The interaction between mind and body according to the ‘Zhuangzi’

Abstract

This dissertation aims to discuss the mind-body relation of the Zhuangzi from different philosophical aspects. This will aid in forming a clearer idea of the philosophy in the Zhuangzi. Mind and body are two particularly important concepts when discussing human experiences. The ambiguity in their relation to each other arises because mind and body both have different properties fundamental to their being and existence, since mind does not seem to occupy space in the same way that body does. However, in some way, they are connected since sensations such as hunger, and at times even psychological feelings like sadness or fear can be experienced from both mind and body. Zhuangzi seems to be aware of this conundrum yet does not find their relation problematic. This is because although the mind and body are spoken of distinctly and are naturally differentiated from one another there does not seem to be any substance duality, since there is only one substance that is claimed to be what every wu 物 (things) is made of which is qi 气 (vital energy). This leads the study to look at mind-body from several philosophical aspects such as ontology, metaphysics and phenomenology in order to better understand the underlying nature and the interaction that the mind-body have according to the Zhuangzi. These different facets of philosophy seem to be all interconnected according to the Zhuangzi because one can see that the way in which one experiences reality in the Zhuangzi is heavily impacted by the metaphysics in the text.