The Doctrine Of Self-attainment In Guo Xiang

Self-attainment is a core concept frequently used in Guo Xiang's philosophy.Although it has multiple meanings,self-attainment mainly refers to ontological existence and the process of generation in practice.Those two aspects respond to the questions of “Why do things live?” and “How should things live?” respectively.The conclusion of the former is self-existence and the latter is self-achievement.Self-existence remains accidental by denying the Creator and causality.This kind of existence emphasizes absolute change and focuses on the present rather than the past or future.Hence,it is an existence that transcends time and it can only be grasped in the way of encounter.Meanwhile,Guo Xiang highlights variety and individuality of things.So as to,the question of “Why do things live?” is transformed into “Why does this thing live at this moment?”Self-achievement revolves the process of being what is required by nature.In view of the importance that this process means the most fundamental and basic characteristic of human being,Guo Xiang distinguishes “to be” between “ought to be” in the frame of human being's “role and part”.This difference offers human being some possibilities for self-improvement.However,it calls for the ideal political environment,namely under the rule of a wise monarch.From this perspective,even though the accidental self-existence frees human being from being determined by the Creator or other forces,the freedom without autonomy is sheer self-deception.Because in the process of selfachievement,human beings are still controlled by the wise monarch.