Underlying the Chinese cultural heritage are about a dozen schools of thought dating
from as early as the seventh century BC, when Guan Zhong and his ideas emerged in relation to the later development of the legalist school.
The most important of these schools are known as Confucianism and Taoism in terms of their historical continuity and influence. The founder of Confucianism is naturally identified with Confucius. As regards Taoism, Lao Zi is mostly recognized as its founder despite the fact that the details of his life and work remain controversial here I'll give a brief account of Lao Zi and his doctrine of the Tao.
Lao Zi's life and work
Almost all the different opinions about Lao Zi's life and work appeared to focus on the dispute as to whether Confucius was preceded by Lao Zi or vice versa they can thus be generalized into to main tendencies as follows: one holds that Lao Zi was an older contemporary of Confucius, who lived in the latter part of the Spring and autumn period and his doctrines are presented in the book titled the Tao Te Ching. The other argues that Lao Zi was born after Confucius and lived during the warring states period, as there are indications in the Tao the Ching that was compiled in that era.
According to the biography of Lao Zi as given by Sima Quan and his historical records "Lao Zi was a native of Qurenli village, in the state of Chu. He once served as the head of the national Library during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty. Confucius visited the capital of the Dynasty where he asked Lao Zi about the rites...
In short we conclude that the Tao the Ching was completed in late spring and autumn period. Nevertheless, its original text was slightly different from what it looks like today that is owing to certain modifications and additions it underwent in the course of its history, during the warring states period in particular.
We must keep in mind the fact that it was originally written on bamboo slips which are notorious for its tendency to fall apart and be put back in the wrong order by careless readers. This position is even more understandable when we see with our own eyes the minor changes in wording in the two silk copies of the Tao Te Ching unearthed from the same tune at the same time in 1973 . I personally appreciate the argument that it is far more significant to read and study the book as it is