Predictors of survival

In Eastern philosophy-particularly within the traditions of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism-'Dao (道)' and 'Thuat (術)' constitute two foundational concepts describing the unity between thought and action, between essence and application. Dao represents the highest principle, abstract and essential in nature; Thuat denotes the specific methods, skills, and means through which Dao is manifested-applied, practical, and adaptable to circumstances. Despite its centrality to human existence, survival has seldom been examined as a socio-philosophical construct beyond the biomedical domain. This study empirically investigates the roles of Dao and Thuat in shaping human survival outcomes. Employing the Culture Tower and the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF), we analyze a specialized dataset derived from 48 narratives in in Wild Wise Weird by Professor Vuong Quan Hoang to identify factors influencing survival risks. The results demonstrate that both Dao and Thuat significantly predict survival risks; notably, long-term survival risk is more heavily determined by Dao. Furthermore, the simultaneous cultivation of Dao and Thuat mitigates survival risks, while escalation in short-term risk exacerbates long-term risk. These findings address humanity's fundamental ontological inquiries concerning survival-namely, what constitutes genuine survival beyond mere physical existence-and introduce a novel framework (CBMF) for advancing the epistemology and literacy of survival. The study carries profound implications for the VUCA-BANI era, suggesting that through self-cultivation in alignment with Dao, individuals-and by extension, communities and nations-can effectively reduce survival risks and achieve sustainable development.