Write 800-1,000 words answering the following questions based on the week’s reading.
Pleases read the daodejing section 39-81! and label each question.
1. Do you agree with Schwitzgebel that Laozi is hateful? Why or why not? Give evidence from the text.
2. What is another potential hateful thinker, philosopher or otherwise. Do you believe there is value in listening to their ideas? Why?
3Schwitzgebel accuses Laozi of cheap paradox and sham profundity. Do you agree? Why or why not? Give three examples from the text (excluding examples already given by Schwitzgebel).
4.In comments, Justin Tiwald argues that these contradictions/paradoxes are tied into the main ideas of the text. What do you think he means by this? What are the main ideas hes referring to?
5.What is your favorite passage from the Daodejing? Why? What meaning does it have for you?
6.What is your least favorite passage from the Daodejing? Why? Whats so bad about it?
7.Why do you think the Daodejing has been so unbelievably influential over the last 2,500 years? What is it about the text that leads to such longstanding popularity and resonance?
one more source: https://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2007/03/dark-laozi.html