A Comparison between Zhuangzi and Krishnamurti from Philosophical Hermeneutics Approach

Abstract

Although the thought systems of Zhuangzi and Krishnamurti are not completely consistent, they have comparable similarities. In the chaotic times in which they lived, both philosophers did not strive to establish a certain kind of nationalism, but instead advocated introspection and externalisation of human life and spirit, and pointed out another way with their own practice. This article attempts to use Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics as a theoretical basis to detect that the cognition of Zhuangzi and Krishnamurti finally returned to the center of practical philosophy. Therefore, taking these two philosophers as a comparative study has its significance of super-time and space interaction. The results of the comparison can be roughly summarised into the following points: 1. The mission of the times and the influence of the environment; 2. Time and life and death as the door to perceive the universe; 3. The awakening of wisdom and the good use of science and technology; 4. Krishnamurti's language and Zhuangzi's meaning are re-understood.