Journal Article

The Dao of One: A New Investigation into the Relation Between Dao and One

Lin, Pang, Feng, Cao, O'Neill, Rory

2023

Overview

Given they are the most important components of Daoist thought, it is not surprising that the relation between dao 道 and One ( yi 一) takes many forms. It is often presumed that dao is the higher-level concept and that One supplements dao . However, through studying ancient texts, such as the Huangdi sijing 黃帝四經 and the Heguanzi 鶡冠子, another form is discovered, namely that dao is the lower-level concept of One. Two schools may well have co-existed in early Daoism, one that \"values the One\" and one that \"values the dao .\" Whereas One refers to sameness or commonality, dao points to distinctness. The One can fully take the place of dao in terms of status and function, while also retaining functions that dao lacks. A fuller understanding of this complex relationship between dao and One is helpful for a more accurate grasp of early Daoism.

• Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press,University of Hawaii Press
• Subject: Analysis / Ontology / Schools / Tao / Taoism / Whole and parts