Realization of the value of Life：An Analysis of Zhuangzi’s ideal personality

• Main Authors: Chang Ching Ming, 張景明
• Other Authors: Wu Zhi Xue
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/07974186825657995069

碩士 === 華梵大學 === 哲學系碩士班 === 101 === Zhuangzi pursued that one can wandered at ease in the realm without any expectations or burdens. Zhuangzi disdained secular world, disregarded benevolence and righteousness, ceremonies and music and disrespected the wise. Saints in Zhuangzi’s view were different from those of Confucian’s and Mohist’s. Therefore, Zhuangzi had other names for his ideal personalities besides Saints. He presented “the Perfect Man”, “the Man of God” and “the True Man”. Although their names are different, they’re, in fact, pointing to the same person who’s spirit merges with Dao as one. They had one thing in common. They detached themselves from the matter, did not differentiate between life and death and reached a mind of vacuity. Through these ideal personalities, Zhuangzi attempted to overcome the inevitable shackles in life such as life and death, time and fate, affection and desire. He thought the dilemma in life was caused by a predetermined mind of a human being. When the human body was formed, it decayed and demised during the life time. However, when the human was alive, his body opposed things in the outside world while his mind was in conflict with matter. His mind and body were not able to be in harmony. Thus, one’s mind is determined by matter without knowing it. So, one must dispel the stubbornness in the mind in order to see the real image of the physical world. Otherwise, one is confined by his own perspective and is forced to forfeit the chance of pursuing a true value in one’s life. Zhuangzi proposed the idea of “No self”,” No merit”,” No fame” to be In contrast to arguments between the Confucians’ and Mohists’. The endless confliction between right and wrong, yes or no, in the material world damaged the harmony of life and nature. One’s mind and body were unable to settle. Thus, Zhuangzi provided the ideal personality with a new dimension of value that helped humans to realize the true value of life.