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wuwei
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wuwei

Chinese philosophy
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Also known as: wu-wei
Written by
Matt Stefon
Matt Stefon was a religion editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica. He earned B.A. degrees in English and American studies from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in religion and literature and an...
Matt Stefon
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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Chinese:
“nonaction”; literally, “no action”
Wade-Giles romanization:
wu-wei
Key People:
He Yan
See all related content

wuwei, in Chinese philosophy, and particularly among the 4th- and 3rd-century-bce philosophers of early Daoism (daojia), the practice of taking no action that is not in accord with the natural course of the universe. Chinese thinkers of the Warring States period (475–221 bce) envisioned a dynamic universe that was constantly being generated. According to the Daoists, the entirety of the cosmos unfolds spontaneously (ziran) through the incessant fluctuations of the Way (Dao). All things in the universe—including all human beings—have in accord with this cosmic Way their own natural course, which, if unimpeded, leads to flourishing. However, human beings—through logical ...(100 of 234 words)

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