The Interpretation and Reconstruction of Laozi’s “Straightforward Words Seem Backwards”

• Main Authors: Pei-Chi Tseng, 曾珮琦
• Other Authors: 王邦雄
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/34135265642398766635

碩士 === 淡江大學 === 中國文學系碩士班 === 97 === The main objective of this paper is to try to understand the meaning and give an insight to Laozi’s “straightforward words seem backwards”. It also attempts to search for the context under which this term is being used in Laozi, thereby starting a research work on Laozi’s philosophy. By using the classic hermeneutics mode of the study, the author provides a philosophical analysis of “straightforward words seem backwards” by ways of lexical analysis and philosophy of principles analysis. Three questions can be raised on “Straightforward words seem backwards”: First, the question of conveying the meaning of “Tao”. “Tao” cannot be fully expressed in words, as words are inherently limiting while “Tao” has transcendental Being. However, without words Laozi cannot put across its ideas and so words are still used to express “Tao”. To overcome the limit of languages, Laozi coins the special term “straightforward words seem backwards”, thereby trying to express directly the intrinsic meaning of the inexpressible “Tao”. Second, the theory of cultivation of the self problem. When “backwards” translates to “return”, it means returning to oneself to do cultivation of the self, which, when consciously carried out, is the only way to finally realize the state of “Tao”. Third, the philosophy of political problem. “Straightforward words seem backwards” is used to discuss the problem on how to become to a sovereign, based on the context under which this phrase appears in Laozi. Laozi also uses “straightforward words seem backwards” mode of expression, when he discusses philosophy of politics in other chapters of Laozi. Therefore we know “straightforward words seem backwards” include philosophy of political problem. Two conclusions can be drawn from the study: Firstly, by analyzing the chapter of seventy-eight in Laozi we clearly understand the meaning of “Straightforward words seem backwards” and its implications of the problem. Secondly, the author demonstrates “Straightforward words seem backwards” is the key to interpretation in Laozi.