The Ethical Foundations of Early Daoism: Zhuangzi’s Unique Moral Vision (Content and Context in Theological Ethics)

Dates in this book are identified by the convention BCE ("before the common era") and CE ("common era") rather than BC and AD. I follow Pinyin Romanization throughout the book except in cases of proper names where the authors have chosen Wade-Giles Romanization (e.g., Tu Wei-ming) and in cases of titles and quotes. "This is an elegant study of one of the world's most insightful, original, and inspiring thinkers. Lee does a fine job weaving various strands of the Zhuangzi into a unified vision of human beings in harmony with or as he aptly puts it "attuned to" the Dao. His reading offers a compelling and immensely important alternative to traditional Confucian and modern western interpreters who attempt to portray Zhuangzi as an amoralist unconcerned with values and indifferent to the world." Philip J. Ivanhoe, Professor of East Asian & Comparative Philosophy & Religion and Director of the Center for East Asian and Comparative Philosophy (CEACOP), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong. 'Dr. Lee's work presents a thoughtful and ingenious analysis of different aspects of ethical thinking and moral living in the Zhuangzi. Making ample use of a wide range of sources - ancient Chinese philosophy, traditional Western thought, modern scholarship in philosophy, anthropology, and more - it highlights issues of universal harmony, community, friendship, rulership, and death, weaving multiple strands of powerful reflection throughout. The book makes an invaluable contribution to our understanding of moral thinking in general and ancient Chinese thought in particular.' Livia Kohn, Professor Emerita, Boston University, USA 'Jung Lee's highly original analysis of the implicit hidden ethical thinking in the Zhuangzi makes an important contribution to both the comparative philosophy of religious ethics and to filling the gaps in our understanding and appreciation of this important classical Daoist work. It is a nuanced and fascinating interpretation of the text.' Harold D. Roth Professor of Religious Studies, Brown University, USA The Ethical Foundations of Early Daoism: Zhuangzi's Unique Moral Vision argues that we can read early Daoist texts as works of moral philosophy that speak to perennial concerns about the well-lived life in the context of the Way. Lee argues that we can interpret early Daoism as an ethics of attunement. The Ethical Foundations of Early Daoism: Zhuangzi's Unique Moral Vision presents a comprehensive study of the normative dimensions of early Daoism in general and the classic text Zhuangzi in particular. Lee argues that our inclination to view Daoism as an amoral tradition stems from Orientalist assumptions about Daoism as well as our received assumptions about the nature of morality. By enlarging the scope of morality, Lee suggests that early Daoist texts like the Zhuangzi can be read as works of moral philosophy that speak to specifically moral concerns in ethics, government, and society. Lee casts the moral imperative of the Zhuangzi as an ethics of attunement to the Way and develops this thesis in the context of friendship, government, death, and human flourishing Front Matter....Pages i-xi Introduction....Pages 1-12 Daoism and “Morality”....Pages 13-31 Hearing the Silent Harmony: Revisioning Ethics in the Zhuangzi ....Pages 33-54 Travelers on the Way: Friendship in the Zhuangzi ....Pages 55-80 The Preservation of the Way: Rights, Community, and Social Ethics in the Zhuangzi ....Pages 81-98 The Great Returning: Death and Transformation in the Zhuangzi ....Pages 99-119 Inwardly a Sage, Outwardly a King: The Way as Ruler....Pages 121-138 Back Matter....Pages 139-186 The Ethical Foundations Of Early Daoism: Zhuangzi's Unique Moral Vision Argues That We Can Read Early Daoist Texts As Works Of Moral Philosophy That Speak To Perennial Concerns About The Well-lived Life In The Context Of The Way. Lee Argues That We Can Interpret Early Daoism As An Ethics Of Attunement. By Jung H. Lee.