ERIC Number: EJ1163056
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1857
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Acting without Regarding: Daoist Self-Cultivation as Education for Non-Dichotomous Thinking
Sta. Maria, Joseph Emmanuel D.
Educational Philosophy and Theory, v49 n12 p1216-1224 2017
In this article, I show how resources for an education for non-dichotomous thinking can be drawn from the two Daoist texts, the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi. Dichotomous thinking can be defined as thinking that considers things in terms of strict and even irreconcilable dichotomous oppositions. The authors of the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi are known for their criticism of such dichotomous thinking. At the same time however, these authors seem to fall into this very kind of thinking which they criticize. That is to say, the Daodejing and the Zhuangzi often promote adherence to conventionally "lower" values over "higher" ones. I believe though that this tension can be resolved if viewed through a pedagogical framework. Specifically, the adherence to "lower values" can be seen as the initial step in the process of Daoist self-cultivation where one reduces the artificial distinctions one adheres to in order to prepare one's disposition for union with Dao, which in turn entails non-dichotomous thinking.
Descriptors: Educational Philosophy, Asian Culture, Teaching Methods, Individual Development, Religion, Thinking Skills, Criticism, Values
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
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