New Exploration of Zhuangzi Philosophy: The Way, Language, Freedom, and Beauty

Author: Xu Keqian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: This book draws on certain theories and methods from contemporary linguistic philosophy and hermeneutics to conduct a detailed analysis of a series of important philosophical concepts in the Zhuangzi, such as "Dao," "Speech," "Truth," "Fate," "Freedom," and "Beauty." It thereby examines and studies Zhuangzi's theory of Dao, his views on language, freedom, aesthetics, and the intrinsic connections between them, attempting to interpret the characteristics of Zhuangzi's philosophy from a new perspective. The introduction provides some explanations regarding the research methods and the use of textual materials from the Zhuangzi.
Chapter 1 examines the historical context of the emergence of Zhuangzi's philosophy, attempting to elucidate the origins of his thought and its connections with other schools of thought. Chapter 2 conducts a new exploration of the essential meaning of Zhuangzi's theory of Dao through a linguistic and semantic analysis of the character "Dao." Chapter 3 analyzes the concept of "Truth" in the Zhuangzi. Chapter 4 discusses Zhuangzi's view of language, particularly his skepticism about language. Chapter 5 analyzes the paradox of "the Dao cannot be spoken" versus "the Dao is speech" and the unique mode of discourse in the Zhuangzi. Chapter 6 discusses Zhuangzi's perspective on human existence, his philosophy of life, his ideal of freedom, and his theoretical framework for achieving individual freedom. Chapter 7 conducts a linguistic and semantic analysis of the meaning of the term "Fate" in ancient Chinese philosophical texts, with a focus on Zhuangzi's attitude toward "Fate." Chapter 8 discusses Zhuangzi's form of "individualism" and compares it with individualism in the Western cultural tradition. Chapter 9 discusses Zhuangzi's concept of "Beauty" and the aesthetic value of Zhuangzi's philosophy.