Andrzej Jaworski
First let me disassociate Haskell from Taoism which to may taste has left us in an unhealthy climate. It suffices to say that Taoism is a school of clever trics and cute aphorisms but without the slightest attempt to explain or generalize let alone produce an abstract idea or a system. That is why its wisdom is non transferable in spite of majority of humans desending from it.
Taoist religion in China is very much a popular religion, closely associated with festivals, weddings and magic tricks. As a popular religion, Taoism is indeed deeply compromised; but then again, so is Zen in Japan, Christianity in Europe and indeed, most popular religions in the place where they became popular. As a philosophy, Taoism is more concerned with doubt than knowledge; with humility than pride of understanding; of course it makes litte "attempt to explain or generalize". An essential notion in Taoism is that signs and symbols do not communicate the truth -- to appreciate Taoist practice, you must engage in the practice of Taoism for a spell. Thus it is in practical arts -- Chinese medicine, Taiji, strategy -- that one comes to appreciate the Way and its Power. -- Jason Dusek