Abstract: Taoists concern deeply with the separation of human being from the cosmos, the social and political disputes and the splitting of the Art of Tao. The separation of human being from the cosmos results from anthropologically subjective impulse which tries to break away from its natural rootedness. Human being becomes more and more strange with the cosmos, and loses its basis of existence gradually. The separation of human being from the cosmos also results from the enlightenment of mentality and the invention of tool. Social progress and civilization bring tragic fate to human being at last! Laozi criticizes the progress and civilization based on cosmology, and constructs his social idea of “Back to Nature”; whereas Zhuangzi introduces his “consciousness of absurdity” and “art of life” based on the reflection of the validity of human cognition.

Key words: Taoist School, critique of civilization, cosmology, consciousness of absurdity, art of life