Daoist thought is the root of science and technology in China.

The words of Joseph Needham, “Daoist thought is the root of science and technology in China,” are a revelation of history and philosophy intertwined. Needham, the great historian of Chinese science, recognized that Daoism, with its reverence for harmony, nature, and the flow of the Dao, provided not only spiritual guidance but also the intellectual soil from which science and technology in China first grew. He saw that inventions such as the compass, gunpowder, paper, and printing were not born merely of utility, but from a worldview that sought to align human practice with the forces of heaven and earth.

The origin of this insight lies in Needham’s monumental work, Science and Civilisation in China, where he traced how the Chinese, centuries before Europe’s scientific revolution, cultivated knowledge through observation, experimentation, and engineering. Unlike the Western tradition, which often divided science from spirit, Daoist thought merged them. The Daoists sought to understand the hidden flows of qi, the rhythms of yin and yang, and the transformations of the five elements. In doing so, they laid foundations for alchemy, medicine, astronomy, and mechanics. For Needham, this spiritual curiosity was not an obstacle but the very root of practical knowledge.

One need only recall the story of the Daoist alchemists who, in their search for the elixir of immortality, discovered new substances, reactions, and processes. Their quest was mystical, yet their results were technological: the early forms of gunpowder were born from such experiments. What began as a search for spiritual transcendence gave rise to a tool that changed the course of warfare and history. Here we see Needham’s truth: the Daoist drive to explore hidden powers yielded practical technologies that shaped civilization.

So too with Chinese medicine, grounded in Daoist principles of balance. The observation of the body as a microcosm of the cosmos led to acupuncture, herbal remedies, and holistic treatments that endure to this day. These practices were not abstract speculation but careful, cumulative science born from a philosophy that saw human life as interwoven with natural law. In this sense, Daoist thought was both mystical and empirical—seeking wisdom by watching the patterns of water, wind, and stars, and then applying them to human need.

The deeper meaning of Needham’s words is that the roots of science are not always rationalistic or mechanical. They often grow out of worldviews, myths, and spiritual traditions that encourage exploration of the unknown. Daoism, with its emphasis on aligning with the flow of the Dao, encouraged curiosity, experimentation, and harmony with nature—all essential to technological innovation. Where others saw mystery, the Daoist sought understanding. Where others sought dominance, the Daoist sought balance. From this balance came discoveries that nourished a civilization for millennia.

The lesson for us today is powerful: science and spirituality need not be enemies. The modern mind often divides them, but Needham’s insight reminds us that curiosity about the universe, whether framed as Dao or as physics, springs from the same human thirst for harmony with the world. To cultivate both reverence and inquiry is to walk the path of the ancients. To honor wisdom traditions while pursuing innovation ensures that technology serves life, rather than diminishing it.

So let us pass this teaching to the next generations: the root of science lies not only in cold calculation but in wonder and reverence. Just as Daoist sages looked to the rivers, the mountains, and the stars for guidance, so too must we look beyond utility to meaning. In your own life, pursue knowledge with humility, and let your technology grow not from greed or conquest, but from harmony with nature and humanity. For then, as Needham taught, your works will not only advance progress but also preserve the eternal balance of the world.