Philosophy of Zhuangzi is a form of Skepticism - Essay Example

Philosophy of Zhuangzi is a form of Skepticism Zhuangzi is a Chinese philosopher, though there is no much information about him apart from what is contained in books named after him and his way of thinking and analyzing situations. In his philosophies, he does not organize his ideas systematically and fails to define his terms too. Skepticism is a complicated epistemological position, which any philosopher or researcher can distinguish among its varieties through focusing on the strength and scope of themes. Skepticism entails doubtfulness of a specific individual in a given aspect of nature while relativism explains the point of views without validity or absolute truth. Zhuangzi’s philosophy is relativistic in the sense that, he tries to hide from the fact that man cannot do without relying on some given aspects, hence, nature is inevitable. Although the interpretation of Zhuangzi’s philosophy is but a scandal, his philosophy carries all the above aspects, that is, skepticism, relativism, radicalism, and therapy, in that, there are various views in which one can examine it through. His works are philosophical, and they have a grip of a strict Chinese philosophy of language. This Chinese Philosopher uses skeptic language in his writings, which are difficult to get the meaning from because of their unsystematic nature. It is viable to defend the philosophy as relative skepticism if one can highlight guiding wisdom from the text. Examining its skeptic nature, various components can act as guiding principles in making this stand a reality. When analyzing Zhuangzi’s philosophy, we can see that he did not commit to what his passages entail. Refraining from commitments and/or judgments, we can treat his philosophies as a recommendation of how people should use their brain to create spiritual or personal transformation. Zhuangzi’s philosophies address many issues including politics and the way a human mind should think. He does play a political role, in his works, of skepticism that is relativistic, in a way that justifies Daoism as a system of the political liberalism of the Chinese. In my view, it is factual that his philosophies are skeptic and relativistic (Ivanhoe & Norden 55). He lacks conviction in his philosophies, though one can deduce the fact that knowledge and truth exist, from his philosophical works. Several writers draw Zhuangzi’s philosophy as non-epistemic because they feel like his apparent skepticism is not an out rightly negative thesis about our achievements, but a recommendation about an approach we need to embrace. Most versions approve that the Zhuangzi’s philosophical- skeptical passages propose a relatively comprehensive scope. While the skepticism takes the shape of ethical skepticism in orbiting about the lapse of norms, it indirectly embraces all linguistic organization (Ivanhoe & Norden 254). For instance, in the northern darkness, he is talking about a fish called Minnow that change into a bird named Breeze. It is not easy to derive the exact meaning of the name of the bird, hence creating this philosophical nature that is not systematic, of Zhuangzi’s works. The second example is the Tales of Q3; he states that little wisdom cannot much knowledge, or fewer years measuring up to many years. There is no much knowledge about the writing, but its name can easily drive us to a conclusion that it is a work of fiction (Ivanhoe & Norden 208). Zhuangzi’s way of naming characters in his works leaves the reader with room to think and come up with their own understanding of what exactly he meant. Some, like heaven in the Tales of Q3, have more than one connotation; hence, the reader has an open ground to analyze, think and make a judgment. This idea addresses the therapeutic part of his philosophy because it is examining a radical issue, in an artistic manner. Zhuangzi’s highly metaphoric kind of criticism suggests that he did not accept the condition of the world in its form, and tries to come up with imaginary theories instead of simply accepting the way life is. This is evident in the character Liezi who rides about by the mechanism of the wind but does succeed to escape to walk. More so, he has something else that he is looking up to hence, great thinkers say that perfect people lack self while spiritual people do not have accomplishment, and sagely people lack a name (Ivanhoe & Norden 210). Zhuangzi’s philosophy is skeptic in language use, radical because it examines different aspects of the society and criticizes them in a metaphorical way, and this is evident in the character Liezi, who floats with the wind. Zhuangzi tries to divert from the societal norm of walking on the ground but tries still portrays the fact that humanity will always rely on something else, hence emphasizing the fact that he did not live to accept the way life or the world is. His philosophies carry all the above aspects, that is, skepticism, relativism, radicalism, and therapy. In addition, Zhuangzi undermines his credibility in the story of the Kun where he frustrates the audience’s inclination to have an urge of interpreting the book as the real opinions of him (the author). There is no connection between what the author says and what he believes hence undermining his credibility as a philosophical figure (Ivanhoe & Norden 71). Zhuangzi is not keen in the manner in which he relays his message because he does not care whether the audience gets an opportunity to understand his intended meaning. He goes forth to use complex language, which is confusing, indirect and a bit disorganized. I can argue that his philosophies invite the audience to think the way they want rather than base on the author’s beliefs. Zhuangzi’s philosophies do not conform to seriousness, skill and systematic organization, but induce the audience to think and create meaning out of what they read. His works are skeptic, relative, radical and therapeutic because, Zhuangzi’s philosophy is skeptical, and his skepticism is therapeutic because he approves it more with the aspiration to induce specific reactions in the audience or the reader, than as an expression of his individual heartfelt beliefs. The Chinese philosopher moves away from the societal norm by creating a fictitious character that is not moving on the ground but propelled by wind. In case one gives this a closer look, it is conclusive that Zhuangzi’s philosophy has relativism. Zhuangzi’s viewpoint is relativistic in the logic that, he tries to escape from the fact that human beings must rely on certain aspects designed by nature. Therefore, nature is inevitable, but his philosophy does not appreciate this fact. In conclusion, it is imperative to note that, Zhuangzi’s philosophy is skeptic and has relativism more than it is radical and therapeutic, although, it invites the audience to think on their own. Work Cited Ivanhoe, P J, and Norden B. W., Van. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. New York: Seven Bridges Press, 2001. Print Read More