What were the main ideas of daonism?

Answer 1

Dao - 'the road / the way'- would seem to indicate a school of philosophy that prescribes a lot of specific 'ways': to yourself, others, salvation or whatever. But instead, it leaves most of that thinking to you, only telling you not to encumber yourself with what the rules of society or authority would tell you to think.

This is because Daoism has its origin as a reaction to Confucianism, which it saw as a rigid, detailed, traditional pattern of hierarchical social behavior.In ancient China, Daoism was mainly an opposition to authority, government, coercion, and even to normal socialization. Against Confucianist theories that aimed at a highly structured society and a correspondingly structured and conformist way of thinking - today's Singapore might in this sense be seen as a typically Confusianist society - Daoism put skepticism, toleration and political anarchism - or at least disinterest in political involvement.

This last point fits in nicely with the Daoist idea of non-interference with the 'natural' development of events. The focus on 'the way' to anything instead of on ambition and pre-determined results brings its adherents to strive for the simple life, letting things happen naturally.