Product Description

Now a generation of readers can be charmed and inspired by this witty, sophisticated author. This book looks at the ideas inspired by Taoism that treat a wide variety of subjects about life in general. By the author of "This Book Needs No Title" and "Alice in Puzzleland".

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240622 in Books
• Published on: 1993-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Customer Reviews

Insightful Reflections on the Tao (silent, can not be named)
This book is a set of insightful reflections on Taoist philosophy and zen statements written by (of all people) a mathematical logician. The author provides the reader many serious and even humorous discourses about life and the path we choose to live. It is filled with amazing logic that is applied to the Taoist statements which become more clear and precise ... from this perspective.

Here is the approach the author takes: he describes how the Tao is formless, it is silent, it is vague, it does not command and does not argue ... He then discusses how the Tao can be proven to 'exist'. He delves into why the Tao is spontaneous and how it manages to remain leisurely, too. There are discussions on selfishness, altruism, "trusting one's true nature", "letting things go their own way" vs "on making an effort" adn "on the art of management". One of the shortest but most erudite chapters is entitled, "abiding in the Tao". The Taoist abides in the Tao not becasue it is his duty, nor because he is commanded to, neither is he afraid of the Tao ... he does so ... because "he loves to". While the true Tao is nameless, the Tao that is named, becomes the "Mother of all beings". Also, Smullyan tells us, "this unnamed Tao is more serene, 'more truly itself' than the named Tao."

This book does not take a conventional approach to describing Taoist philosophy, instead through the author's particular unique lense we get insight into this paradoxical subject. The book is replete with examples of Taoist and Zen sayings and logical comparisons which enhance the author's viewpoint of life. Reading this book is a pleasant experience for anyone wanting to explore how Chinese philosophy relates to life. Erika Borsos (bakonyvilla)

A personal and subtle look at life and Taoism
Having recently become interested in Oriental philosophy, I purchased this book hoping to discover a litte more about Taoism. It did indeed deepen my understanding, but not in a way that I had initally expected. Written not as a formal text, The Tao is Silent consists of a series of deeply personal essays written entirely from the perspective of the author. The idea of the Tao is introduced at the beginning, and the remainder of the essays cover topics ranging from morality to astrology. If you are looking for a rigorous analytical text then you will be disappointed by the rambling, easy style. Smullyan does not so much explain what Taoism is as leave you with an *impression*, illustrated with examples from his own experience. Personally, I found that some of the points at the beginning of the were a bit laboured, but the rest is truly wonderful. I would recommend this book, perhaps not to those who want to know what Taoism is, but to those who want to know how it feels.