Department of Philosophy

Ethics in the Zhuangzi: Sagehood Amid Diversity

Frank Saunders Jr.
The University of Hong Kong

Abstract:
Philosophers in China during the Warring States period generally saw themselves as ivestigators into, disputers of, and leaders of others along the Due 道 — the uniquely authoritative Way to live and to flourish. However, certain voices found in the Warring States anthology, the Zhuangzi, provide a radical response to these ethical and political projects by rejecting the premise that there exists a uniquely au — thoritative Dao by which all people can and ought to be constantly, auspiciously guided. Instead, they believe in the existence of a plurality of dao, none of which have absolute, moral authority. But in these very same texts that undermine the possibility of authoritatively identifying the Dao, the authors make a number of positive ethical suggestions regarding how to live and flourish. How do these two apparently conflicting commitments come together to form a coherent philosophy, if they even do at all? In this paper, I explore this cluster of views in the Zhuangzi, which incorporate both critical and constructive elements to lay the foundation for a comprehensive ethics in light of their metaethical views.

Date: Thursday, 10 May
Time: 4:00-5:30pm
Venue: Room 10.27, Run Run Shaw Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

For inquiries: Jennifer Nado nado@hku.hk