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The Metaphysics and Unnamability of the Dao in the Daodejing and Wittgenstein

The Metaphysics and Unnamability of the Dao in the Daodejing and Wittgenstein Abstract: In this essay it is argued that the dao of the Daodejing is neither a non-being nor anything transcending all senses, but a non-empty transforming unsummed totality that defies our ability to experience it, and thus dao is unnamable descriptively. For Laozi, one can grasp metaphysical insights concerning dao via the futile attempts to "force" a sign to "name" dao . Also, Laozi's views are compared with Wittgenstein's, and it is shown that Laozi has another option of holding that any sign "forced" to "name" dao must be meaningless. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Philosophy East and West University of Hawai'I Press

The Metaphysics and Unnamability of the Dao in the Daodejing and Wittgenstein

Philosophy East and West , Volume 67 (2) – Apr 25, 2017

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Publisher
University of Hawai'I Press
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 University of Hawai'i Press.
ISSN
1529-1898
Publisher site
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Abstract

Abstract: In this essay it is argued that the dao of the Daodejing is neither a non-being nor anything transcending all senses, but a non-empty transforming unsummed totality that defies our ability to experience it, and thus dao is unnamable descriptively. For Laozi, one can grasp metaphysical insights concerning dao via the futile attempts to "force" a sign to "name" dao . Also, Laozi's views are compared with Wittgenstein's, and it is shown that Laozi has another option of holding that any sign "forced" to "name" dao must be meaningless.

Journal

Philosophy East and WestUniversity of Hawai'I Press

Published: Apr 25, 2017

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