Reflections on Zhuangzi: The View of the World from "Image Thinking"

Author: Wang Shuren, Li Mingzhu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: "Zhuangzi" is a classic of ancient Chinese literature, and over two thousand years, there have been numerous interpreters and annotators. This book presents a fresh interpretation of "Zhuangzi," where the authors emphasize the concept of "suspension" in understanding Zhuangzi's writings and strive to enter the text of Zhuangzi through the "image thinking" that gave rise to it, thus offering a unique perspective. The main body of Zhuangzi consists of allegories, where the so-called "repeated speech" and "spontaneous speech" all serve the essence of the allegories. This essence is "building images with words, generating realms with images, and expressing meaning through realms." This makes Zhuangzi possess poetic uncertainty expressed through symbolism and metaphor, and it also grants Zhuangzi infinite possibilities for original creative inspiration in thought. The profound depth and eternal charm of Zhuangzi lie in this. The central focus of the book is to contemplate and specifically elaborate on Zhuangzi's great wisdom of "the Way is one," embedding interpretation within commentary, analyzing each chapter with a combination of commentary and explanation, while paying attention to comparisons between ancient and modern as well as between Eastern and Western perspectives. Thus, it not only reveals the true essence of Zhuangzi's thoughts but also uncovers their modern and global significance.