Abstract:
This paper attempts to present the Taoist understanding of evil. In the Taoist tradition, especially in Tao Te Ching, evil is divided into two categories: causal evil and consequential evil. Causal evils are those evils that are said to be the causes of other evils; consequential evils are those that are said to be the consequences of the causal evils. Causal evils originate from human will, and cause suffering. This means that evil is not equal to suffering. Lao Tzu does not clearly talk about natural suffering. He regards all evil and suffering as resulting from human actions that are not in accordance with Tao, which is the source of all life. Therefore, the way to overcome evil is to follow Tao, to actualize wu-wei in life.
Machine summary:
He regards all evil and suffering as resulting from human actions that are not in accordance with Tao, which is the source of all life.
The goal of Taoism as a philosophy and religious tradi tion, as expressed in the Tao Te Ching of Lao Tzu, the Chuang Tzu, and the Lieh Tzu is a profound, joyful, mystical, and practical harmony with the universe.
Meaning of Evil As a definition that can help us identify the evils discussed in the Tao Te Ching, we can say that evils are those things, events, or actions that are either condemned by Lao Tzu, or have to be avoided according to him.
It does not mean, however, that, in Lao Tzu's view, things are evil simply because they are to be condemned or avoided (Sung-Peng Hsu 1976, 301).
It will be shown that Lao Tzu's philosophy of Tao is deeply concerned with eliminating these evils from the world.
There is, however, another reason why, in Lao Tzu's philosophy, the will is in principle free to interfere with the Tao. In his conception of the universe, there are no external or eternal "laws" of nature, to which all things must conform.
Therefore, In Taoism, the way of overcoming evil is to follow the Tao, to actualize wu-wei in human life.
Conclusion Lao Tzu regards all evil and suffering as resulting from human actions and from getting out of the natural way.