Final answer:
The author conveys the idea of 'harmony in contradiction', where opposite elements coexist within our being, reflecting a fundamental balance in life and existence. Option a is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept the author is trying to convey with these pairs of opposites is the notion of harmony in contradiction. The text presents a philosophical view that everything exists in a state of duality, where contrasting elements such as the desired and the dreaded, or the cherished and the repugnant, are interwoven within our existence.
This duality is reflected in the natural world, as exemplified in Heraclitus's philosophy of constant flux, and in human experiences, as illustrated by Zeno's paradoxes.
Moreover, understanding the Dao as described in ancient Chinese philosophy shines light on how opposing forces are part of a greater harmonious order. Such concepts suggest that these contrasting elements coexist in a balance that forms the foundation of life and existence. The correct option that best encapsulates this idea is a) Harmony in contradiction.