Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu)

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ZHUANGZI (CHUANG TZU)

Chinese philosopher, contemporary of mengzi (Mencius); b. c. 370; d. c. 285 b.c. Unlike Mengzi, Zhuangzi did not travel far to preach his doctrine; yet his fame reached the Prince of Chu, who asked him to become his prime minister. Zhuangzi declined the invitation, preferring to live simply in a small village and discuss philosophy with his disciples and friends. The Book of Zhuangzi, written by his disciples, had 52 chapters, but only 33 are extant. His teachings on cosmology, ethics, and politics are similar to those of laozi (Lao Tzŭ). He taught that all values are relative and that all extremes will eventually meet because they are really different aspects of the same unique reality. He developed a technique of dialectics that he used effectively in discussions. After Laozi, Zhuangzi was considered the great master of Taoist philosophy.

Bibliography: b. watson, tr., The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu (New York 1968). a. c. graham, tr., The Seven Inner Chapters and Other Writings from the Book of Chuang-Tzu (London 1981); Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China (La Salle, IL 1989). k. m. wu, The Butterfly As Companion: Meditations of the First Three Chapters of the Chuang Tzu (Albany 1990).

[a. a. tseu]