As a person who favors philosophies as Nihilism and Taoism, though teaching total openness and lack of judgment towards anything or anyone there is a clear problem. Nihilism has surfaced in association to the decay of morality in several wars, because of a why not and take matters into your own hands mentality. Taoist where the leaders during the most brutal Chinese dynasties, such as: T'ang. Where does the problem begin?
A visionary's nature is to solve problems envisioning a brighter future. An artist's nature is to create and share. A hero's nature is to boldly go into dangerous situations. A manager's nature is to make the envisioned future become reality. It appears philosophers envisioning and creating the new future where optimistic feeling as though if everyone was themselves and allowed to be themselves all problems of the world would end.
There are few differences in the core philosophy of Nihilism and Taoism. One difference is the appearance of creature spirits. Taoists believe creature spirits are guardians of earth and it is believed we once communicated with the spirits until our own selfish needs caused a rift between us. Nihilists consider creature spirits another form of Rationalism propelling individuals to act against logic.
Confucianism was created by a person growing up as royalty in ancient China. He wanted to live a fulfilling life without challenging the existing, violent Emperors or Empresses. They often engaged in killing potential competitors out of desiring power and fearing their own families.
Taoism emerged later stating Confucianism was too conservative and lacking any feeling towards a person's individual needs. Lao Tse is credited as the originator of the movement. He worked in the capital of China for many years, rose through the ranks only to retire and become a chicken farmer along the Yangtze River.
Buddhism originates from Buddha, a Prince constantly going from battle to battle until realizing he could change tactics if truly wanting peace. Buddhists were more successful in maintaining peace. The meditations are almost an outline of Chinese history. First a person reviews the values of working to gain objects in the judicial style of Confucius. Then a person reviews the values of being totally open minded to all people and their lives. This is important; however, I believe the great difference is the emphasis on an individual's being. As their own God, who is responsible for decisions and greater context of life?
Essentially, between all the many people roaming the earth an individual is most responsible for how they behave towards others. In addition, in avoiding judgment a person may want to tell another how they should act and the person is able to offer feedback stating whether or not they also feel it is a good idea. If all else fails a person relies on an automatic response of self-preservation to avoid engaging in harmful activities, harmful to others or harmful to others in turn causing harm to themselves.
This is not complete. In total acceptance of each other a person might retaliate with varying opinions. Though another may manipulate saying they must accept everyone, there is no reason to participate in the other persons behavior. If this is not enough, individuals may say, "I am my own God and decide to choose another path. You should respect this," ending the debate on how a person lives their own life.
I believe people are best when able to pursue and act on life in the way they feel the most virtuous even when this virtue compels them to manipulate and control other people. They are even virtuous when telling another person they see them or their ideas as flawed. People imagine lofty, happy people without problems; however, many problems are avoided when a person is who they really are: attempt to subvert pitfalls, fix problems and openly express themselves even if it counters another person's opinion by downsizing their ego. A defense is in anticipating someone will attempt to downsize their ego.
Of course these are issues wherein everyone maintains freewill. Freewill and accepting the consequences of decisions whether they are favorable or harmful is part of life. The intersection or arbitrator preventing a loss of freewill to another is also a unique virtue often seen as hypocritical. However, they are defending values stating everyone is entitled to make their own decisions. If someone attempted to impose their will upon me, I would be happy to find allies to defend my personal space. Though understanding they believe everyone would be as happy living as they do.
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