The Eastern Jin Zhan Zhang Metaphysical Thought

As a well-known thinker of metaphysics in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Chang Zhan wrote lots of books and annotated Works of Liezi. In my thesis, a contrast is earnestly made between Chang Zhan's Annotations on Works of Liezi and the original work Works of Liezi. We can have a better unde(?)standing of Chang Zhan's points of view from the contrast.The fake nature of Works of Liezi is accepted by the academia, and some schola(?)s consider it a book belonging to the decadent school. From the analysis of the meaning of Works of Liezi, I find that the deep social concern advocated by Works of Liezi has nothing in common with the decadent school at all. Emphasizing the influence of the individual on the society is one of the most important differences between Works of Liezi and the decadent school.There are some differences in the thoughts between Chang Zhan's Annotations on Works of Liezi and Works of Liezi. This thesis examines their similarities and differences, and draws the following conclusions:(1) While Works of Liezi regards "Wu" (nothingness) as the first principle, and thinks that "Wu" which gives birth to itself produces "You" (everything), Chang Zhan considers "Zhi Xu" as his first principle, and says that all things that give birth to themselves are not produced by "Wu".(2) While Works of Liezi advocates the importance of enjoying life, including the content and the rule of such a practice, Chang Zhan not only thinks the essential desire of human beings is reasonable but also countenances that the fulfillment of the satis fied spirit should be done by driving desire out.(3) While Works of Liezi denies the justification of the Confucian school, Chang Zhan acknowledges the function of Confucianism in governing a state. However, he claims that Confucianism is useless in the orderly state and the government should do nothing but let it be.