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Part of the book: The Work and Thought of Jean Grenier (1898-1971)

J. S. T. Garfitt

MHRA Texts and Dissertations 20

Modern Humanities Research Association

FrenchPhilosophyopen

Abstract.  Taoism had a particular interest for Grenier because it offered a historical example of a doctrine of the Absolute taken to its logical conclusion in terms of an attitude of total indifference. Other religions and philosophies of the Absolute all seemed to him to reveal serious compromise when compared with Taoism. That did not mean, however, that he lost interest in them. Indeed, he was well aware that Taoism represented an esoteric Oriental attitude. His study of Taoism encouraged him to explore elements of more accessible Western traditions that showed similarities with it, especially in the areas of an immediate contact with the Absolute and of an accompanying attitude of indifference to the world.

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