Zhuangzi philosophy

Author: Wang Bo
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: Zhuangzi is Zhuangzi, and he possesses the ability of "the Way and all are one." He is like the great refiner mentioned in the "Great Master," using his mind as a furnace to cast the entire world, including human life and history. The works forged by this great refiner are the book before us—the eternal "Inner Seven Chapters of Zhuangzi." Generally speaking, Zhuangzi lived in the mid-Warring States period, an era of extraordinary vitality in thought and scholarship. Confucianism and Mohism had already been established and were exerting influences in the realms of politics, society, life, and thought. The tradition pioneered by Laozi had also seen significant development, as evidenced by the popularity of "Yellow-Lao" and Yang Chu's thought. Additionally, the Legalists, with their emphasis on agriculture and warfare, had adapted to the demands of rulers and the times, dominating the courts of most feudal states. However, as for Zhuangzi personally, it remains a question whether all these ideas had entered his mind or soul, forming the background of his thought. Even if, as Sima Qian said, Zhuangzi was well-versed in the scholarship of his time, there were still distinctions in priority and emphasis. Based on our current experience, while many trends in society may exist, what is truly understood and comprehended by an individual may be only a part of them. Many things, as Wang Yangming described as "flowers in the mountains," remain self-contained when unseen—opening and falling without significance. Therefore, if we are not content with general discussions and wish to truly enter the world of Zhuangzi's thought, we must turn to the works he left behind and examine who truly influenced him.