The Metaphysics of Philosophical Daoism

Drawing on evidence from a wide range of classical Chinese texts, this book argues that xingershangxue, the study of "beyond form", constitutes the core argument and intellectual foundation of Daoist philosophy.

Autorentext

Zheng Kai is the Director of the Chinese Philosophy Department and the Director of the Center for Daoist Studies at Peking University, China. He is the author of several acclaimed books on pre-Qin Chinese philosophy and philosophical Daoism, including Between De and Rituals: History of Thought in the Pre- Hundred-Schools-of-Thought Period and Lectures on the Philosophy of Zhuangzi. His most recent book is Interpreting Daoist Political Philosophy.

Inhalt

Part 1: The Meaning of Dao, De and Metaphysics 1. "The Meaning of Dao and De"- Philosophical Daoism's Core Thesis 2. Dao: A Discussion with the Meaning of Wu at its Centre 3. De: With Xuande as an Example 4.Spontaneously self-so (ziran): An Analysis from Two Perspectives 5. What Is Daoist Metaphysics? Part 2: From Physics to Metaphysics 1. Daoist Physics 2. Dao and Things 3. Transformation: Between Eternity and Transience