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Lao-Zhuang Philosophy and Wei-Jin Scholars: Represented by Ji Kang and Ruan Ji

Author(s)

Wenxi Zhou1, Pinghua Liu2,*

Affiliation(s)

1College of Chinese Language and Literature, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China 2School of General Education, Guangdong University of Science and Technology, Dongguan, Guangdong, China *Corresponding Author

Abstract

This paper explores the interaction between Lao-Zhuang philosophy and Wei-Jin scholars (220–420 CE), set against the backdrop of social upheaval and intellectual critique of Confucian rituals during the period. Adopting a historical and literary analysis, it examines how Taoist concepts of Tao, wuwei (non-action), and ziran (naturalness) resonated with scholars seeking spiritual freedom and individual liberation. Key findings reveal three dimensions of influence: 1) Scholars embraced wuwei-inspired lifestyles, rejecting materialism for nature and inner cultivation; 2) Lao-Zhuang ideas shaped literary expressions, such as Ruan Ji's Yonghuai Shi and Ji Kang's poetry, embodying the "Wei-Jin demeanor"; 3) Thinkers like Wang Bi and the group of Ji Kang and Ruan Ji reinterpreted Taoism through "mysterious learning" (xuanxue) and the mantra "transcend Confucian norms to follow nature," blending tradition with contemporary ideals. The study concludes that Lao-Zhuang philosophy served as both spiritual solace and intellectual catalyst for Wei-Jin scholars, who in turn popularized and evolved Taoist thought. This symbiosis not only defined an era's cultural ethos but also solidified their collective legacy in advancing Chinese philosophical and literary traditions.

Keywords

Lao-Zhuang Philosophy; Wei-Jin Scholars; Spiritual Freedom; Governance through Non-Action (Wuwei); Transcendence of Worldly Conventions

References

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