If science is the objective observation of the Natural World, just as Taoism takes an objective approach to its observation of The Way (Tao), then rational thought could be seen as the parallel to Taoism’s “Te”. Rational thought is our attempt to apply objective observation to human actions. Just as “Te” is our human attempt to connect the Tao with human experiences.
Both are objective approaches toward viewing the world, and both are a contrast to the; I/We are “special” human worldview. While the, I/we are “special” human outlook is the dominant worldview, it leads to imbalance when practiced by individuals and groups of people that possess so much power over other species and other people. It is easy to see how this specialness worldview could have grown out of the survival instinct that is present in all species. It’s overgrowth in our species comes to the detriment of nearly all other species and even Earth’s life support system, due to our successful pursuit of more comfortable and secure lives for ourselves. The very long human history of one group using their perceived “specialness” to the detriment of other less powerful groups actually points out our very lack of “specialness” and exposes our species as no more “special” than any other species.
Just as Taoism makes the observation of a duality (sometimes referred to as Yin and Yang) as the fundamental aspects of a singular Reality, science also sees particle and field as the fundamental constituents of Nature. I think of this duality as the forces of separation and connection. Where particle or Yang equates with separation and field or Yin equates with connection.
Think of how you feel when you feel resentment towards others; you want to demarcate the difference between yourself and those you feel resentment towards. Think of how you feel when you are attracted to someone; you want to create connection with that person. There is a parallel here, with particle and field if one examines it carefully. What is a particle but a very small bit of energy with clearly demarcated boundaries and what is a field but an invisible force which reaches out and influences everything within its range of space?
I have not made the case for this hypothesis with such a short synopsis, but it is an introduction at least. The rest of the writing in this category is about demonstrating the parallels mentioned herein.
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