The Daoist Zhuangzi has often been read as a mystical philosopher. But there is another tradition, beginning with the Han dynasty historian Sima Qian, which sees him as a critic of the Confucians. Kim-chong Chong analyzes the Inner Chapters of the Zhuangzi, demonstrating how Zhuangzi criticized the pre-Qin Confucians through metaphorical inversion and parody. This is indicated by the subtitle, "Blinded by the Human," which is an inversion of the Confucian philosopher Xunzi's remark that Zhuangzi was "blinded by heaven and did not know the human." Chong compares Zhuangzi's Daoist thought to Confucianism, as exemplified by Confucius, Mencius, and Xunzi. By analyzing and comparing the different implications of concepts such as "heaven," "heart-mind," and "transformation," Chong shows how Zhuangzi can be said to provide the resources for a more pluralistic and liberal philosophy than the Confucians.

About the Author
Kim-chong Chong is Professor Emeritus at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He taught at the National University of Singapore from 1980-2003 and is the author of Early Confucian Ethics: Concepts and Arguments.

Reviews
"...a breath of fresh air." - Dao



Book Information
ISBN 9781438462844
Author Kim-chong Chong
Format Paperback
Page Count 210
Imprint State University of New York Press
Publisher State University of New York Press
Weight(grams) 227g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 25mm