Implications of Taoist Thought for Environmental Education

Abstract

Both Lao Tzu and Zhuang Tzu believed that the Tao is the entity that constitutes the world, the driving force behind the creation of the universe, the law that governs the movement of all things, and the criterion for human behavior. Therefore, the supreme truth embodied in the Tao is the object of everyone’s pursuit and study. Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi emphasized “spiritual environmental protection”, living a simple life, reducing the pursuit of materialistic desires and upgrading the level of spirituality. This is because most of today’s environmental problems are caused by mankind’s endless greed and pursuit of materialistic desires, resulting in the depletion of resources and pollution of the environment.
Lao Tzu believed that life should be lived with the attitude of “ ruling by doing nothing “, not competing, not seeking, not being selfi sh, not being self-interested, and not treating everything with care. But “ ruling by doing nothing “ is not passive, it is “following nature”, and after “following nature”, positive results can be achieved. The teachings of Laozi and Zhuangzi provide a very good theoretical basis for environmental ethics and how to solve environmental problems, especially their attitude of “living with less desire and contentment”.