Chapter 5 The Concept of fa in Guanzi and Its Evolution
Journal
Dao Companions to Chinese Philosophy
Journal Volume
19
Start Page
139
End Page
180
ISSN
2211-0275
2542-8780
ISBN
9783031536298
9783031536304
Date Issued
2024
Author(s)
Abstract
This chapter analyzes the concept of fa in Guanzi from the perspective of conceptual history and explores the significance of this concept’s evolution in the text. It attempts to demonstrate two major points. First, it elucidates the multiplicity of meanings of fa in Guanzi and highlights considerable differences in the usage of fa in different chapters of the text. Fa—which can refer to such things as measurement standards, laws, ordering principles of the cosmos, or even proper demeanor—appears as an extraordinary rich term. It has ethical and metaphysical dimensions, and is a particularly potent means of dealing with the “impartiality-selfishness” dichotomy. This richness of meanings and usages reflects a lengthy process of evolution of fa discourse. Second, the chapter situates the fa discourse of Guanzi within a broader pattern of the Warring States-period fa tradition. In this context, particularly noteworthy is the supremacy of fa in the chapter “Relying on fa”. The discourse of fa in that chapter reaches a high level of theoretical depth, and the idea of fa has been placed at the apex of value system no less than in such texts as the Book of Lord Shang, the Yellow Emperor Manuscripts, the Shenzi Fragments, or even Han Feizi. The fa discourse throughout that chapter integrates several Warring States-period political theories within the fa framework. Therefore, at least insofar as this specific chapter is concerned, Guanzi’s political philosophy can be categorized as belonging to the fa tradition.
SDGs
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Type
book part