The “Thoughts” of Lao-Tzu, Essay Example

Introduction

The “thoughts” of Lao-Tzu contain an interesting blend of liberal and conservative philosophies. While it is, at first, strange to see opposing ideals combined, Lao-Tzu (27) often combined contradicting ideas in order to make his audience think more thoroughly about his ideas. Furthermore, because his philosophies contain portions that both liberals and conservatives can agree with, they might be very useful for modern day politicians who must

Often compromise, but who must also behave morally to avoid damaging scandals.

Conservatives might well agree with Lao-Tzu’s statement regarding welfare programs. Indeed, Lao-Tzu (27) said the following:

The more subsidies you have,

The less self-reliant people will be.

Conservatives have often echoed such sentiments. Libertarian David Marsland (Marsland), for instance, said the following:

State welfare has schooled us to take for granted that the Nanny State will provide for all our needs. It has stripped us of our natural capacity for enterprising self-reliance.

Lao-Tzu’s philosophy regarding subsidies would, doubtless, appeal to conservatives such as Marsland. So too would Lao-Tzu’s Laissez Faire approach to governance. Conservatives often claim that there is “too much government” in American life. They argue for less federal intrusion and more state and individual right. Lao-Tzu (27) would have agreed with these conservatives. Indeed, he advised leaders to “act for the peoples benefit” and to “trust them; leave them alone.”

On the other hand, in America, conservatives have been more inclined than liberals to support the use and possession of weapons – both on a personal and a national level. Conservatives tend to oppose gun control and to support US nuclear weapons plans. Liberals, meanwhile, are more apt to support gun control and nuclear disarmament. Indeed, the division between liberals and conservatives on weapons ownership was made very clear when President Obama announced plans to reduce nuclear weapons in the United States. This drew a great deal of criticism from conservatives. Indeed, Rebecca Heinreichs (Heinrichs 1) said the following:

If President Obama is serious about wanting to follow President Reagan in the quest to create a world without nukes, he must pursue a much more robust and layered missile defense system than the one we have. It’s nonsensical, naïve, and downright dangerous to pursue the one without the other.

But Lao-Tzu would disagree. Indeed, in “Thoughts,” he said, “The more weapons you have, the less secure people will be.” The President, and, indeed, many on the left, would sympathize very much with Lao-Tzu on this matter.

Many liberals would also agree on Lao-Tzu’s view of morality. Conservatives often support “family values” and moral reforms. Former Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin, for instance, bragged about making “ethics reform” the law in Alaska while she was governor of the state (Palin 1). Conservatives tend to favor pro-life legislation, citing the importance of life and morality. Liberals, meanwhile, focus on the importance of free-choice. Those who favor choice might well agree with Lao-Tzu’s (27) statement that “the more prohibitions you have, the less virtuous people will be.”

Both conservatives and liberals can find views they sympathize with in the thoughts of Lao-Tzu.  Conservatives can take heart in Lao-Tzu’s hands-off approach to governance, this trust in individual morality, and his warnings against subsidies. Liberals, meanwhile, can find much to agree with in Lao-Tzu’s hands-off view of morality and ethics, as well as his criticism of weapons. A politician who could incorporate both sides of Lao-Tzu’s thoughts might be able to work well with representatives on both sides of the aisle. On the other hand, he might find himself ostracized or isolated, as neither conservatives nor liberals would agree with Lao-Tzu on every issue.  Those who felt he was either not conservative enough or not liberal enough might not be able to trust him entirely. Yet, perhaps if such a politician made it clear that he was following the moral and governmental philosophies of Lao-Tzu, others would find him more trustworthy.

Works Cited

Heinrichs, Rebeccah. “Where’s Iran In Obama’s War on Nukes?” 19 April 2010. Fox News. 9 May 2010 <http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/04/19/rebeccah-heinrichs-obama-nukes-reagan-iran-petraeus/>.

Lao-Tzu. Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching. e.a. 6 B.C. Marsland, David. “Real Welfare: Self-Reliance or State Dependency?” 2003. Economic Notes No. 96. 9 May 2010 <http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/econn/econn096.htm>.

Palin, Sarah. “Transcript: Gov. Sarah Palin At The RNC.” 3 September 2008. NPR. 9 May 2010 <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94258995>.