Illustrations of the Tao

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
10/20/09
Illustrations of the Tao

I believe that the most important aspect of the Tao are the Duties to Parents, Elders, Ancestors. It may seem as if this law is worthless compared to the other stated by Lewis, however i believe that it is the simplest and most significant because we have been following it our whole lives. Since we are born we are taught to love our piers and be respectful to others, but more importantly to those who gave us life and those who influenced us, even if they negatively influenced us. I feel that if we were to dispel all other laws and aspects that Lewis states, we would find that they all sort of revolve around this one. I have always been told that when something goes wrong, whether you break your arm or even the law and your actions become unjust, that my family will always be there for me. Now, as corny as that sounds, or even if you absolutely hate your parents or elders with the passion, they will always be there for you. It is our obligation to show them respect so that we wont only receive love and compassion back, but respect as well.

An additional aspect that could be added to Lewis' list of aspects could be that of insight or subjective value. The Tao or natural law is constructed around the value of objectivism. I personally believe that what needs to be added to Lewis' list of aspects is a small fraction of subjectivism or insight. If we see things objectively we see things through a very clear lens. However, we as humans need to incorporate emotions and our own insight on things into what we see because that is what defines us. Objective art, for example, is art that leaves little room for interpretation. What enhances art is the multiple ways in which one can interpret it and give their own insight or perception. It is not bad to see things differently that everyone else or see things differently than they actually are. This is also what makes our youth so interesting and happy all of the time. They see things in a completely different way we do, or an objective person would, which allows them to sort of acknowledge their inner self. I am not saying that personal insight is the way to go or that the teachings of The Green Book were right, but that they most certainly should not be discredited.