Construction and Deconstruction: On the Two Paradigms of the Heaven-Man Relationship in the Zhou Yi and Zhuangzi’s Philosophy of Life and Their Complementarity
LI Xuan
(School of Marxism, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China)
Abstract: Both the I Ching and Zhuangzi’s philosophy concern the settlement of individual and collective life, yet their differing understandings of the relationship between Heaven and humanity give rise to two distinct intellectual pathways. The I Ching is grounded in the concept of “the interconnectedness of Heaven and humanity,” adopting the practice of emulating Heaven and Earth as its guiding principle; it transforms the universe’s perpetual creative spirit into human ethical norms, advocating both the relentless pursuit of self-improvement and the inclusive virtue of “carrying all things with profound virtue,” and constructs a social ethical order through the roles of advising,nurturing, and aligning with the flow of time. Its life value is manifested in moral practice and social responsibility. Zhuangzi, in contrast, takes the “unity of Heaven and humanity” as his ultimate aim, explaining the origin of all things through the “Dao” and natural transformation, and advocates for resolving the opposition between the self and the external world—along with transcending concerns over fame, profit, gain or loss, and the dichotomy of life and death—through practices such as “mind fasting” and “sitting in oblivion,” ultimately attaining a state of carefree freedom akin to “traveling in harmony with the Dao.” His life value lies in liberating oneself from external constraints and achieving spiritual freedom. The differences between the two approaches manifest at three levels:ontologically, the I Ching emphasizes the interplay of Yin and Yang and the perpetual generative process, while Zhuangzi highlights “non-action” and self-transformation as well as the ever-changing nature of all things; in terms of practical philosophy, the I Ching advocates adapting to the flow of time and actively engaging with the world, whereas Zhuangzi advocates emptying oneself to navigate the world and achieving spiritual transcendence; in terms of value theory, the former champions the ethical responsibility of the “Great Person,” while the latter highlights the free character of the “Ultimate Person.” These two philosophies are not mutually exclusive; rather, they create a dynamic tension and complementarity between worldly responsibility and spiritual transcendence. In the face of contemporary challenges—such as the expansion of technological rationality and growing existential anxiety—the practical wisdom of the I Ching and the transcendent spirit of Zhuangzi can together offer valuable insights for individuals seeking to find their place in life and reconstruct the meaning of existence.
Key words: The Book of Changes; Zhuangzi; Comparative study of life philosophy; Harmony between heaven and humanity; Unity of heaven and humanity
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