1. Laozi (老子, c. 6th–5th Century BCE)

• Core Philosophy
  • Dao (道, The Way): The natural order of the universe, beyond human constructs.
  • Wu Wei (无为, Non-Action): Achieving harmony through minimal interference.
  • Reversion (反者道之动): All things return to their roots (“The soft overcomes the hard”).
• Key Contributions
  • Authored the Dao De Jing (道德经), foundational text of Daoism.
  • Introduced paradoxical wisdom (“Knowing ignorance is strength”).
• Historical Significance
  • Provided a counterbalance to Confucian rigidity in Chinese thought.
• Enduring Influence
  • Inspired Chinese medicine, martial arts (Tai Chi), and anarchist movements.

2. Zhuangzi (庄子, c. 369–286 BCE)

• Core Philosophy
  • Relativism (齐物论): All perspectives are equal (“Butterfly Dream” parable).
  • Spiritual Freedom (逍遥游): Liberation from societal norms.
  • Skepticism of Language (言不尽意): Truth transcends words.
• Key Contributions
  • Wrote the Zhuangzi (庄子), blending poetry and philosophy.
  • Expanded Daoist metaphysics and epistemology.
• Historical Significance
  • Challenged Confucian moral absolutism.
• Enduring Influence
  • Shaped Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Chinese landscape painting aesthetics.

3. Liezi (列子, c. 4th Century BCE)

• Core Philosophy
  • Spontaneity (自然): Embrace life’s unpredictability.
  • Dream Theory (梦觉): Questioning reality (“Liezi’s Dream of the Butterfly”).
• Key Contributions
  • Compiled the Liezi (列子), a lesser-known but influential Daoist text.
• Historical Significance
  • Bridged Daoist mysticism and early Chinese naturalism.
• Enduring Influence
  • Indirectly influenced Chinese folklore and Taoist alchemy.