Thinking Like Dao: Environmental Virtue Ethics in Daoism

Friday, October 18, 2024
11:00 AM (ST)

ABSTRACT:
This dissertation aims to establish that Daoist ethics can be understood as a form of
environmental virtue ethics, grounded in the Laozi (?) and the Zhuangzi (?), and
supplemented by the Huainanzi (?). Specifically, the central argument is that the Daoist key concept of wuwei (?? non-action) can be interpreted as a moral virtue and,
furthermore, as an environmental virtue-either as a virtue of environmental stewardship or as a virtue of communion with nature. The ultimate objectives of cultivating wuwei, along
with other Daoist environmental virtues-including care (? ci), courage(? yong), frugality (? Jian), not-contending (? buzheng), and simplicity (? pu)-are to help natural
entities return to their state of ziran (? self-so-ness) and to assist virtuous individuals in achieving xiaoyaoyou (? carefree wandering) with nature.

IN-PERSON:
Sakamaki Hall D-302

JOIN via ZOOM:
https://hawaii.zoom.us/j/95259439896

DISSERTATION COMMITTEE:
Prof. Franklin Perkins (Chair), Prof. Steve Odin, Prof. George Tsai, Prof. Masato Ishida, and Prof. Hong Jiang (University Representative)