The Philosophy of being in the Zhuangzi: Ontological-Existential Reconciliation

Abstract

This is a study of the philosophy of being in the Zhuangzi as both the ontological “being in itself” that defines the ontological reality and the existential “being in human experience” that constitutes the very human existence. Addressing the problems of mysticism, skepticism and relativism in the Zhuangzi, it raises an alternative Chinese version of ontology that does not necessarily assume the ancient Greek pursuit of the determinate, universal and permanent truth. It argues that without any universal or transcendental Being, the Zhuangzi emphasizes the various manifestations of beings, through which the truth of reality and human existence are simultaneously constituted. The absolute truth of being lies in and only in the conditional constitution of each being itself upon its inviolably firm ontological grounding without opening for dualistic conflict with other beings. Through the ontological-existential approach to the beings, it seeks to overcome the modern Western philosophical separation between epistemology and metaphysics by revealing the intimate connection between human existence and ontological reality. In respecting the beings as the necessary and ceaseless presencing of themselves, the human being eventually reconciles himself in the temporal unfolding of the beings in his life and accomplishes his own existence in residing in the beings as both the mission and destiny of his life.