What follows is that the expression wuqing should not be identified as a doctrine of nonemotion. Instead, wuqing implies that Zhuangzi advises us to lead a life of tranquility, calmness, and stillness. She knows an enormous amount of information about color, much more than you or I do, but is there anything she doesnt know about color if she has only read all about it? Since these questions might be hard to grasp in the abstract, philosophers come up with thought experiments, and based on what our understanding of the hypothetical situation is, we then move to a similar real-world scenario, having gained insight, supposedly, of how to think about those situations. Feeling in Zhuangzi: From Joy to Serenity. In Expressions of States of Mind in Asia, edited by Paolo Santangelo. 2005. 2015. 1913/1983. Beijing : Zhonghua Shuju . Bradley, Scott P. 2015. We might glean this lesson from taking in a set of Zhuangzis stories, with the assumption that he has some consistent view. Such distractions can be left out of fabricated cases so that we can better focus on the relevant moral principles. . Huizi took the utility of gourds as being their usefulness as containers or drinking vessels, and so concluded that the gourds in question being too large for this purpose had no utility; Zhuangzi pointed out that there is a perspective that Huizi had not considered -- utility not as a container but as a raft -- from which this is not so. Please read this book to learn how to take advantage of the abundant language resources and opportunities for communication that surround you. 1928/1989. Forthcoming. Are we just engaging in irresponsible moral epistemology in using hypothetical thought experiments and taking them, at best, as tools of persuasion to belief in a certain claim and, at worst, as grounds of evidence for a position? Daoism: Laozi and Zhuangzi. In World Philosophy, edited by Jay L. Garfield and William Edelglass. Sometimes the human beings are normal human beings, but they are involved in highly unusual situations. Cheng, Anne. The debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi has profound epistemological significance, however, the main body of their debate comprises logical inferences and refutations. The Status of Qing in Philosophical Texts of Ancient China. In Expressions of States of Mind in Asia, edited by Paolo Santangelo. Feng, Youlan, trans. Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. 18ZDA031]. Besides, at the very least, thought experiments and stories can show us candidates for what we might concern ourselves with.14. Zhuangzis famous story about the crooked tree appeals to me for many reasons. On Anger: An Essay on Confucian Moral Psychology. In Returning to Zhu Xi: Emerging Patterns within the Supreme Polarity, edited by David Jones and Jinli He. Zhuangzi is a master storyteller and he uses that talent to teach important moral and philosophical lessons. If there werent other places where Zhuangzi seems to poke fun at so many people and schools of thought, arguably including Daoist thought,24 then we could be more confident in making a straightforward conclusion about what Zhuangzi likely thinks of Master Chariots all-embracing and arguably excited attitude towards his dramatically changing body and life. Paris: Cathasia, 2e tirage. Wang Bi and Xuanxue. In Dao Companion to Daoist Philosophy, edited by Xiaogan Liu. But one gained territory while the others never escaped bleaching silk because what they used it for was different. Nothing Can Overcome Heaven: The Notion of Spirit in the Zhuangzi. In Hiding the World in the World: Uneven Discourses on the Zhuangzi, edited by Scott Cook. Schipper, Kristofer, trans. But more on that when we return to discuss the Equalizing Assessment of Things in chapter two. Chuang-Tzu. This word is also used in the title of the first chapter of the Zhuangzi: Free and Easy Wandering (xiao yao you ). Oxford: Oxford University Press. ______. What follows is that the expression wuqing should not be identified as a doctrine of nonemotion. Instead, wuqing implies that Zhuangzi advises us to lead a life of tranquility, calmness, and stillness. The Background of the Mencian Theory of Human Nature. Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies 6.12: 215271. volume20,pages 133148 (2021)Cite this article. Si, L , trans. Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. 28Traditional Western thought experiments and stories in Zhuangzi serve several purposes that might be harder to achieve with more straightforward argumentation or prose. It is vital to note that Huizis acknowledgment that Zhuangzi is not a fish demonstrates some truism in the problem brought about by SR. <>>> On the other hand, youre certainly not a fish so that still proves you dont know what fish enjoy!, Zhuangzi said, Lets go back to your original question, please. For example, we might want to interpret Master Chariots story in light of other thingsZhuangzi says about the natural transformation of things25 and conclude that Zhuangzi is trying to say that transformation (whether an arm into a rooster, or life into death) is nothing to fear or avoid. Sign up to the Wild Isle Mailing List for exclusive previews, updates, and opportunities. Indianapolis: Hackett. Indianapolis: Hackett. Emotions and Genuineness in Chinese Native Thinking: A Response to Graham and Hansen ():. Journal of Beijing Youth Politics College 14.1: 4852. The debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi has profound epistemological significance, however, the main body of their debate comprises logical inferences and Ren, Songyao. Even though the lessons are in story form, that doesnt mean that they are easy to decipher. This is what the ancients call loosing the bonds. Zhuangzi then states to him Youcertainly are dense when it comes to using big things! Qin, Xuqing , and Sun Yongchang , trans. Chai, David. London: Bernard Quaeitch. Zhuang Zi . Anecdotes and thought experiments in Zhuangzi and Western philosophy, Rethinking Philosophy, Semiotics, and the Arts with Umberto Eco, Rethinking Schelling. Eno, Robert, trans. Or in Searles Chinese Room, Searle argues that because he is functioning just like a computer running a program but understands nothing of the meaning of the inputs and outputs (in Chinese) that he is manipulating, so artificial intelligence, just in virtue of running a certain program, does not have understanding. Wandering on the Way. This curiosity about the man behind the story I will return to later. First, we demonstrate that, while Huizi probably understands qing as something like feelings or emotions, Zhuangzis view is that having qing is connected with making shifei judgments whereas having no qing means that shifei has no grip on those ren, especially the shengren. For example, one could say, as a utilitarian, Im committed to maximizing happiness and minimizing pain so if there is a choice between letting five people live and one die or five die and one live, then I will do the former. 20Zhuangzi here seems to be criticizing Huizi for not being creative enough, for being limited in his understanding of the varying uses something can have. A New Commentary on the Zhuangzi [in modern Chinese] . Promises and previsions in architecture and philosophy, Nespolo e la filosofia. Beijing : Zhonghua Shuju . Most scholars have understood qing in this exchange as referring to feelings or emotions. We take issue with such readings. Nozick, R., 1974,Anarchy, State, and Utopia, New York, Basic Books. The Writings of Kwang-Tze. Sheesh! Must? What is he trying to do? Imaginations wander through a world of Zhuangzis human and non-human characters, but unlike with the Western thought experiments, bringing back observations of such people and situations with the express purpose of better helping and understanding our own lives is not necessarily the point. Indianapolis: Hackett. Chuangtse . Zhuangzi is a master storyteller and he uses that talent to teach important moral and philosophical lessons. 2010. Zhuangzis Doctrine of No-Emotion (pre-production draft). Price excludes VAT (USA) Albany: State University of New York Press. It only seems useless to you because you want to turn it into something else and dont know how to appreciate it for what it is. Beyond the Troubled Water of Shifei: From Disputation to Walking-Two-Roads in the Zhuangzi. ______, trans. Wheres the problem? you might be wondering. School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China (Zhe-xue-yuan), Av. A Didactic Annotation to the Zhuangzi . And like Zhuangzis creative innovation, turning a gourd into a boat, the greater, higher man recreates what is possible for himself. 2008. 2004. Watson, Burton, trans. Google Scholar. Lynn, Richard John. 26But perhaps Zhuangzi doesnt want to be charitably pinned down; perhaps this attitude itself is a kind of (Western?) 10While no doubt many thought experiments do function in this way, Dancy is acutely aware that there is something very odd about the idea that we can learn important truths about the way we should behave from an examination of cases which are creatures of our imagination.11 He points out several reasons why we might worry about reasoning from an imaginary case to an actual case. In both, finding the message of the work or the intention of its creator is not necessarily the purpose of the piece as much as is engaging with it and walking away with something even if that something is not an understanding of the actual work but rather a broadening of the mind, an interesting question, or a pleasurable experience. You asked me how I know what fish enjoy so you already knew I knew it when you asked the question. A New Commentary on the Zhuangzi [in modern Chinese] . Monica Link, Anecdotes and thought experiments in Zhuangzi and Western philosophy ,Rivista di estetica, 72|2019, 7-18. WebHuizi said to Zhuangzi, The king of Wei left me the seeds of a big gourd. 13Zhuangzi is known for giving voice to many different creatures humans of all sorts and a host of animals as well. Why else would he deem the gourd worthy of destruction? Such is the happiness of fish. Huizi said, You are not a fish, so whence do you know the happiness of fish? 2015. Chinese and Western philosophy in dialogue, Anecdotes and thought experiments in Zhuangzi and Western philosophy. Being in the forest industry, I know that a crooked tree is not suitable for making standard commodity lumber products, but it can make high quality decorative products which feature its natural beauty and individuality. 30Perhaps if only Zhuangzi and others didnt come up with such memorable traps. Ma, L., van Brakel, J. Revisiting the Exchange between Zhuangzi and Huizi on Qing. He does this because he knows his logic to be validthat is to say, he knows that his premises and conclusions follow. 19To be fair, I should note that Zhuangzi doesnt always leave the reader in the dark as to what a story is about or what he himself thinks of the characters involved. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11712-020-09765-6, https://www.academia.edu/35172330/Zhuangzis_Doctrine_of_No_Emotions_forthcoming_in_Dao_Companion_to_the_Philosophy_of_the_Zhuangzi_Kim_Chong_Chong_and_Kai_Yuan_Cheng_eds_final_draft, https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/23427, http://www.terebess.hu/english/chuang.html. Zhuangzi and Hui Shi on Qing . Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies, New Series 40.1: 2145. I know it by standing here on the bridge of the River Hao.. Sometimes they are also in extraordinary situations, sometimes not. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Imagine that you are the driver of a runaway trolley heading towards five people who are working on the trolley tracks in front of you. His epigrams and parables praised those who achieved mastery through constant practice of a skill, following their own inclinations, He scorned complicated explanations and theories. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 2010. 5Thought experiments have long been used in philosophy as a way to raise questions or pursue knowledge through considering hypothetical situations. Puett, Michael J. 2004. Albany: State University of New York Press. There is a runaway trolley that is headed towards five people who are repairing the tracks up ahead. 4 This admittedly is a different kind of similarity, one involving the similar effect of a thought experiment or story. In the same way, your teachings have no practical use., Zhuangzi replied, This tree may be useless as lumber, but you could rest in the gentle shade of its big branches or admire its rustic character. USefullnes is. 1913/1983. He points out that imaginary cases reveal moral principles to us which we can then use to determine our attitude in a new case10, and this can be especially useful when something about certain features of real cases distracts us from what is actually morally important. 2013. Hui Shis questions reflect a narrow empiricist epistemic approach while Zhuangzis replies intimate that Hui Shis notion of how one knows is too restrictive (even Different disciplines have their different tools for doing so. Theory of Non-Emotion in the Zhuangzi and Its Connection to Wei-Jin Poetry. Journal of Chinese Philosophy 40.2: 340354. He believes he knows what a gourd is capable of and useful for; and therefore, he believes that his conclusion about his great gourd is correct; therefore, he believes that his trials (filling it, cutting it into a dipper, etc.) Think of the crooked tree. A true language learner must be like the crooked tree of Zhuangzi, not seeking perfection of form, but prospering by taking advantage of surrounding resources. Learn more about Institutional subscriptions. But for the purposes of this paper, lets be charitable going forward and assume that there is some positive value in using thought experiments or made-up characters and stories as vehicles to raise questions or make a point. Yet he commits this very sin, and all because he feels he reached a valid conclusion. 2000. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Wandering on the Way. Qing (Emotions) in Pre-Buddhist Chinese Thought. In Emotions in Asian Thought: A Dialogue in Comparative Philosophy, edited by Joel Marks and Roger T. Ames. https://www.academia.edu/35172330/Zhuangzis_Doctrine_of_No_Emotions_forthcoming_in_Dao_Companion_to_the_Philosophy_of_the_Zhuangzi_Kim_Chong_Chong_and_Kai_Yuan_Cheng_eds_final_draft (last accessed on October 12, 2020). What, if anything, are you morally required to do? Registered in England & Wales No. Paris: Cathasia, 2e tirage. 1981/2001. Perhaps Zhuangzi sees his role as roaming through the world and drawing our attention to the various kinds of creatures and reactions to life they can have, but he himself wants to remain silent on the question of which lives or responses, if any, are best. Zhuangzi. New York: Bantam Books. Beijing : Shangwu Yinshuguan . Guiyang : Guizhou Renmin Chubanshe . One who has achieved the intellectual flexibility to recognize that a gourd (although normally used as a ladle) can (if big enough) also serve as a boat has also achieved the flexibility to see the value in things at which the many laugh.22. ______, trans. Google Scholar. Our text offers three additional examples: Nie Ques conversation with Wang Ni; Huizi and Zhuangzi about gourds; the story of Cook Ding (sometimes called Butcher Ding); and the story of Wheelwright Pian. - 95.111.234.200. A Complete Translation of the Zhuangzi [in modern Chinese] . Words are for meaning: when youve got the meaning, you can forget the words.26 Zhuangzis fantastical stories, along with the most beloved Western thought experiments, are devices that philosophers use to communicate a certain message, and in Zhuangzis case it might be a message that goes beyond words. Contemporary Annotations and Translations of the Zhuangzi . Because my conclusion follows logically, my premises must also be correct; therefore, evidence which contradicts my premises must be false; therefore my premises must be true; and therefore my conclusion also must be correct.. You are able to divert the trolley to the other track (you cant stop the trolley or have it go in between the tracks; at least one person is going to die in this scenario). I planted it, and when it matured it weighed over a hundred pounds. Psychology and Self-Cultivation in Early Taoistic Thought. Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 51.2: 599650. Emotionless in Confucianism and Daoism: A New Interpretation. Journal of Chinese Philosophy 38.1: 118133. Beijing : Zhonghua Shuju . He made fun of ritual, dogma, and pretentious moralizing. Emotion in Pre-Qin Ruist Moral Theory: An Explanation of Dao Begins in Qing. Philosophy East and West 53.2: 271281. On my reading, Zhuangzis Lynn, Richard John. The debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi has profound epistemological significance, however, the main body of their debate comprises logical inferences and refutations. Sorensen, R., 1992, Thought Experiments, New York, Oxford University Press. I filled them with water but they werent In the latter case, the focus is on the idea or question raised, which, Ive suggested, is made patently obvious in a good thought experiment. Taipei : Shijie Shuju ; http://www.terebess.hu/english/chuang.html (last accessed on October 12, 2020). How does what he say in other places help us to understand what he might be saying in this passage? 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. My chin is hidden in my navel. Ma, Lin, and Jaap van Brakel. https://scholarworks.iu.edu/dspace/handle/2022/23427 (last accessed on November 27, 2020). Wieger, Lon, trans. Tang, Yijie. This is not to say that all thought experiments incorporate all of these things, but a good thought experiment will often touch on several. Reding, Jean-Paul. ______. 1889. URL: http://journals.openedition.org/estetica/5889; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4000/estetica.5889, Creative Commons - Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 4.0 Internazionale - CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/, Vedi la notizia bibliografica nel catalogo OpenEdition, Mappa del sito Contatti Crediti RSS Feed, Norme sulla privacy Cookie Policy Segnala un problema, Noi aderiamo a OpenEdition Edito con Lodel Accesso riservato, Sarai reindirizzato su OpenEdition Search, Briding traditions. 12With Western thought experiments often the goal is to bring us back to a truth or situation about human life. 7Then there are other thought experiments where the humans themselves are unique. Schipper, Kristofer, trans. 2011. 1928/1989. Zhang, Gengguang , trans. Zhuangzi and Huizi were strolling along the bridge over the Hao River. He is sabotaging the very tools he might have used to explore his unconscious self and discover something useful. Klein, Esther. Paris: Les belles lettres. Oxford: Oxford University Press. crits de Matre Wen , . We are less interested in the person offering up the thought experiment or in figuring out how it relates to other things that person has written. In comparing the features of Western thought experiments to fables from Zhuangzi, we will see that although Zhuangzis stories would likely fail to be considered good philosophical thought experiments (according to the Western tradition), the very thing that makes them fail is arguably what allows the writings of Zhuangzi to continue to inspire philosophical reflection and dialogue. Lin, Yutang , trans. A logical analysis of the debate on Hao . clandestine change of argumentative issue, Restore content access for purchases made as guest, 48 hours access to article PDF & online version. Article 2000. Commentary and Subcommentary on the Zhuangzi . habit that he would encourage us to recognize and free ourselves of. I will then discuss some of the fictitious anecdotes that appear in the Zhuangzi. Other philosophers have subsequently offered slightly different variations of the trolley problem, but in all of these it is assumed that the humans involved are human beings with normal capabilities and desires who just happen to be in a very unfortunate situation. At other times, he presents a story and just leaves it more up to the reader to interpret.
