% So I smashed them.2. 1891. In this paper I will present a few well-known thought experiments from contemporary Western philosophers and highlight some characteristic traits of such thought experiments. Ironic, then, that our representative of logic, logician Huizi, is not capable of such creativity. Napoli: Universit degli Studie di Napoli LOrientale.. PubMedGoogle Scholar. Change). Lin Ma. PubMedGoogle Scholar. Early Confucian Perspectives on Emotions. In Dao Companion to Classical Confucian Philosophy, edited by Vincent Shen. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The Writings of Kwang-Tze. And if one makes his opponent from steel rather than straw, giving said opposition the most convincing and charitable positions possible, then he might learn something as a product of the conflict between his own preconceived notions and those notions in disagreement. The Unskilled Zhuangzi: Big and Useless and Not So 2010. He points out that imaginary cases reveal moral principles to us which we can then use to determine our attitude in a new case10, and this can be especially useful when something about certain features of real cases distracts us from what is actually morally important. We use cookies to improve your website experience. vres De Tchoang-Tzeu. And like Zhuangzis creative innovation, turning a gourd into a boat, the greater, higher man recreates what is possible for himself. Step 2: Check your email inbox & spam folder for a verification letter to complete the process (This is to ensure your email is valid). Indianapolis: Hackett. Saggi in onore di Lucia Pizzo Russo, la neurofenomenologia. Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings. 2014. Chuangtse . 10While no doubt many thought experiments do function in this way, Dancy is acutely aware that there is something very odd about the idea that we can learn important truths about the way we should behave from an examination of cases which are creatures of our imagination.11 He points out several reasons why we might worry about reasoning from an imaginary case to an actual case. . Even though the lessons are in story form, that doesnt mean that they are easy to decipher. Wilhelm, Richard, trans. A logical analysis of the debate on Hao River - Taylor & Francis had a gourd of over a hundred pounds. 13Zhuangzi is known for giving voice to many different creatures humans of all sorts and a host of animals as well. 2002-2022 The Linguist Institute, Inc. All rights reserved. 13 Roy Sorensen 1992 has a discussion of several criticisms on the use of thought experiments, stories, and intuition pumps, as Daniel Dennett calls them. Qing (Emotions) in Pre-Buddhist Chinese Thought. In Emotions in Asian Thought: A Dialogue in Comparative Philosophy, edited by Joel Marks and Roger T. Ames. Graham, A. C. 1981. WebAnother storyHuizi and Zhuangzi about gourds starts when the king of Weis large gourdgives Huizi gourd seeds. Emotion and Agency in Zhuangzi. Asian Philosophy: An International Journal of the Philosophical Traditions of the East 21.1: 97121. This combined with Zhuangzis penchant for irony, the fact that Zhuangzi alludes to fictitious characters and texts, and even takes real figures like Confucius and attributes to the sage things we cant be sure Confucius actually said all of this can make it hard to know what exactly he thinks of the people and things he writes about. Zhuangzi: The Essential Writings. My shoulders are peaked. WebHuizi and Zhuangzi. Paris: ditions de lencyclopdie des nuisances. It only seems useless to you because you want to turn it into something else and dont know how to appreciate it for what it is. Even if we are confident about what to do in an imaginary case, the criticism has been raised that thought experiments dont actually reflect a truth about reality; rather, they just reflect our beliefs about reality13. This curiosity about the man behind the story I will return to later. Register to receive personalised research and resources by email. Dordrecht: Springer. Beijing : Zhonghua Shuju . Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips, Not logged in Or in Searles Chinese Room, Searle argues that because he is functioning just like a computer running a program but understands nothing of the meaning of the inputs and outputs (in Chinese) that he is manipulating, so artificial intelligence, just in virtue of running a certain program, does not have understanding. Beijing : Shangwu Yinshuguan . The video below (Flight from the Shadow) is an example of the type of teaching he engaged in. In both, finding the message of the work or the intention of its creator is not necessarily the purpose of the piece as much as is engaging with it and walking away with something even if that something is not an understanding of the actual work but rather a broadening of the mind, an interesting question, or a pleasurable experience. This admittedly is a different kind of similarity, one involving the similar, Jackson has actually since changed his position on the thesis of physicalism and he no longer think, Roy Sorensen 1992 has a discussion of several criticisms on the use of thought experiments, stories, This is uncharacteristic of Western thought experiments where the philosopher presents the imagined, One could, for example, think here of Zhuangzis famous butterfly dream that concludes chapter 2 of. Huizi believes his knowledge is sufficiently complete as to be capable of using rational deduction to come to only correct answers. Nozicks question is, would you plug into such machine for life? 22The above stories show that sometimes Zhuangzi is forthright on what he thinks about a certain creature, human or otherwise. The Zhuangzi presentation of Hui Shis views concludes: He had many perspectives and his library would fill five carts but his doctrine was selfcontradictory. Beyond the Troubled Water of Shifei: From Disputation to Walking-Two-Roads in the Zhuangzi. The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu. WebHuizi said to Zhuangzi, The king of Wei left me the seeds of a big gourd. Klein, Esther. Registered in England & Wales No. In fact, in Zhuangzis case, the featured voices are often non-human. Are we just engaging in irresponsible moral epistemology in using hypothetical thought experiments and taking them, at best, as tools of persuasion to belief in a certain claim and, at worst, as grounds of evidence for a position? He went on to plant these seeds when they grew too large to be able towater them, he decided to smash them into pieces instead. 1993. Article He hobbled over to look at his reflection in the well. Wang, Rongpei, trans. For example, Robert Nozick imagines a machine that can give a person whatever experiences she desires.16 While in this Experience Machine the person will really feel the pleasure of those experiences and will not know that its all just a simulation. Eifring, Halvor. What should you do?1, Huizi said to Zhuangzi, The king of Wei left me the seeds of a big gourd. Hansen, Chad. Our text offers three additional examples: Nie Ques conversation with Wang Ni; Huizi and Zhuangzi about gourds; the story of Cook Ding (sometimes called Butcher Ding); and the story of Wheelwright Pian. The Zhuangist Views on Emotions. Asian Philosophy 28.1: 5567. Indianapolis: Hackett. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. While Laozi and Zhuangzi cause us to break out of the mundane meanings, categories and concepts that clutter and carve up our mindscape, they point to an even (LogOut/ This is not to say that all thought experiments incorporate all of these things, but a good thought experiment will often touch on several. What he doesnt realize is that it is his own potential which he is smashing. Bradenton, FL: BookLocker. 11As mentioned before, Dancy explains that sometimes we come up with an imaginary case because its relevantly similar to an actual case, but the imaginary case is easier for us to think through. Les fondements philosophiques de la rhtorique chez les sophistes grecs et chez les sophiste chinois. Thats what fish Napoli: Universit degli Studie di Napoli LOrientale.. By utilizing modern logical analysis tools, this study reveals what and how the propositions and inferences contained in the language of the debate are articulated accurately and strictly. 2005. MEDITATIONS: ZHUANGZI, CHAPTER ONE PART THREE Sartres gnarly tree root and Zhuangzis useless tree: - Medium Zhuang Zi: De volledige geschriften: Het grote klassieke boek van het Taosme Amsterdam: Uitgeverij Augustus. The question of what exactly Zhuangzis positive project might be is beyond the scope of this paper, but the point remains that the idea that we are even wondering about who Zhuangzi is as a philosopher, or how he would want us to analyze him in light of his stories, is something that we dont typically see when we turn to Western philosophers advancing certain thought experiments. Such distractions can be left out of fabricated cases so that we can better focus on the relevant moral principles. He sees his potential and is motivated as if by a guiding star upon which a wish might be fulfilled. The Happiness of Fish A Taoist Tale, Huizi said, Youre not a fish how do you know what fish enjoy?, Zhuangzi said, Youre not me, so how do you know I dont know what fish enjoy?, Huizi said, Im not you, so I certainly dont know what you know. 2003. Perhaps Zhuangzi would affirm Master Chariot for being so free. People who follow their natures and pursue their own path to language learning will be happier and more successful than learners who try meet goals set for them by others. Jena: Diederichs. 2008. ______. Middendorf, Ulrike. 18In this vein perhaps we could draw an analogy between Zhuangzis work and some works in modern art where its not always clear to the observer what the artist was going for. Liu, Qingping. 5 Howick Place | London | SW1P 1WG. Assignment: the stories of chuang tzu - Academizedd My premises and conclusion follow from each other; therefore, me conclusion is logically valid. On Anger: An Essay on Confucian Moral Psychology. In Returning to Zhu Xi: Emerging Patterns within the Supreme Polarity, edited by David Jones and Jinli He. A snare is for rabbits: when youve got the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Zhuangzis Doctrine of No-Emotion (pre-production draft). crits de Matre Wen , . crits de Matre Wen , . A Didactic Annotation to the Zhuangzi . 2007. 1920. Guo, Xiang , and Cheng Xuanying , annot. Monica Link, Anecdotes and thought experiments in Zhuangzi and Western philosophy ,Rivista di estetica, 72|2019, 7-18. Changsha : Hunan Renmin Chubanshe . It is precisely because we dont know exactly what Zhuangzi is up to that the discussion and wonder are enduring. Theory of Non-Emotion in the Zhuangzi and Its Connection to Wei-Jin Poetry. Journal of Chinese Philosophy 40.2: 340354. I planted it, and when it matured it weighed over a hundred pounds. Part of Springer Nature. https://www.academia.edu/35172330/Zhuangzis_Doctrine_of_No_Emotions_forthcoming_in_Dao_Companion_to_the_Philosophy_of_the_Zhuangzi_Kim_Chong_Chong_and_Kai_Yuan_Cheng_eds_final_draft (last accessed on October 12, 2020). 2015. Wandering on the Way. Ma, Lin, and Jaap van Brakel. His language did not hit his target the intent to make sense of things. This suggests that Zhuangzi saw Hui Shi as caught in a paradox. Albany: State University of New York Press. Our text offers three additional examples: Nie Ques conversation with Wang Ni; Huizi and Zhuangzi about gourds; the story of Cook Ding (sometimes called Butcher Ding); and the story of Wheelwright Pian. In The Sacred Books of the East, edited by F. Max Mller. The point is often to free us from the human perspective. 2004. This is the necessary humility for one to overcome his arrogance. At this point one might reasonably ask: why bother stretching peoples imagination? Forthcoming. The thought experiments here and conclusions about the imaginary cases are taken to help defend a certain stance (e.g., against utilitarianism, against strong artificial intelligence) that the philosopher wants to take. If you are content with the time and abide by the passing, theres no room for sorrow or joy. Why dont philosophers just state their questions or positions more plainly? Zhang, Gengguang , trans. are sufficiently exhaustive to make his conclusion sound. Cao, Chuji , trans. - 95.111.234.200. Les vres de Matre Tchouang. Different disciplines have their different tools for doing so. (Melchert 86). Ziporyn, Brook, trans. On another nearby track there is only one person working. Register a free Taylor & Francis Online account today to boost your research and gain these benefits: An International Journal of the Philosophical Traditions of the East, A logical analysis of the debate on Hao River, Department of Philosophy, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China, /doi/full/10.1080/09552367.2022.2108108?needAccess=true. By closing this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Most scholars have understood qing in this exchange as referring to feelings or emotions. We take issue with such readings. 1957. 1When it comes to persuading people to acknowledge a truth or think a certain way, there are many ways that we try to discover and convince each other of the truth. The Tradition of Emotive Writing in the Zhuangzi and Its Echoes in Later Generations. Frontiers of Philosophy in China 10.3: 340352. Sign up to the Wild Isle Mailing List for exclusive previews, updates, and opportunities. The Background of the Mencian Theory of Human Nature. Tsing Hua Journal of Chinese Studies 6.12: 215271. Avanguardia, cinema, immagini, social objects from intentionality to documentality, numero speciale, supplemento al n. 55| 2014, aesthetic experience in the evolutionary perspective, wineworld. School of Philosophy, Renmin University of China (Zhe-xue-yuan), Av. Zhuangzi is a master storyteller and he uses that talent to teach important moral It is at this juncture which we return to Zhuangzis answer, to Kun skyward transformation into Peng, and to the scoldquails ignorance of Pengs necessity to soar so high for so far a journey. Reding, Jean-Paul. First, we demonstrate that, while Huizi probably understands qing as something like feelings or emotions, Zhuangzis view is that having qing is connected The debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi has profound epistemological significance, however, the main body of their debate comprises logical inferences and refutations. Zhuangzi Chuang-Tzu. WebZhuangzi is criticizing his friend Huizi for smashing giant gourds because he couldnt find a conventional use for them. Must? 30Perhaps if only Zhuangzi and others didnt come up with such memorable traps. 2014. What happens if we take Mary out of her black and white bubble and show her a red tomato? The Complete Work of the Zhuangzi . Morgan, Jeffrey. <>>> The great gourd. Lynn, Richard John. Daoism: Laozi and Zhuangzi. In World Philosophy, edited by Jay L. Garfield and William Edelglass. What is he trying to do? Fundamentals of Comparative and Intercultural Philosophy. Ziporyn, Brook, trans. Were There Inner Chapters in the Warring States? One reason Hui Tzu10 said to Chuang Tzu, "The king of Wei gave me some seeds of a huge gourd. 9One answer could be that sometimes the position that the philosopher wants to advance is easier to see in a contrived (even if rare or humanly impossible) situation than in an actual case. Indianapolis: Hackett. What better carriage? 2016. One might also describe this as engaging in Socratic Dialectical thought. new essays on wine, taste, philosophy and aesthetics, arte, psicologia e realismo. All Is Well in the Great Mess. If there werent other places where Zhuangzi seems to poke fun at so many people and schools of thought, arguably including Daoist thought,24 then we could be more confident in making a straightforward conclusion about what Zhuangzi likely thinks of Master Chariots all-embracing and arguably excited attitude towards his dramatically changing body and life. For example, consider the story in Chapter 6 of a man who is physically deformed. 2010. 2016. - 69.163.152.102. 17With Zhuangzi, on the other hand, it is often not clear what exactly the point of a story is nor what position Zhuangzi himself might be criticizing or advancing. The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu. But for the purposes of this paper, lets be charitable going forward and assume that there is some positive value in using thought experiments or made-up characters and stories as vehicles to raise questions or make a point. Emotion and Agency in Zhuangzi. Asian Philosophy: An International Journal of the Philosophical Traditions of the East 21.1: 97121. Do computers understand things the way humans do? Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Zhongguancun 59, Haidian District, Beijing, 100872, China, Hoger Instituut voor Wijsbegeerte, KU Leuven, Kardinaal Mercierplein 2, 3000, Leuven, Belgium, You can also search for this author in This is what I call the presupposition of correctness. In discourse with others, or even with yourself, you will see it more often than not. Yet he commits this very sin, and all because he feels he reached a valid conclusion. Zhang, Gengguang , trans. And most of all just enjoy yourself! Philosophical Reflections on the Fish Happiness Anecdote In Western thought experiments although there often are elements that defy reality as we know it, it is understood that that kind of setup is necessary to bring out certain features of a problem that do correspond to our reality. The debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi has profound epistemological significance, however, the main body of their debate comprises logical inferences and I planted them, And between one individual and another, and another, each will be in some ways Huizi, and in other ways Zhuang Zhou. Thats what fish really enjoy!. Xu, Bing . Zongzi Facts for Kids 2011. Insofar as these are aims in philosophy, Zhuangzi might do better in prompting these in his reader than one who puts forth a self-standing thought experiment advancing a particular thesis. ______, trans. 2012. Paris: Les belles lettres. Taipei : Shijie Shuju ; http://www.terebess.hu/english/chuang.html (last accessed on October 12, 2020). over 2,300 years ago He taught the Tao, or way, an approach to life based on effortlessness and harmony with ones nature. 2018. Zhuangzi and the Happy Fish Dialogue. Zhuangzi Please read this book to learn how to take advantage of the abundant language resources and opportunities for communication that surround you. Qin, Xuqing , and Sun Yongchang , trans. Zhuangzi is a master storyteller and he uses that talent to teach important moral and philosophical lessons. 21Van Norden makes the following comment on this story as it relates to an overarching theme we see in Zhuangzi about freeing the mind: By stressing flexible responsiveness to particular contexts, Zhuangzi encourages us to think in creative and nontraditional ways. I filled it with liquid, 2010. Contrast the greater man with the lesser. In comparing the features of Western thought experiments to fables from Zhuangzi, we will see that although Zhuangzis stories would likely fail to be considered good philosophical thought experiments (according to the Western tradition), the very thing that makes them fail is arguably what allows the writings of Zhuangzi to continue to inspire philosophical reflection and dialogue. It is the acknowledgement of his ignorance which give him a reason to better himselfbecause he knows just how far he is from who he could become. The author thanks the helpful comments of anonymous reviewers, and thanks the authors of all the references. . For example, 1) the situations are often highly unrealistic, beyond what normal, real-world counterfactual reasoning would get one to; 2) the characters involved have abilities or disabilities that few if any humans have and sometimes3; and 3) the situations have a way of making a point or a position more memorable than a plainly stated proposition4. Thomson, J., 1985, The Trolley Problem, Yale Law Journal, 94: 1395-1415.