About
Lao Tse (or Laozi) is a semi-legendary Chinese philosopher, traditionally regarded as the founder of Daoism and the author of the Daodejing (Tao Te Ching). His biography, written by Sima Qian around 100 BCE, presents him as an older contemporary of Confucius and an archivist at the Zhou court. According to tradition, his family name was Li, his given name Er, and his courtesy name Dan. Modern scholars doubt his historical existence and date the Daodejing, a composite text, to the Warring States period (5th–4th century BCE). His central teachings concern the Dao (the Way), wuwei (non-action), simplicity, and naturalness. Venerated as a deity in religious Daoism, he was also claimed as an imperial ancestor by the Tang dynasty.
Major works
- Daodejing (c. 4th century BCE)philosophical text
Key milestones
- c. 100 BCESima Qian writes the first biography of Lao Tse in the Shiji.
- c. 300 BCEThe oldest manuscripts of the Daodejing (Guodian bamboo slips) are dated to this period.
- 618–907The Tang dynasty emperors claim Lao Tse as an imperial ancestor.
Themes
The Dao (the Way)Wuwei (non-action)SimplicityNaturalnessWisdom and governance
Sources: plato.stanford.edu · britannica.com