Taoism: A Perspective to Transcend Cultural Indoctrination
             Cultural values are so embedded in the minds of individuals that opposing viewpoints are often viewed as unworthy, absurd, or just plain wrong. This attitude, known as ethnocentrism, can be seen within cultures as well as between cultures. It is an attitude that makes one feel superior to those who are different, and it provides such obvious answers that a person does not examine his or her own thoughts and behavior critically. Ethnocentrism and cultural distance work together to create perceived dissimilarity. Dissimilarity results in conflict, and conflict results in negative stereotypes. To view everything about an individualist culture, such as Canada, as better than that of a collectivist culture, such as China, or vice versa, or to ask questions that lead to choosing between the two will only propogate the problem further. The traditional Taoist philosophy of China which places humankind in, not apart from, nature has already contributed essential elements to the personal philosophies of some Canadians who once held strict orthodox Western views of humankind as sinners and masters of all. I will attempt to show how acceptance of Taoism, through a spirit of tolerant disinterest, can bridge the gap caused by ethnocentric attitudes. Further, I will show that even though the concepts of ethnocentrism, individualism, collectivism, and other terms used to distinguish dissimilarities may appear useful, they are, in fact, useless when viewed from the reality of Tao.
             The English word "culture" can be defined as a set of ideas or human beliefs that form the basis for everyday behavior. Harry Triandis defines culture as "the human-made part of the environment" (1). He further divides cultures into their objective aspects, such as tools and roads, and their subjective aspects, such as norms, roles and values. The subjective aspect is what influences our behav...