---
product_id: 217990767
title: "Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity"
brand: "edward slingerland"
price: "$U2107"
currency: UYU
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 6
url: https://www.desertcart.uy/products/217990767-trying-not-to-try-ancient-china-modern-science-and-power
store_origin: UY
region: Uruguay
---

# Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity

**Brand:** edward slingerland
**Price:** $U2107
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity by edward slingerland
- **How much does it cost?** $U2107 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.uy](https://www.desertcart.uy/products/217990767-trying-not-to-try-ancient-china-modern-science-and-power)

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- edward slingerland enthusiasts

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## Description

Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity

## Images

![Trying Not to Try: Ancient China, Modern Science, and the Power of Spontaneity - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71O-7sxcTwL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Retreat to advance
  

*by D***G on Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 March 2015*

The essence of the great Chinese philosophers is their approach, as opposed to their theories. Edward Slingerland looks at the four biggest of them in an attempt to show us how two ways of being, wu-wei (“oo-way”) and de (“duh”) define the difference between success and failure, east and west, and satisfaction and frustration.Wu-wei is an approach. It can mean going with the flow, internalizing some process so you can do it without any conscious thought, or suppressing all outside irrelevance to focus unconsciously on what is before you. This is the approach to, in Slingerland’s best example, a baseball pitcher who used to throw strikeouts without a thought, struggling to stay in the game when he thought about what he was doing. The more he tried to refine his actions, the worse the outcome. Another example would be tightrope walking. You don’t want to look down. Better blindfolded than looking down.De is a state. It is commanding presence. When you exude the non-arrogant confidence of someone who knows, people respect you and flock to you. You get the girl, the job, the meeting – whatever. It just comes to those with de. Noam Chomsky has de. Gerald Ford did not.The essence of both wu-wei and de, is being as far away from striving to achieve them as possible. So Trying Not To Try examines how different Chinese philosophers backed off from them in order to achieve them. Retreat to advance.Slingerland, who lives and breathes Eastern culture and philosophy, takes us on an expert guided tour, edited so we get the essence of each philosopher’s approach. They are Confucius, Laozi, Mencius and Zhuangzi.  Confucius is the most neurotic of them, insisting on ceremony, ritual, tradition and caution. The others take him as their starting point and go off in their own directions.There is no magic solution to achieving these two Ways. The key word throughout is try. Slingerland has done a fine job of instilling the virtues of them in an easy-reading, entertaining little book.David Wineberg

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Ancient wisdom for modern thinkers
  

*by I***O on Reviewed in France on 22 February 2021*

Excellent book. A very interesting view about how ancient wisdom is relevant to the issues modern society is facing. Enjoyed it

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    I m in the ZONE...
  

*by P***  on Reviewed in India on 10 February 2020*

If u have heard of "Flow " and are curious about it. Then this book can explain more about Flow taking a solid foundation of Lao Tzu theory. One must read this book to declutter and detox with hurries and worries slow down and still win the race 🏇...

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*Product available on Desertcart Uruguay*
*Store origin: UY*
*Last updated: 2026-02-23*