On Zhuangzi’s Theory Of Ignorance

Philosophy originally means the love of wisdom. On general, wisdom is always connected with the study of knowledge. However, Zhuangzi shows a completely opposite attitude towards knowledge. Zhuangzi holds the opinion that ignorance contains positive value-it guards the naive nature of human beings, helping us to return to the regime of heaven and to obtain the wisdom of Tao. This article will assay the idea of ignorance in Zhuangzi to reveal its implied meanings.In the first chapter, we will proceed from the basic meaning of ignorance, namely the lack of knowledge. The mainstream in both western philosophy and Chinese philosophy respects knowledge and disgraces ignorance. But Zhuangzi argues knowledge, even it was extended to the max, is only the low level of wisdom that would break the wholeness of Tao and bend one’s innocent nature into hypocrisy. Thus, Zhuangzi advocates for a pre-civilization state in which people cohabit with beasts and all livings in ignorance.In the second chapter, we will further deepen the meaning of ignorance by discussing the tacit knowledge which is under the horizon of the subject. Different from the explicit knowledge, tacit knowledge goes beyond the limitation of language and is blended in action-- characters easily found in the philosophy of Zhuangzi. In Zhuangzi’s thought, language itself, which is related to a minus knowledge as a result of distinction, is not sufficient to fully express the meaning, especially the supreme Tao. Tacit knowledge practically implies a harmony between body and mind, the fading of consciences and an unfolding of the ignorant body. Only in this way can the regime of heaven enter into the human beings.In the third chapter, we will finally reveal the deepest level of ignorance—the genuine knowledge that embodies the Tao. In contrast to pure ignorance which is pre-knowledge, ignorance based on the comprehend of Tao doesn’t eliminate every knowledge but transcends knowledge and enters into the metaphysical world.Therefore, the ignorance of knowledge is genuine wisdom. What’s more, the man who has the wisdom of Tao can live a free life.By the discuss step by step of ignorance of Zhuangzi, the significance of ignorance turns to ontology from epistemology, which regards the human life as the highest aim. However, Zhuangzi doesn’t reasonably treat history and civilization, which requests us to have a dialectical attitude towards the ignorance.