도가철학의 대안적 인식 -모더니즘의 대안으로서의 『도덕경』의 성인지도-

Abstract

Taoism has functioned as an alternative thought historically. For us who gaze the strand of Modernism, Taoism is newly brought to the fore as one among various alternatives. This thesis tries to interpret alternatively Taoism in order to constitute the alternative of Modernism. We use Easterlin's Paradox as a symbol of the strand of Modernism. This paradox requires us to demythologize Modernism and to propose an alternative way of life. The first chapter of Tao-Te-Ching indicate that a judgement cannot be the absolute, because a judgement arise from a desire which change owing to its locations and its periods. So we can recognize modern myths which the economic growth means happiness cannot be longer true nowadays through it. Tao-Te-Ching not only proposes the ground of demythologization but also provide an model of alternative ways of life through the comparison among the way of Nature and Man and Sage. Modernism is to the way of Man and Postmodernism is to the attempt to refute the way of Man and to coincide with Nature through the way of Sage. The modern attitude on the knowledge and possession make a thief dwells in human mind. Human being adopt the postmodern, e.g. downshifters' attitude for the purpose of reducing the thieving heart. Tao-Te-Ching advises to empty their minds, fill their bellies, weaken their wills, and strengthen their bones. The modern attitude on the other beings is the dichotomy between subject and object and between the ruling and the ruled. This kind of actional attitude ultimate result in the counterattack of the other beings. The modern crises such as human alienations and environmental pollutions are the examples of this counterattack. Tao-Te-Ching clarify the non-action, i.e. the subject-subject ways of life against it. The Sage carries out this through making the mind of the people his mind. The tenacity for one's own possession is the most modern. Modernism regards the having as the absolute and recognize the possession as the human achievement. Tao-Te-Ching elucidate the achievement is not the possessor's but the nature's which make the possessor achieve. Fair Trade show us a Taoistic view of possession and justice. While Taoism is an alternative to Modernism, Taoism is to itself. The first chapter of Tao-Te-Ching and The story of Wheel Carpenter in Chuang-Tzu show us this self-denying characteristic. The alternative character of Taoism perpetuate itself here.