《莊子》倫理思想的關懷向度

Abstract

「關懷」一概念，是為關懷倫理學之理論核心，「關懷」是其核心精神，亦是實踐目的，在理論趨向上，《莊子》與關懷倫理學有相類的理論進路及價值取向，然兩者卻也有諸多不同。本文透過關懷倫理學之理論視角，以「關懷」作為問題意識、研究方法，一方面試圖闡釋《莊子》倫理思維中的「關懷」特質；另方面使《莊子》關懷倫理之思維更加清晰。故而「關懷」是一把鑰匙，能打開《莊子》哲學中關懷倫理之向度，透過文本的再詮釋、理論之重新建構，「關懷」之內涵將不限於關懷倫理學所述，進而得到充實與擴大；同時地，亦透過「關懷」此一對話基礎，使《莊子》哲學得以思考與回應關懷倫理學之理論困境，此理論進路能使莊學得以參與進當代對話與應用。 本文以「幽暗意識」、「氣論」、「語言」以及「政治」等四個主題，對《莊子》「關懷」思維進行不同面向之分述，首先，透過《莊子》文本之身體隱喻，探索各異生命之脈絡性與故事性，深入體會生命中所存在之負面的、難解的甚至醜陋的面向，筆者將其理解為生命之「幽暗意識」，然而唯有接納這類人性的不堪處，才得以相互轉化、協調以及和解，這是《莊子》人性論中重要之關懷面向。同時地，理解生命之幽暗處才能使「關懷」得以發揮、有效，筆者嘗試指出，立基於生命幽暗而引發之關懷，將對於個體生命有最為深刻之療癒性。 次之，筆者以「氣」為主題，以跨文化研究為方法來出發，指出《莊子》「氣」論缺乏倫理學面向之討論，《莊子》「氣」概念有豐富之情感性質，以「氣」主導之倫理實踐，實具有「關懷」意義，在於其以流通、變化、不設限等方式對他者進行回應。第三個主題，則從《莊子》語言觀去反思，何種語言最能傳遞或是體現「關懷」？在《莊子》是以引發「聆聽」的語言作為呈現，稱為「弔詭」的語言。最後，透過〈天下〉的政治反思，筆者嘗試指出「通」是《莊子》「關懷」政治最佳地體現與實踐方法，「通」同時也是「相忘」的基礎，而「相忘」是其關懷政治之理論目的。 本文之文章脈絡始於重視個體生命之獨特脈絡，從此視角進一步談「氣」在關係中的連結性；「語言」的工具與實踐性以及「政治」之公共性。文章之視角從個體的、內在的，轉為面向大眾的、公共的，故而文章結構從存有層面逐步走向意識他者、實踐方法與面向群體等向度。透過本文之分析，筆者試圖彰顯《莊子》的關懷倫理學，其理論特質為：《莊子》關注於每一個活生生地個體生命，每個生命皆有其故事性、脈絡性以及幽暗性，而其關懷向度，展現於真正地「走入」其中進行理解與包容，此與關懷倫理學有著根本之不同，然兩者卻同樣深刻地體現「關懷」之價值。

The concept of "care" serves as the theoretical core of the ethics of care, representing both its central spirit and practical objective. In terms of theoretical orientation, the Zhuangzi shares a similar approach and value system with the ethics of care, despite exhibiting significant differences. Adopting the theoretical perspective of the ethics of care, this study uses "care" as its central research problem and methodology. On one hand, it attempts to elucidate the characteristics of "care" within the ethical thought of the Zhuangzi; on the other hand, it aims to clarify the framework of Zhuangzian care ethics. "Care" thus functions as a key that unlocks the dimension of care ethics within Zhuangzi's philosophy. Through textual reinterpretation and theoretical reconstruction, the connotation of "care" expands beyond the scope defined by the ethics of care, gaining enrichment and broader scope. Simultaneously, using "care" as a foundation for dialogue enables Zhuangzi's philosophy to critically reflect upon and address the theoretical dilemmas faced by the ethics of care, thereby allowing Zhuangzi studies to actively participate in contemporary discourse and practical applications. This study analyzes the ethical thought of "care" in the Zhuangzi across four dimensions: "dark consciousness," "qi theory," "language," and "politics." First, through bodily metaphors in the Zhuangzi, this paper explores the contextualized and narrative nature of diverse lives, examining the negative, intractable, or even unsightly aspects of human existence—termed here as the "dark consciousness" of life. Accepting these frailties of human nature is a prerequisite for mutual transformation, harmonization, and reconciliation, forming a vital dimension of care within Zhuangzi's view of human nature. Recognizing this dark side enables care to function effectively; care rooted in the awareness of life's darker aspects offers the profoundest therapeutic potential for individual existence. Second, adopting a cross-cultural methodology with "氣qi" as its topic, this paper points out the lack of ethical discussion surrounding "氣qi" in Zhuangzi scholarship. "氣Qi" in the Zhuangzi possesses rich emotional resonance; ethical practice guided by "氣qi" inherently carries the meaning of "care," as it responds to the Other through flow, transformation, and unbounded openness. Third, reflecting on the Zhuangzi's view of language, this section asks what form of language best conveys or embodies "care." In the Zhuangzi, this is presented as a language designed to evoke "listening," termed "弔詭paradoxical" language. Finally, through political reflections in the "Tianxia" chapter, this paper attempts to point out that "penetration/unobstructed flow" (通tong) is the ideal manifestation and practical method of Zhuangzian care politics. Tong serves as the foundation for "mutual forgetting" (相忘xiang wang), which constitutes the ultimate theoretical objective of its care politics. The narrative arc of this study originates from an emphasis on the unique contexts of individual lives, progressing outward to examine the relational connectivity of "氣qi," the instrumental and practical dimensions of "language," and the public realm of "politics." The perspective transitions from the individual and internal toward the collective and public, moving systematically from the realm of ontology to the awareness of the Other, practical methodology, and community engagement. Through this analysis, the author attempts to highlight the unique theoretical character of Zhuangzi's ethics of care: it focuses on each concrete, living individual—acknowledging that every life possesses its own narrative, context, and dark consciousness. Its dimension of care is demonstrated through genuinely "stepping into" these lived realities to achieve understanding and acceptance. While fundamentally distinct from the ethics of care, both frameworks profoundly embody the core value of "care."