MASUK LEBIH DALAM: MEMAHAMI KONTRADIKSI-KONTRADIKSI TAOISME

Abstract

Taoism, in the book of Tao Te Ching, provides confused and contradictory
propositions and phrases. They seem absurd and ridicule. However, why do many people employ it as one of the popular wisdom of the east? Having investigated and contemplated them, contradictory and confused propositions cover their deepest meanings. Firstly, Taoism attracts us to contemplate the unstable reality deeply. This reality challenges our formal concepts regarding methods, norms and values. Secondly, delving into Tao Te Ching’s contradictions will make us realise the limitation of reason used in terms of calculations. This way is so spatio-temporal limited. However, this is understandable because the focus is about tao, which is beyond worldly things. Thus, contradictons are part of limited expression before the tao and also sort of approaches toward tao, the absolute one.