Episode 25: Daoist Utopia

About this episode

This episode explores Chapter 80 of the Daodejing, discussing Daoist social ideals and the concept of a simple agrarian utopia.

In this episode, we delve into Chapter 80 of the Daodejing, one of the most vivid portraits of Daoist social ideals. We unpack its vision of a “simple agrarian utopia,” where people live in small communities, ignore labor-saving tools, and resist the endless chase for more. Along the way, we discuss political minimalism, technological restraint, contentment in daily life, and radical localism, asking what it would mean to be satisfied even while knowing other or "better" possibilities exist. ...

People in this episode

Hosts: Richard Kim, Justin Tiwald

Topics covered

• Daoism
• social ideals
• agrarian utopia
• political minimalism
• technological restraint
• contentment
• localism

Keywords

• Daoism
• Daodejing
• agrarian utopia
• political minimalism
• technological restraint
• contentment
• localism

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Daodejing

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