Representation of Tao as the Key Concept of Chinese Culture in Ancient Philosophical Treatises: Peculiarities of Chinese and Russian Concepts

Abstract

The broad semantic representation of the concept “Tao” is shown on the example of ancient Chinese philosophical treatises: “Lun yu”, “Tao de jing”, “Zhong-tzu”, “Mo-tzu”, “Xun-tzu” and “Sun-tzu”. The presentation of these works is nominated in contemporary Chinese studies by the term “Chinese Yuandian”, emphasizing the influential power of the most important original philosophical treatises. The conceptual substantiation of “Tao” and the timeless value of its conceptual perception determined the purpose of this article: i. e., to show the formation of the concept of “Tao” in the philosophical system of Lao-tzu and to reveal the versatility of interpretations of “Tao” by different schools in the history of Chinese civilization; to present
analysis of the evolution of its representation by modern Chinese researchers and Russian sinologists. The article makes an attempt to represent the concept “Tao” within the framework of linguocognitive approach through the methods of conceptualization and categorization. The study analyzes the representation of the concept “Tao” in Lao-tzu in three main aspects of philosophy: ontological, epistemological and axiological. The description of the construction of the concept “Tao” in Lao-tzu’s philosophical system is aimed at the perception of the interpretations of “Tao” by other schools in Chinese culture. The conclusion about the spread of the influential power of “Tao” beyond Taoism determined the impact of Lao-tzu’s philosophical thought on other iconic thinkers of the Pre-Qin schools. The similarities and differences in the interpretation of “Tao” as the same keyword used by all the Pre-Qin schools are vividly reflected in the Chinese yuandian, indicating the universally recognized status of “Tao” in Chinese culture. 

Keywords:

Chinese culture, Tao, key concept, Chinese yuandian, philosophical system of Laotzu, Russian sinology