Short description:

The book provides a glimpse into 17th-century Zhu?ngz? (??; ca. 4th through 3rd century BCE) studies by introducing the works of H?nsh?n Déq?ng (????; 1546?1623), Wáng F?zh? (???; 1619?1692), and Lín Yúnmíng (???; 1628?1697), which give a sense of diverse approaches to Zhu?ngz? during this period. 

Long description:

This book provides a glimpse into 17th-century Zhu?ngz? (??; ca. 4th through 3rd century BCE) studies by introducing the works of H?nsh?n Déq?ng (????; 1546?1623), Wáng F?zh? (???; 1619?1692), and Lín Yúnmíng (???; 1628?1697), which give a sense of diverse approaches to Zhu?ngz? during this period.

The three commentators represent three distinct orientations as reflected by their respective roles, with H?nsh?n Déq?ng being a Buddhist monk, Wáng F?zh? a philosopher, and Lín Yúnmíng a literary critic. Their understanding of "carefree wandering" (???) is spelled out, followed by a complete translation of the Péng?bird ? passage through their eyes. The author concludes how this amounts to a conception of human flourishing.

This is the first monograph on Zhu?ngz? studies of any of these three thinkers in English. General readers or specialists of ancient Chinese philosophy can gain insight into how Zhu?ngz? was read in culturally relevant contexts.

"John Williams has given us, in this book, a splendid work of philological analysis of the art of reading the Zhuangzi as practised by some of the most perceptive traditional commentators in the Chinese tradition of this singularly important book. His philology is of great general and philosophical as well as literary interest."

Christoph Harbsmeier, Professor Emeritus of Chinese, University of Oslo

?This is a valuable work showcasing how early modern Chinese scholars grappled with the influential yet difficult philosophical heritage of the Zhuangzi. Williams?s careful presentation, translation, and interpretation of premodern Chinese exegeses of the early Chinese classic make this book a timely addition to the global reception studies of the Zhuangzi.?

Xiaofan Amy Li, Associate Professor in Comparative Cultural Studies, University College London

"There is not a more enriching way of reading the Zhuangzi than through its multitude of commentaries. Rarely do Anglophone scholars leave the comfortable domain of Guo Xiang?s interpretation but, as John Williams brilliantly shows us, there is so much more to be learned from the hermeneutic and philological studies of later figures. Taking a handful of famous passages from the Zhuangzi as case studies, Williams not only reveals the substantial interpretative differences between Hanshan Deqing, Wang Fuzhi, and Lin Yunming, but how their individual philosophical biases result in radically different understandings of the Zhuangzi. Anyone interested in Daoist philosophy will benefit from Williams? meticulous work and thank him for the opportunity to wander more deeply amongst Zhuangzi?s words."

David Chai, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Chinese University of Hong Kong

"Prof. Williams has given a great gift to the Anglophone world with this work, unveiling some of the understudied riches of traditional Zhuangzi commentary, a world jam packed with unexpected epiphanies and liberating sidepaths to the great openness. Combining assiduous and keen-eyed research, deft selection and translation of key texts, and closely reasoned analysis, this book is a trove of treasures to be cherished by all Zhuangzi enthusiasts." 

Brook A. Ziporyn, Mircea Eliade Professor of Chinese Religion, Philosophy, and Comparative Thought, University of Chicago

Table of Contents:

1: A Point of Departure  2: An Introduction to H?nsh?n Déq?ng?s Zhu?ngz? Studies  3: An Introduction to Wáng F?zh??s Zhu?ngz? Studies  4: An Introduction to Lín Yúnmíng?s Zhu?ngz? Studies Epilogue: Brief Comparative Sketches