Daoist Skepticism: Epistemic Inquiry in the Writings of Zhuangzi

Donald N. Blakeley

California State University, Fresno

The paper examines the critical concerns formulated in the (“inner Chapters”) writings of Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu, c. 369-286 BCE) with respect to the question “What is the nature of human knowledge?” The epistemic positions that are delineated fall roughly into a spectrum that extends from common sense realism, to realist relativism, to non-realist relativism, to skepticism. The logical transition of this inquiry is investigated. The final part of the paper assesses the consequences of Zhuangzi’s skeptical position on this issue and also in light of his influential standing in the history of Daoism.