Chuang Tzu's Perfect Man

Subject  > History Term Papers  > Asian History

Chuang Tzu was a brilliant, original, and influential Chinese philosopher who lived around the 4th century BCE. The background from which he arose involved a period of strife, conquest, oppression, and an attempt to preserve traditional societal values. This situation gives light to the origin of Chuang Tzu’s philosophy, which was centered on skepticism and mystical detachment (which is why it differs so radically from Confucianism). His ideology provided the disillusioned members of Chinese society with a method to cope with and survive in a world ridden with chaos and suffering. In his “Basic Writings,” Chuang Tzu delineates the nature of what he believes is the perfect man, and he does so using three basic rhetorical devices. ...

... while following the Tao, while others were forced to exchange their carving instruments every month or every year. In such a way should one deal with all aspects of the world and incorporate this philosophy into the care of one’s own life. In conclusion, the perfect man exists in a state without true consciousness, in which he makes no distinctions and perceives all of nature as one. Societal traditions and distinctions are forgotten, and the sage acts in accordance with wu-wei, going with the flow and perceiving with his spirit rather than his body or mind. This allows for complete harmonization with nature and the ability to find joy in all things.

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