Sentiment in Zhuangzi
Resource
臺大中文學報, 49, 043-098
Journal
臺大中文學報
Journal Issue
49
Pages
043-098
Date Issued
2015-06
Date
2015-06
Author(s)
Abstract
The idea that Daoists like Laozi and Zhuangzi are opposed to family ethics has long been popular, with scholars who maintain this theory using different perspectives to argue that Zhuangzi, being “weary of the world” or “out of the world,” is conclusively opposed to family ethics. Yet, in the history of interpreting Zhuangzi, there has also been a long series of discourses arguing that Zhuangzi is really not anti-family in ethics, even to the point that the position of Zhuangzi on the family shares links with Confucian ethics.
Few contemporary scholars are dedicated to researching the issue of “family relations” in Zhuangzi. Even when focused on a discourse relating to the family, they do not pay much attention to relevant practical implementation and operational methodology. Considering the deeply influential issue of “filiality” in traditional Chinese culture, one asks how Zhuangzi, who gives great weight to “extrication,” attains a carefree mind and body under the ties of the “inextricable?”
This study mainly focuses on family relations, and intends to examine the similarities and differences between Zhuangzi and Confucian values, in terms of implementing filiality, view of life, and philosophical foundation. In the process, this study hopes to shed light on the richness and special characteristics of Zhuangzi's discourse on filiality.
Differences in phenomenological experience and practice inevitably reflect differences in underlying philosophies. Under normal circumstances, the filiality espoused by Confucianism does not differ significantly from that as advocated by Zhuangzi. However, in the face of “filiality not leading to love” and drastic emotions in mourning the death of parents, the actual practice of filiality as pursued by Zhuangzi differs dramatically from Confucian filiality. The Confucian universe of discourse is limited to “this world.” It considers benevolence and propriety as the standards by which filiality is measured. Emphasis is given not to peace of mind and spirit but to follow the right way by heart. In contrast, Zhuangzi postulates that a “real ruler” and a “real lord” exist eternally “outside of this world,” akin to “a fire passing on even while the wood burns out.”
Therefore, apart from filiality and love that are considered “inextricable from the heart” and the idea that “regardless of situation one should put [one’s parents] at ease,” Zhuangzi furthermore uses such terms as “passionless” and “at ease as if fated” to implement the way of “returning to the root,” and “being wholly genuine,” taking the nurturing of one’s own spirit as a primary purpose. The ideal sentiment as espoused by Zhuangzi is, for all family members, friends and even lovers, one that is “inextricable” and that “regardless of situation one should put [one’s parents] at ease.” It is a complete devotion from the inside out: one that embraces a compliant attitude but does not wait for outcomes, that does not stubbornly insist, and that does not seek after results, but without losing the peace and quiet of one’s own mindset. Moreover, using a ladder of filiality, he extends this path to everyone in the world. He goes from observing a rigorously formal and regular “filiality based on respect” to a “filiality based on love.” This progresses to a level in which family relations and ties become “forgetting relations,” and “having one's relatives forget oneself.” Ultimately, one reaches the realm of “forgetting the world” and “also having the world forget oneself.”
Subjects
莊子、孝、親情、無情、生命觀(Zhuangzi, filiality, family relations, passionless, view of life）
Type
journal article
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