Guo Xiang
Nothing created the world and nothing lies behind it; each thing changes by itself and is complete when it lives out its own nature.
Placement
Editor and commentator of the Zhuangzi: there is no creator and no non-being behind things – each thing “transforms by itself” and is fulfilled in its own nature.
Key ideas
- Self-so (ziran)
- Self-transformation (duhua)
- Contentment with one’s lot
Influence
Influenced by 1
Zhuangzi
influenced by
Guo Xiang’s commentary read the Zhuangzi as teaching that each thing arises of itself, and his 33-chapter edition is the received text; he reportedly drew on Xiang Xiu. Guo Xiang, Zhuangzi zhu; Liu Yiqing, Shishuo xinyu; B. Ziporyn, The Penumbra Unbound (2003); SEP “Neo-Daoism”
Evidence: AI draft
Zhuangzi › c. 369–286 BCE
Criticism
Criticizes 1
Wang Bi
criticised
Guo Xiang denied, against the view of nonbeing as the root associated with Wang Bi, that nonbeing can produce being: things arise of themselves (Commentary on the Zhuangzi). Guo Xiang, Zhuangzi zhu, on ch. 2; B. Ziporyn, The Penumbra Unbound, 2003; SEP “Neo-Daoism”
Evidence: AI draft
Wang Bi › 226–249
Works
Guo Xiang’s 33-chapter edition of the Zhuangzi – the one still read today – with a commentary: everything is “so of itself”.
Position
Guo’s 33-chapter edition of the Zhuangzi is the one read today. His commentary makes it a philosophy of self-so-ness (ziran): there is no creator, and being cannot come from non-being, so each thing transforms itself (duhua) – against Wang Bi’s non-being as root. Each thing has its own nature and share; the great bird and the little dove are equally free when each follows its nature. The sage need not flee the world; he can govern with a free mind. Modern critics see this as justifying the social order. How much he owes to Xiang Xiu is disputed; many scholars think he used Xiang’s work and went beyond it.
Life & context
Guo Xiang, born probably c. 252 in the region of Luoyang, was famed for his brilliant conversation. Having at first declined office, he later rose to high rank under Sima Yue, Prince of Donghai, during the civil wars of the late Western Jin; contemporaries criticised his use of power. He died in 312. Ancient sources charged him with taking over an earlier Zhuangzi commentary by Xiang Xiu.
Further main works
- Edition of the Zhuangzi in 33 chapters (c. 300)
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