Nature is the central category of Lao-tzu's aesthetic thought. Lao-tzu's idea of nature that includes three interrelated levels:being so in-oneself, natural inaction principle, the natural state. The meaning of nature is being so in-oneself, which emphasizes that all rely on their own strength to existence and development. This is the essence of beauty. Nature, as a kind of principle, is also a kind of aesthetic mood. Moreover, nature, as a kind of a state, is Lao-tzu's Ideal social patterns and aesthetic ideal. Lao-tzu's aesthetic ideology has a spirit to return to nature.
自然是老子美学思想的核心范畴。 老子的自然观念包含着三个相互关联的维度:自己如此之性质;自然无为之原则;自然而然之状态。 自己如此之性质, 强调的是万物依靠其自身力量存在、发展的根本性, 是美之为美的根源所在, 表征了老子以自然本真为美的理念。 自然无为之原则, 是将万物自己如此之性质抽象为一种具有普遍性的社会行为、心理原则, 对审美主体而言则为一种审美心境(“玄鉴”、“虚静”)。 自然而然之状态, 强调的则是万物依凭其自身力量所达到的一种圆满的境界。 这一境界既是老子所追求的社会理想, 也是老子的审美理想(“恬淡”、“朴拙”)。 以自然本真为美, 以“玄鉴”、“虚静”为审美心境, 以“恬淡”、“朴拙”为审美理想, 表征了一种向自然秉性回归(“人的自然化”)的美学精神, 与儒家的“自然的人化”的美学精神互补共生, 构成了中国古典美学精神特质。