《노자연》제1장 시론

This essay examines Wang Fuzhi’s the Corollary of the Lao Tzu, focusing particularly on the first chapter. It reveals his philosophical elaboration on the concepts of the virtual and the actual, similar to G. Deleuze’s discussion in Différence et Répétition. Since Wang Pi’s commentary, Lao Tzu has been interpreted as presenting metaphysical notion of ‘Nothing’ as genesis of existence. However, Wang Fuzhi opposed these interpretations, arguing that existence cannot originated from nothing, as this is inherently impossible. From the perspective of the relation between the virtual and the actual, the thought that arises is intuition. Therefore, I conclude that the intuition of the virtual and the actual serves as the foundation of the Corollary of the Lao Tzu and underpins Wang Fuzhi’s philosophy. One day in late autumn 1999, when I visited Professor Zhu Bokun’s home, he remarked, “Pay attention to Wang Fuzhi’s ‘Guan觀’.” I asked him what he meant, but he offered no further explanation, looking at me and repeating it. I was shocked, but I could not help but cherish it for a long time. Five or six years ago, I began to seriously consider this issue through studying Hu Hong, and I am now delighted to submit a assignment briefly. I miss my late mentor and dedicate my essay to him.