Introduction

Traditionally seen as an anti-moral or amoral text, the Zhuangzi has been interpreted by some scholars as dismissing moral judgments and social norms. Others, however, argue that it contains a rich ethical framework, emphasizing equality, self-cultivation, social harmony, and the exercise of prudence. This introduction offers an overview of this background and the current state of the field of Zhuangzi’s ethics, with the aim of demonstrating the purpose of this volume. Additionally, it provides a summary of the twelve essays included in this volume.