Since the beginning of time, humans have been bewildered by many questions. Questions such as morality, ethics, creation, and virtue. Many different types of philosophies have attempted to answer these questions, some have failed and others have succeeded. These philosophies are difficult to understand because many of them were written centuries ago. Also the languages used by them are not used today. Our mission as peaceful and humanitarian individuals is to seek out the best possible philosophy and improve it, if necessary.

The "Tao Te Ching" is one of the most ancient and mysterious philosophy, still circulating in many eastern societies. Its origins is unknown as well as the writer of the manuscript. For thousands of years many famous eastern philosophers have tried to make some sense of the "Tao Te Ching." However, all of the interpretations range from extreme selflessness to conservation. It is difficult to tell which interpretation is the Tao's true meaning. Neither interpretation is better than the other, they are simply different. Therefore, to find the best one we must examiner all sides of the "Tao Te Ching."

The "Tao Te Ching" has set off many changes in china and around world. Many have tried to grasp it true meaning. Of coarse, a solid and clear meaning is difficult to achieve, because each one of us see things differently. The "Tao Te Ching" is very similar to the bible in the sense to it illustrates certain points that tell how one should live one's life. However, then one runs into trouble because the world is full of religions and cultures. The Worlds has rules, as humans we must find them. The key is to be happy and live in harmony with our surroundings. If each and everyone of us achieves this the world would be a better place.

Meaning, without desire the final destination is accomplished. However, it is impossible to live without desire because everything one does is a desire. Everything an individual does is out of their self-interest. Self-interest is carried out by desire. If one eliminates desire then the self-interest of the individual is obsolete. Any religion which asks of its followers to be obsolete is asking for the impossible. Tao encounters other problems, however, this is one that is obvious.

Another Philosopher who put extensive effort on the "Tao Te Ching" is Lieh Tzu. Lieh Tzu takes a very different approach then all the others. He believed that self is the most important (310). It is said that this idea of self preservation is not originally Lieh Tzu. It originally belong to "Yang Chu", however, he incorporated it into his doctrine (309). His main emphasis is on the self and the uncontrollable affects of "fate" (313). Since fate is uncontrollable and the self is, one should preserve the self to the fullest, because one never knows if fate will take its toll (313). Effort has no affect on fate, however, fate is not responsible for any misfortune. Reason being, fate has no free-will over its action (313). Lieh Tzu express a very different view of the Tao, however, he illustrates an interesting point that without the "self" nothing that Tao says can be accomplished.

Wang Pi indicates his view of Tao in the shape of the hexagram. The six sides are the ruling factor of the world (319). Understanding the ruling factor work with one another to design chain of control (319). Control creates principle. Principle creates peace (319). Wang Pi indicates that the rules are break randomly, however, the way back to the righteous path is by return to the rules (320). Wang Pi took a realist approach to ethics, the law rules the land (321). However, law is like a double edge sword. Placing emphasis on law sets up a dilemma, because too much law leads to revolution and too little leads to anarchy. Another flaw with Wang Pi's law theory is law is something that is tangible. The Tao is something that is suppose to intangible. Wang Pi doctrine goes away mysterious and esoteric customs. However, Wang Pi keeps some concepts constant.

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Approximate Word count = 2065
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)