History of Philosophy: India, Africana, China HPC 42. A Black and White World: the Zhuangzi on Shi-Fei Dogmatism
Dec 7, 2025
Dive into a fascinating exploration of Zhuangzi's critique of dogmatism and its relevance to today's political polarization. Discover how binary thinking limits perspectives, illustrated through engaging animal stories. The podcast also contrasts the rigid mindset of ‘shi-fei’ with the adaptable flexibility of sages. Examples of well-meaning actions that backfire highlight the dangers of imposing one's values on others. It's a deep philosophical journey that challenges listeners to rethink clarity, truth, and governance.
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Argument As Combat, Not Inquiry
- Zhuangzi criticizes rival schools for turning debate into competitive win-lose contests rather than truth-seeking.
- Shi-fei denotes a mindset that prioritizes victory and hostility over illumination and understanding.
Heart‑Mind As Gatekeeper
- Shi-fei compounds 'shi' and 'fei' into a disputatious mindset rooted in the heart-mind (xin).
- The completed heart-mind is full of its own views and cannot welcome other perspectives.
Masters Imposing Their Joy
- Zhuangzi gives examples like Zhao Wen, Xi Guang, and Hu Zi who impose their delights on others.
- These skilled men enthusiastically try to make others value what they value, illustrating controlling completed heart-minds.