Confucius: Greetings, good sir, I am Confucius. I came in good faith to pontificate on the Tao and discuss the path that must be cultivated to harmonize one's life on a personal and societal level. How are you on this beautiful day? Zhuangzi: Greetings Confucius, I am Zhuangzi. I am glad you have come to this realm, for we can now seek mutual enlightenment in our quest for the Dao. So far, I am very peaceful today.Confucius: Well, Zhuangzi, I believe I know where the Dao is.Zhuangzi: Please enlighten me, Confucius!Confucius: I believe the Dao is found in the traditions of the fallen Zhou. Dynasty. This dynasty was a golden age for our great nation, and only the return to strict respect for Li, our societal rituals and traditions, will put us back on the path to success. Li was the cornerstone of our society before we gradually moved away from an emphasis on rituals. This detachment from ritual is a factor that fuels the current social and political crisis in our country. The Dao can be discovered through strict devotion to Li. Zhuangzi: I understand that our nation is in a perilous state due to political and social unrest. However, how did you determine your philosophy based on Li, Confucius? Confucius: I was not fortunate enough to know the Tao when I was born, nor do I claim to have irrefutable knowledge now. However, “I am simply one who loves antiquity and seeks knowledge there” (Confucius Book 7, CH 20). Looking back on the Zhou dynasty, I concluded that we must change our practices to model strict adherence to rituals in order to once again become a harmonized society. Zhuangzi: Our opinions seem to be in conflict, Confucius. I firmly believe that the practice of ritual is in no way crucial to the Tao. Rath... middle of document... because the non-action that keeps the process alive maintains legitimacy, I believe that true non-action results from the process of unlearning and returning to our original minds. Confucius: I continue. I cannot accept your arguments in their entirety as true. I believe that second nature is the result of a learned process rather than an instinctive quality. Zhuangzi: It seems that we have reached an impasse in our philosophical discussions. I have a feeling we won't make any progress from now on, but it was very nice talking with you, Confucius. Confucius: You too, Zhuangzi. Good luck in your philosophical endeavors. Works Cited Zhuangzi. Zhuangzi: Basic Writings. Trans. Burton. Watson.New York: Columbia UP, 2003. Print.Confucius. The essential interviews: selected passages with traditional commentary. Trans. Edward G. SlingerlandIndianapolis: Hackett Pub, 2006. Print.