On Laozi’s “Tao” and Confucius’s “Tao”
Abstract
As great sages of the pre-Qin period, both Laozi and Confucius grounded their respective philosophical discourses on the concept of “Dao”, establishing the cultural foundations of Taoism and Confucianism. Objectively speaking, while they share connections, they also differ in their approaches. Laozi’s “Dao” primarily refers to the fundamental principles governing the existence of the world, whereas Confucius’s “Dao” regulates worldly order through ethical and moral guidance. From a categorical perspective, ethical and moral principles exist within the framework of universal laws, thereby forming an intrinsic connection between the two.
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