The Pristine Dao: Metaphysics in Early Daoist Discourse

SUNY series in Chinese Philosophy and Culture

by Thomas Michael

A new reading of Daoism, arguing that it originated in a particular textual tradition distinct from Confucianism and other philosophical traditions of early China.

Genres: Taoism

170 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

About the author

Thomas Michael is Associate Professor at the Beijing Normal University, China. He specializes in early Chinese religion, philosophy, and shamanism, and is the author of The Pristine Dao: Metaphysics in Early Daoist Discourse.

Reviews

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A completely different way to approach the study of Daoism. The book attempts to show that there has always been one continuous discourse of Daoism as opposed to the traditional split between the early "philosophical Daoism" and the later "religious Daoism." Recommended for any East Asian religion scholar interested in Daoism.