think this is a philosophy of being lazy and ignorant. I think what Lao Tzu is trying to say in poem 47 is that there is no need to explore every little corner of the world in order to understand how it works. Its essence is obvious to anyone who is open to it. We explore the world mostly through our minds, therefore, travel is uncalled for. Whatever we discover about the universe is bound by how we experience it. Our observations depend on what we want everything to be. Those who insist on searching elsewhere are likely to get lost.
ReplyDelete3. A few statements from The Teachings of Ptahhotep that remind me of poem 56 are, "Truth is great and its effectiveness endures," "Do not repeat slander; you should not hear it, for it is the result of hot temper," and "Be a craftsman in speech that thou mayest be strong, for the strength of one is the tongue, and speech is mightier than all fighting." I think both cultures place an importance on being silent because they wish to follow a humble course in life. Both of these cultures taught "integrity" and raised their people on it. They were taught to feel no need to be recognized or praised for good deeds. They were pleased with what they were and what they had.
2. To think of yourself in a powerful aspect, in that of a leadership role can change how you would make decisions. To think of the hundreds of people, maybe thousands, of people under you that whatever happens causes a ripple effect that affects most if not all of them. Your decision could cause your economy to grow, or completely deplete your resources and cause an uprising.
ReplyDelete3. Both of them are trying to show that sometimes silence can be the smarter thing than speaking. When an argument arises, sometimes the smart one is the one that stops talking first. When a friend is crying and needs someone to be there, silence can be their best friend. Speaking can be the most powerful option, but at the same time silence can be the difference between life and death.
Ethan Hays
ReplyDelete1. I don't think this is a philosophy of being lazy and ignorant. I think what the poem is trying to say is to "work smarter, not harder." Instead of going or doing something without thinking, we should try to find an easier way to do it and sometimes not going or doing is the easier and smarter way.
2. I think it might be important for just a normal man or woman to look at themselves as a ruler because it would definitely change their actions and how they view things. Acting as if you are just a normal human being with no power, you will most likely look out for yourself and do what is right for you. Whereas if you are acting like a ruler of a vast kingdom, you will have to think about the well being of thousands of people. A good ruler would put the people below him first, just like a good person would put his fellow humans before him. Thinking as a ruler would help one to be more selfless.
Q1:This philosophy is not meant to be looked at as lazy and ignorant. It is meaning as the sense of know right and wrong, know when to go and when not to.
ReplyDeleteYou need to know when to talk and when to not say anything at all.
Q2: It would be important to think about yourself as a king even though you are just a common man because it would change the way you view yourself which would intitially change your actions. You would be more incharged but aware of your actions and think not only of yourself but the well being of everybody.
Q1: better not to know then to know means to me that if you don't know something you can't worry about it but if you know about it your going to worry. so its better to stay in the dark so it won't effect you. better not to go than to go, to me means that you already know where you are but if you leave you don't know what could happen. i don't think this is being lazy and ignorant because the unknown could be harmful and sometimes ignorance is bliss.
ReplyDeleteQ2: well your no different then a ruler in my opinion, everyone makes decisions that could effect the people around them and if thats true then would it not be for the best that everyone has the knowledge to make the best decisions?
chance bray