Abstract
In Zhuangzi’s 莊子 philosophy, the concept of zheng 正 occupies an important place in realizing the Daoist ideal of “inner sageliness and outward kingliness,” in terms of cultivating oneself and lifting others. However, very few scholars have concentrated on this topic and examined the role it plays in achieving the sagely realm. This article, therefore, is primarily intended to investigate the connotation of zheng from the perspective of “virtuosity” (de 德) and to clarify why this virtuosity can “align other living beings.” First, the meaning of alignment in other living beings is introduced, followed by clarification of “activity of the Heavenly” (tian xing 天行), which is internally based on virtuosity and externally conforms to the “Heavenly Transitions” (tian ni 天倪) as a principle of value. Furthermore, through exploring specific examples in the Zhuangzi, I aim to show that the virtuosity of “vacuity and stillness” (xu jing 虛静) and its manifestation as “activity of the Heavenly,” in reality, have a marvelous effect in transforming the evil component.
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Acknowledgments
My gratitude goes to Professor Thomas Bartlett of Stanford University for his tremendous help on crafting the writing. This essay has also been much improved from feedback received from two anonymous reviewers. All these have led to revisions of the essay.
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Zhang, R. Analysis of Zheng in Zhuangzi’s Philosophy. Dao 23, 77–98 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11712-023-09921-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11712-023-09921-8