The Concept of Gongsheng in Daoist Philosophy: Examples from Laozi and Zhuangzi

Using examples from the works of Laozi and Zhuangzi, this chapter discusses the connotations and characteristics of gongsheng 共生 in Daoist philosophy. It examines in detail Laozi’s notion of wanwu bingzuo 万物并作 (all things begin together) and zisheng 自生 (self-creation), Zhuangzi’s idea of the simultaneous creation of all things in his “age of perfect Virtuosity” (zhide zhishi 至德之世), as well as the relationship between gongsheng and the doctrine of jigan 寂感 (ontological feeling) in Daoist philosophy. Finally, the chapter also compares the similarities and differences in the concepts of gongsheng between Daoism and Heidegger’s philosophy.