I love what you say about Zhuangzi (“Once you know that you do not know…”).
My favorite passage along these lines from the Zhuangzi is in chapter 2 (I think): “How do I know that what I call knowing is not really not knowing? How do I know that what I call not knowing is not really knowing?”
There’s a strong family resemblance between Zhuangzi and my favorite ancient Greek dude, Socrates (who famously said in the Apology “I know that I do not know”).
Zhuangzi and Socrates share many themes: wisdom begins in epistemic humility, playful irony as a teaching tool (you really see this in Socrates’ exchange with Meletus (one of his accusers) in the Apology), and suspicion of experts who claim certainty.
Of course there are striking differences: Socrates pursues TRUTH. Zhuangzi is not interested in pinning down universal truth.
Thank you, Michael. Very much appreciate your eclectic mix of contemporary ways to integrate the wisdom of the ages. I recall a similar concept to the theme of this essay which might add two more traditions. Hazrat Inayat Khan (a Sufi) teaches that the story of Jesus walking on the stormy water was not about his super-hero physical power of levitation, but a metaphor for holding one’s center and essentially “surfing” through the chaos that is life. Always struck me as a useful reframing of a story familiar to many in the West.
I love what you say about Zhuangzi (“Once you know that you do not know…”).
My favorite passage along these lines from the Zhuangzi is in chapter 2 (I think): “How do I know that what I call knowing is not really not knowing? How do I know that what I call not knowing is not really knowing?”
There’s a strong family resemblance between Zhuangzi and my favorite ancient Greek dude, Socrates (who famously said in the Apology “I know that I do not know”).
Zhuangzi and Socrates share many themes: wisdom begins in epistemic humility, playful irony as a teaching tool (you really see this in Socrates’ exchange with Meletus (one of his accusers) in the Apology), and suspicion of experts who claim certainty.
Of course there are striking differences: Socrates pursues TRUTH. Zhuangzi is not interested in pinning down universal truth.
FUN STUFF.
Loving this badass response Random Chick. 🐥 Both Zhuangzi and Socrates are fire 🔥
Thank you for bringing our attention to Taoist ways of thinking and integrating 🙌🏽
"Its better to be aware than it is to be smart." I love this!
“You can’t outthink the Tao.”
Loved this line!
Thank you, Michael. Very much appreciate your eclectic mix of contemporary ways to integrate the wisdom of the ages. I recall a similar concept to the theme of this essay which might add two more traditions. Hazrat Inayat Khan (a Sufi) teaches that the story of Jesus walking on the stormy water was not about his super-hero physical power of levitation, but a metaphor for holding one’s center and essentially “surfing” through the chaos that is life. Always struck me as a useful reframing of a story familiar to many in the West.