Mengzi and Zhuangzi’s Understanding of Emotions

In today's increasingly uncertain society, Zhuangzi is often praised as a great individualist who worships absolute freedom. Some call him an optimistic nihilist. However, if you focus on the Zhuangzi's argument about emotions, you doubt that he is a person who has neglected the feelings of himself and others. Because of this, it is very important to properly grasp the understanding of Zhuangzi’s opiniom towards emotions. As far as emotion is concerned, Mengzi and Zhuangzi are in different positions. Mengzi positively and actively embraced emotions, and furthermore laid the foundations of his studies on emotions. He saw heaven as a nature within man, and that nature manifests itself with emotion. Because of this, he argued that humans should live according to their emotions, and that social problems should also be dealt with based on emotions. On the other hand, Zhuangzi had an indifferent attitude toward emotions. He also saw that human beings can't be without emotions. At the same time he felt that the act of suppressing emotions was not appropriate. However, he insisted that because emotion interferes with mental and physical tranquility, it must be let go constantly. Modern emotional psychology determines that Zhuangzi's attitude toward emotion is unhealthy. Even if emotion makes me tired, I must actively embrace it and examine its cause and meaning. Instead of letting go of my feelings, I have to move in the direction it dictates. Only then will I be able to lead an emotional life with abundant emotions and empathy for others.