Description
Confucius and Lao Zi (active around 500 BCE) were the originators of the two major philosophical traditions in China, Confucian and daoist. They formulated their viewpoints without any claim to divine or supernatural revelations, and without any invocation of religious authority. They simply proposed ideas they thought were essential for people to live by as individuals, in society, and in this world, without the guidance of any religion but instead with that of a humanist philosophy.
Lao Zi’s daoist philosophy is sadly confused by many with the daoist religion, which was founded around 140 CE. Seeing humankind as a part of the universe, Lao Zi never hints at the creation of the world by supernatural beings. In fact, the Book of Lao Zi presents an atheist natural self-generation of the universe, as part of a humanist philosophy.
Confucius and Lao Zi emphasize different yet similar virtues that people should practice with the underlying assumption that every human being is perfectible, each by one’s own efforts. This view differs greatly from the belief in many religious traditions that humankind is stained by an original sin or other evil thus requiring redemption through religion. The experience of the Chinese people shows that human beings can make ethical and humane moral decisions without religious input. If this phenomenon could take place in one society for thousands of years, then the argument that all people must have religion as their moral compass to guide them becomes specious.
Personal cultivation of character is illustrated in A Humanist Path by the life stories of people in China and beyond. World events, historical and contemporary, discussed in connection with the ancient thinkers’ teachings demonstrate their relevance in the 21st century. Questions of who decides on moral standards in society, and how do human beings make moral and ethical decisions assist readers in making moral and ethical choices in today’s world.
Author
Wei Djao was born in Shanghai and grew up in Hong Kong. She holds a Ph.D. degree in Sociology, specializing in China Studies, from the University of Toronto. She taught Sociology and Global/Asian Studies in the United States and Canada. She also did research and taught for one year in Hong Kong. She has published scholarly articles and books on the Chinese people and Chinese civilization. Among her previously published books are:
- A Blossom Like No Other: Li Qingzhao,
- Being Chinese: Voices from the Diaspora; and
- Inequality and Social Policy: The Sociology of Welfare.
Acclaim for Wei Djao and A Humanist Path
Luminous, original, a book in a class of its own, this easy-to-read exegesis of the two most prominent philosophical classics in China takes a probing look at their historical backgrounds and the inner virtues, moral standards, and ethical conducts promoted by the two ancient schools of thoughts, which are adeptly juxtaposed and carefully explored, all through a humanist lens.
While living most of her life in North America, Professor Djao is exceptionally well versed in Chinese classics and in elegant command of interpreting them; the confident yet thoughtful inquiry is informed by her profound cross-cultural experience, in-depth knowledge in history and society, and her acute awareness of the persistent myths in the West surrounding the teachings of the two ancient giants of human civilization, Confucius and Lao Zi. The enriching non-Western perspectives deepen our critical understanding of ourselves and the West in the post-pandemic 21st Century. For those of us interested in the wellbeing of ourselves as individuals and the society as a whole, and curious about a humanist path, a virtuous way of life, towards peace, benevolence, and health, this book tells us how and why.
– Howard Xie, Professor of Humanities, Seattle WA
The need for a new values system to help guide the human race through to the next stage in our evolution, free of stagnant religious doctrine, may have already been given to us. In ‘A Humanist Path’, Wei Djao reveals the ancient wisdom of Chinese philosophers Confucius and Lao Zi, and connects their concepts of morality and ethical behaviour with those of modern day Humanists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. A scholarly work with relevance for today’s concerns.
– Ken Bole, Scarborough ON
Wei Djao’s book is written in a clear conversational tone. It’s easy to understand but also quite deep, learned but not overly academic. It’s the kind of book you want to read a little, mull over for a bit, and then come back to again. This is the book for you if you are curious about Chinese culture and Chinese classical philosophy.
Educated in China and in North America, familiar with the Chinese Classics and also the Western reader, Wei Djao is uniquely qualified to explain the classical Chinese philosophers to us. Her fresh insights show the relevance of Lao Zi and Confucius to our western world today. Separated by time and culture, the human condition we share connects us to their lives and their words.
It also has useful appendices, an extensive bibliography, and an index.
– L. Padorr, B.A. East Asian Studies, University of Toronto
Wei Djao has written a clear, straightforward introduction to the major schools of Chinese philosophy for a Western audience. Her book not only places the development of the teachings of both Confucius and Lao Zi in their historical and cultural context, but also demonstrates how much of both philosophical schools are relevant for all times and all cultures.
– Moses Klein
This book is an exceptional examination of what it means to be a humanist. An important premise of the book is that one does not have to be religious to be involved in building a just and compassionate society. The humanist philosophies of Confucius and Lao Zi educate us on the paths and possibilities for anyone who aspires to be a humanist. The book helps us consider these philosophies and the historical premises that put forward the ‘golden rule’ of being human.
– Dr. Adrienne S. Chan, Professor Emeritus, Vancouver BC
Today, in my senior years, philosophy and wisdom have become an increasing topic of interest and reflection. The book provides me with an appreciation of some ancient Chinese history. Understanding the Sages, expressing their ancient philosophy, wisdom and lessons of wellbeing, are encouraging markers for consideration on one’s journey, on a Humanist Path.
– Doug Baker, an honoured friend
Rather than focusing on religion, this book takes readers on an intellectual odyssey that explains how the two major Chinese schools of thought, Confucian and daoist, have origins in moral and social philosophy”.
– Professor Aminur Rahim, Senior Research Fellow, Institute Of Bangladesh Studies (IBS), University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
A powerful and cogent assessment of humanist philo-sophy in ancient Chinese wisdom, uniquely presented in this book, examines the teachings of Confucius and Lao Zi as recorded in the Lun Yu and the Book of Lao Zi. The ideas of these thinkers are considered humanist because they are not claimed to have come from God, the gods, or any supernatural sources. The author has expertly put forth humanist and atheist philosophies, perspectives and practices, applying them to life in 21st century worldwide.
Humanist morality, harmony and ethics, derived from the influences of the ancient Chinese philosophers and from learning to adopt a peaceful and non-theological way of living, are carefully proposed and discussed in A Humanist Path. “
– Dr. Cheryl Mead, Scientist, Evolutionary Biology & Ecology, Tucson AZ
A meaty romp through the avenues of time, the author challenges our beliefs, our place in the universe, our very being. Each chapter feeds us tasty morsels of reality fueling our thoughts along the path giving us much to chew on. Bite in and enjoy.”
– Ruth Gill, Member at West Hill United Church of Canada, Toronto ON
I just finished reading Wei Djao’s book last night. What a fine and amazing compendium of ancient Chinese history and philosophy!
I read A Humanist Path from cover to cover; then reread chapters 1-3. I am left feeling humbled and contemplative.
Congratulations to Wei Djao on this excellent book and such an awesome achievement! Thank you for digging so deep into your reservoir of knowledge and elucidating for the rest of us how humanism is an integral part of ancient Chinese wisdom and cultural development.
I enjoyed reading a little beginner’s book on the dao when I was working in HK, but had no idea about the disparity between the daoist philosophy and the religion.
– K. L. Liu, Canada
Superb study of humanism and Chinese philosophy! The main thrust of this book is to show how Confucius and Lao Zi, who founded the two main philosophical traditions in China, were actually humanists in that they came to their ideas through reasoning and observation, without any supernatural influences. The book is an in-depth study of the times these men lived in and the ideas prevalent then. As an amateur astronomer, I was delighted to learn more than I already knew about Chinese exploration of the skies, especially that it was a Chinese astronomer, Gan De, who first viewed the moons of Jupiter, using nothing more than a bamboo reed, a full two millennia before Galileo spied them with a telescope. The author states that this book “is meant to enrich the contemporary humanist worldview” by showing how Confucius and Lao Zi contributed to it, and I believe she succeeds in doing this.
– Kay Lehman, Nurse educator and amateur astronomer in Arizona
Having been an editor in a previous life, I was pleased and honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the writing of Wei Djao’s A Humanist Path. Focussing on the writings of Confucius and Lao Zi, the book provides an accessible and engaging overview of ancient Chinese philosophy for novices such as myself. Moreover, Wei Djao takes a very personal approach, beginning with her own journey to appreciating these wise men. As a fellow Humanist, I welcome this introduction to a way of living a meaningful, value-filled life without religion.
– Tanya Long, M.Phil., Member of the Humanist Association of Toronto
I had been looking for a book exactly like this for a long time. That is, a book that explains the Chinese classics and relates their teachings to modern life. Wei Djao does it perfectly with a combination of academic rigour and personal insights and anecdotes.
– L. Robles, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada