On the Ideal Personality Advocated by Zhuangzi and Its Cultural Significance

The ideal personality advocated by Zhuangzi is that of a “real man” — the surpassing integrity of pure temperament and elevated spiritual delight untouched by the outside distractions — which is far beyond the usual concept of life and death of this world. This ideal derives from Daoism, which emphasizes the perfect harmony of man and the natural environment in which he lives, and it exerts a profound influence on the formation of the concept of the ideal personality of the “real man” advocated by the others. The cultural significance of the study on Zhuangzi’s ideal personality lies in the fact that it helps mould the temperament, elevate the mind and enrich the soul.