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Why Is “Following Human Nature Called Dao”?
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Abstract:
The doctrine of “following human nature is called Dao” in The Doctrine of the Mean illustrates the corresponding relationship between “human nature” and “Dao”, carrying anthropological and cosmological implications. The goal of this paper is to demonstrate the correspondence between human nature and Dao using the methods of anthropology and biology. Dao represents the rule of conduct (movement), and material can form things by adhering to these rules. Consequently, the rule of conduct can be transformed into a spatial structure as a temporal structure, thus forming the essence of everything. This essence originates from Dao and embodies the nature of the corresponding conduct rule, establishing a correspondence between “human nature” and “Dao”. As the universe has evolved from basic particles to human beings, human nature encompasses all essential rules of conduct required for human generation, recording every correct choice of rules to overcome various challenges and ultimately give rise to human beings. Therefore, human nature encapsulates all the rules of the universe. Our development from a single cell to such complex human beings necessitates an increasing value of cooperation and combination, rendering human nature inherently good. Given that nature contains form information and conduct rules, which can be passed on to future generations, it follows that human nature corresponds to genes. According to modern human gene theory, the human genome represents a learning achievement accumulated over 4 billion years. As “human nature” corresponds to “Dao”, individuals can discern Dao through observing the outcomes of spontaneous actions and introspecting nature. However, in comparison with the universe, humans are limited, thus possessing only the potential to uncover all aspects of Dao through human nature. It is only through concerted “civilizing” efforts that individuals can achieve a partial understanding of Dao.
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