A Study Of Interactive Connection Between Zhuangzi And Child Philosophy

"Children are born philosophers" is one of the core propositions of philosophical research on children.However,it is this proposition that has attracted no small amount of controversy.In what sense children can be called natural philosophers has become an important issue in the research of philosophical theory of children.It now appears that this proposition can be understood in at least two different directions.First,the child is a naturally malleable individual with the potential and predisposition to become a philosopher.Second,children are born to be philosophers.The discussion of this problem will directly affect the design and implementation of philosophy for children.If standing in the first position,the task of philosophy for children is to teach philosophy to children and guide them to stimulate the potential of becoming a philosopher.At present,the mainstream philosophy for children in China is carried out in this sense.Philosophy for children from the second position emphasizes listening,attention and respect for children themselves.The main task of philosophy for children in this sense is no longer to teach philosophy to children,but to listen to children,discover children,and think with children.This kind of philosophy for children is not mainstream in China,but it occupies a mainstream position in the discourse of the theoretical circle.The root of this tension between theory and practice lies in the fact that it is difficult for the researchers of philosophical theory of children to truly identify the identity of children and philosophers.As far as western philosophical tradition is concerned,philosophical thinking needs rigorous logic and systematic thought.No matter how much scholars try to avoid it,the problem is always there.This paper is a new attempt to this problem.As a matter of fact,if we limit our horizon to Western philosophy,the above difficulties will indeed exist.However,if we transfer our eyes to Zhuangzi’s philosophy,we will find that Zhuangzi’s spiritual purport of being carefree and complacent is exactly the same as children’s mental state.Therefore,this paper tries to make a creative interpretation of the inner theory of children’s philosophy based on Zhuangzi’s philosophy,so as to provide a new possibility for the theoretical research of children’s philosophy.Chapter one discusses the possibility of interactive connection between Zhuangzi’s philosophy and children’s philosophy.Children’s philosophy originated in the United States in the twentieth century,while Zhuangzi’s philosophy originated in China more than two thousand years ago.The foundation of interactive connection between the two is human nature itself.The fundamental question that Zhuangzi wants to explore is how to settle down life.The emergence of human society itself is to enable each individual in the group to better ensure their own survival.However,society is alienated in the process of development.Zhuangzi saw that the real world was full of killing and suffering.Therefore,Zhuangzi struggled to find a way to settle down in his life.To settle my life,I first need to settle my body so that it will not be mutilated or destroyed.However,Zhuangzi realized that the alienation of the society is not only in the physical body,but also in the soul.The destruction of the heart can lead to a deeper level of pain.Therefore,the core of the life of settling yourself is to be safe and secure.Children are the very model of safety and security.On this point,as the originator of Taoism Laozi has been aware.Can you breathe as soft as a baby?He that hath virtue is thicker than a bare child.These words indicate that Taoist philosophy has discovered the special value of children in its search for a way to settle down in life.Children’s characteristics of softness,inaction,lack of desire and simplicity are the ideal pursued by Taoism,and of course by Zhuangzi.Therefore,children are undoubtedly close to the Supreme and divine beings of Taoism,and are philosophers in the sense of Taoist philosophy.The second chapter focuses on the relationship between the life state of children and the ontology of Taoist philosophy.Through the research and elaboration of the categories of Tao,nothingness,one,nature,free and easy,nature,language and meaning in Taoist philosophy,the researcher seeks for the potential relationship between these categories and children.These categories fall into several main categories.The first is the direct expression of Zhuangzi’s philosophical truth,such as Tao,non,one,nature and other categories.The second is the indirect expression of Zhuangzi’s philosophical truth,such as free and easy,nature and so on.Within these categories,there are some basic features.Such as origin,openness,rheology,etc.These characteristics are precisely the characteristics of children’s lives.Although specific,individual children in reality can’t be perfect to show these characteristics,but this does not prevent children in these characteristics of the outstanding performance.Therefore,the life state of children is closer to the so-called "Tao" in Zhuangzi’s philosophy.The description of truth in Zhuangzi’s philosophy is basically consistent with the life state of children.The third chapter focuses on the concrete practice of philosophy class for children.In the theory of Zhuangzi’s philosophy,in order to achieve the realm of Tao,there is a corresponding method.Discussions of this method are often called the theory of gongfu.Based on Zhuangzi’s philosophical perspective,children’s life state is basically close to the realm of Tao or free and unfettered.Then,on the one hand,the task of philosophy of children is to listen to children and let them naturally and freely show their true state of life.On the other hand,we try to help them keep their original mind,so that they can stabilize their life state and keep their life realm in the process of their natural growth.Zhuangzi also has a lot of important enlightenment to the development of children’s philosophy in the discussion of the congou theory,such as xinzhai,zuowang,chengxin,tianlai and so on.