TaoismChinese philosophy, traditionally founded by the Chinese philosopher Lao Zi in the 6th century BC, identified with the Tao-chia (School of the Way). The philosophical system stems largely from the Tao-te-ching, a text traditionally ascribed to Lao Tzu but probably written in the mid-3d cent. B.C. Taoists believe that (1) there is a way the world should be, a way that, in some deep sense, it is; (2) human beings can understand this and need to have and follow such knowledge if they and the world are to exist in harmony; and (3) the world was once in such a state. Taoism is one of the four major religions of China (with Confucianism, Buddhism, and Chinese popular religion).