About Yan Fu's Research On Zhuang Zi

While Yanfu was translating and introducing western culture to China, he searched for the elements in Chinese traditional culture that matched with western thoughts. He was strongly in favor of "Zhuang Zi" which emphasizes the freedom of mind. While he was writing "Comment on Zhuang Zi" in his late age, he translated the masterpiece in a brand new way. He thought that "Zhuang Zi" was not only characterized by materialism, but was also quite scientific. Its emphasis on freedom of mind quite matched with the democratic thoughts in western culture. He especially put forward the opinion that "Zhuang Zi" reflected the idea that "Tian Yan" and "Evolution" are actually two thoughts that merge together. He broadly compared "Zhuang Zi" with western thoughts, and brought in fresh thoughts into the field. This brave trial opened a new door for the following researches.