Scientific Interpretation of Laozi’s Dao De Jing

Since its composition, Laozi’s Dao De Jing has been interpreted variously—as political strategy, metaphysical doctrine, religious scripture, or a guide for personal cultivation. Yet these readings are often constrained by historical reductionism, philological disputes, or religious mystification, thereby obscuring the true essence of Laozi’s thought. This paper advances a scientific interpretation through the lens of systems science and modern cosmology. Employing the framework of the “Lao-Yang Genesis Cosmology,” it reexamines the formulation—“Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things”—as a philosophical expression of cosmic evolution. In doing so, it reveals profound insights into cosmic genesis, natural order, and human governance. Such a reading not only modernizes Laozi’s philosophy but also provides intellectual resources for humanity amid ecological crises and civilizational transformation. 关键词 · Keywords：老子 Laozi；道德经 Dao De Jing；系统科学 Systems Science；宇宙观 Cosmology；老-杨创世纪宇宙观 Lao-Yang Genesis Cosmology.