The Conception of Dao in the Zhuangzi (Departmental Seminar)
Prof. Cheung Kam-ching |
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4:30pm-6:30pm HK Time |
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Room 220, Fung King Hey Building with synchronous online broadcasting on Zoom |
Joining the Seminar face-to-face:
Limited seats for face-to-face seminar. Registrations will be handled on a first come, first served basis.
Register by 30 October 2024: https://cloud.itsc.cuhk.edu.hk/webform/view.php?id=13698010
Joining the Seminar online:
No registration is required.
Link: https://cuhk.zoom.us/j/95080510623
Meeting ID: 950 8051 0623
Enquiries:
Tel: 3943 7135
Email: philosophy@cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract:
I begin by arguing that there are two different conceptions of dao in pre-Qin philosophy. The more general conception can be defined as “a nonempty changing unsummed totality,” while the other is defined as “the invariant governing all instances of change.” I then argue for the exegetical point that the Daodejing adopts both the conception of dao as the nonempty changing unsummed totality of myriad things and as the nomic-invariant of weakening reversion. Dao as the nomic-invariant of weakening reversion characterizes and can be identified with dao as the nonempty changing unsummed totality of myriad things. The main thesis I advance in this presentation is that the Zhuangzi holds that dao is the nonempty transforming unsummed totality of myriad things but does not think there are any invariants in the grand process of transformation of the myriad things. Additionally, I use the findings of this investigation to offer a plausible interpretation of a difficult passage in the Zhuangzi.
Delivered in English.
All are welcome.