Who is Zhuangzi?

Zhuangzi (莊子, Zhuāngzǐ) was a representative Taoist philosopher of the Warring States Period (4th to 3rd centuries BC) in China. His real name was Zhuang Zhou, and he is known to have come from Meng (蒙) in the Song Dynasty. Little is known about his life, but he is considered to have lived an ordinary life as a poor government official, and was not obsessed with power or wealth and fame in reality.

 

Zhuangzi's main ideas

1. Wuwei ziran (無爲自然) and freedom

 • Zhuangzi emphasized Wuwei ziran (a life that follows the laws of nature without human intervention).

 • He believed that humans should live freely according to their nature, without being bound by social norms or desires.

 • This freedom is to break free from all external constraints and pursue the state of becoming one with pure nature (‘complete freedom’).

 

 2. Relativism and Equality

 • Zhuangzi argued that all values and distinctions in the world are relative.

 • In ‘Je-mul-ron (齊物論)’, all distinctions such as objects and humans, right and wrong, and big and small are artificial and essentially equal.

 • He acknowledged the existence and differences of others and emphasized that various cultures and values can coexist.

 

 3. Intuitive Wisdom and Transcendence

 • He pointed out the limitations of rational knowledge and emphasized the importance of intuition and immediate enlightenment.

 • Zhuangzi preached that transcending reality is not an escape from reality, but rather a means to deeply understand reality and live freely.

 

4. Pacifism and Ecological Wisdom

• He criticized the meaninglessness of war and conflict and emphasized peace and a harmonious life. • He believed that an attitude of respecting the order of the ecosystem without artificially manipulating nature was necessary.

 Books by Zhuangzi: 『Zhuangzi (莊子)』

 

• 『Zhuangzi』 is a book that contains the writings of Zhuangzi, his disciples, and later Taoist thinkers, and consists of 33 chapters in total, including 7 chapters in the inner section, 15 chapters in the outer section, and 11 chapters in the miscellaneous section.

• Traditionally, the 7 chapters in the inner section are considered to have been written by Zhuangzi himself.

• Representative chapters include ‘Xiaoyaoyou (逍遙遊)’, ‘Jemunryun (齊物論)’, and ‘Yangsaengju (養生主)’.

 

The Modern Meaning of Zhuangzi

• Zhuangzi criticizes human-centrism and instrumental reason, and emphasizes the value of diversity and communication.

• It provides an alternative perspective on various problems of modern society such as competition, anxiety, and ecological crisis.

 

• Through the philosophy of ‘uselessness’, it poses new questions to the lives of modern people who are obsessed with efficiency and purpose.

 

Summary

Zhuangzi is a representative figure of Taoism, which focuses on nature, freedom, relativism, peace, and communication. His thoughts form an important axis of Eastern philosophy, and even today, they provide deep resonance and insight.