Life - On The Early Taoism Bioethics Thought,

Life and ethics are in a quite complex relationship. Life is an issue studied by the natural science while ethics is an issue studied by the philosophy of morality and that of value. Seen from human existence and ideals, the two have an inner connection.Through studies on the bioethical thoughts of the early Religious Taoism, this thesis analyzes its rich theoretical implications and values. On the basis of succeeding and developing the "theory of Tao-as-the-origin" as advocated by the Taoist School, the early Religious Taoism places more emphasis on the value of life. It not only concerns the flesh life but pays more attention to the moral life, and by connecting morality with life, it forms the important thoughts of "becoming-immortal-by-accumulating-virtues". The bioethical thoughts of the early Religious Taoism are mainly reflected in the life ideals of pursuing ever-living and becoming immortal in this life as well as in all sorts of operating ideas to prolong life. The sacredness of the value of life and moralization of the process of life are important characteristics of the bioethical thoughts of the early Religious Taoism.As a rational thinking over life, the bioethical thoughts of the early Religious Taoism have important inspiration to the modern society: firstly, it helps for us to cultivate the cosmic feeling of "valuing life and caring all things on earth"; secondly, it helps for us to show solicitude for the real life and to promote our mental realm; thirdly, it helps for us to attach importance to moral life, to keep in good health with virtue, and to promote the quality of life besides exercising the flesh life.