The Textual Transformation of the Laozi Through the Lens of History of Thought

Abstract

EDITOR’S ABSTRACT This paper discusses the Laozi from the perspective of the history of thought. Rather than trying to establish one correct edition and interpretation of Lao Zi’s work, Wang Bo traces the evolution from a political interpretation (until the Western Han) toward a more esoteric and life-cultivating reading (in the Eastern Han). He shows how these different interpretations may have influenced the text itself. Focusing on differences between the recently acquired Peking University Han Bamboo Slips version and the transmitted edition, he analyzed two cases of remarkable variants: the description of the Way as “profuse” versus “hidden,” and “having desire” versus “having the Way.”