The Humanist Link between Heidegger and the "Tao Te Ching"

Abstract

Heidegger claims that his humanism is more primordial than those humanisms spawned by metaphysics. Unfortunately this primordial nature often results in a misinterpretation of Heidegger's humanism. Critics often expect Heidegger's humanism to deliver the same moral guidance that traditional (metaphysical) humanisms have previously provided. When Heidegger fails to deliver the same goods, he is attacked as being vague or ambivalent. In the following essay I intend to defend Heidegger against these criticisms, and suggest that looking at Heidegger's humanism in light of the Taoist concept of "Wu-Wei" may prompt the critic to re-evaluate his expectations and realize that they are inappropriate.