Myth and Meaning in Early Taoism: The Theme of Chaos

by Norman J. Girardot

Myth and Meaning in Early The Theme of Chaos (HERMENEUTICS, STUDIES IN THE HISTORY OF RELIGIONS)

422 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1988

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is an inquiry into the nature of chaos in foundational Taoist (Daoist) texts such as the “Tao Te Ching” and “Chuang Tzu.” While it focuses ever more deeply in Taoist thought, it also provides a context in the many origin stories associated with the idea of chaos. The word “chaos” is Greek in origin and was contrasted by them with cosmos – the ordered heaven and earth. The term for chaos in Taoist thought is “hun-tun,” which is a non-dualistic state that is the origin of creation. Many Taoist narratives revolve around the idea of a fall from and return to this paradisiacal state of chaos.
Taoist metaphysics affirms that the cosmos originally came from and continually depends upon chaos. Chaos creates meaning in the world through a creative self-transformation that leads from a first stage of utter chaotic undifferentiation to the later fruition of an “ordered chaos” to the emergence of heaven and earth, yin and yang. The dynamics of these metaphysics are cyclical. Any new creation or transformation must necessarily be preceded by a return to the chaos condition, which precedes duality and makes possible spontaneity and freedom.
A brilliant and very quotable exploration of the multi-faceted perspectives on chaos in Taoist narratives.
"The truth of 'chaos' as a mythological and metaphysical principle maintains its integrity by revealing itself chaotically" (p. 275).