As a classic rich in meanings, Zhuangzi is studied through various methodologies as a modern subject and therefore presents various academic features. Then, what is the philosophical feature of Zhuangzi? By what meanings can we define Zhuangzi as a philosophical text? In this article, we examine the philosophical features and rationality of Zhuangzi in light of the philosophical aspects of reflection and reasoning. Furthermore, the contemporary studies on the views of body concentrate on the embodiment of life activities as well as the relationships between body and mind, between body and situation, and between other and self, as well as observe the issues of cognition and practice in a dynamic way, pointing to human feelings, social relationships along with legal and political concerns. What kinds of ideas can be found in Zhaunzi as a philosophical resource while we combined these two approaches? And how should we evaluate these ideas? This article is meant to extract new meanings from Zhuanzi regarding to the studies on the views about body.
Here, we begin with the theory of tao in company with the linguistic strategy of Zhuangzi and interpret it into a guiding discourse. Next, we combine the discussions about “largeness,” “heaven,” “tao,” “transformation,” “qi” and “things” into a changeable perspective, which is called “forming and resolving” here, and inquire the relationship between the forms of things and the bodies of human beings from this perspective. Then, we talk about the “views about body in the context of life” through such concepts as the tao of craftsmanship, the internal awareness and self-knowledge. Finally, starting with the social conditions of one’s being, we then talk about the insights about “life” and “rites” in Zhaungzi, discuss further about the ideal individual and society in Zhuangzi and finally conclude with the perspective of “transforming into one.”