Lao Zi:Three New Approaches to Its Philosophic Ideas

This paper recounts the three important breakthroughs in the interpretation of the philosophical thought of Lao Zi in the history of ancient Chinese Laoism. The first is Wang Bi's interpretation of Lao Zi by means of metaphysics, which led to the establishment of a set of philosophical system of ontology. The second is the elucidation with Zhong Xuan of Lao Zi by Cheng Xuanying et. al of the Tang Dynasty, thereby enriching and enhancing the connotation of metaphysics. The third is the interpretation with the doctine of Xin Xing of Lao Zi in Post-Song Dynasties. The three breakthroughs in the interpretation of the philosophical thought of Lao Zi not only become one of the central components in Laoism but also a very improtant part in Chinese philosophy, particularly in the development of Taoism.