Guo Xiang on Self-so Knowledge

The perspective on zhi (knowledge) is often identified as a key distinction between the Zhuangzi and its most famous commentator, Guo Xiang . Many scholars who recognize this distinction observe that zhi almost always has negative connotations in Guo Xiangs writing, whereas certain types of knowledge can be positive in the Zhuangzi (e.g. da zhi greater knowledge or zhen zhi genuine knowledge.) In this way, Guo Xiangs comments on zhi seem to stray from the original meaning of the Zhuangzi, and are often dismissed as inaccurate mis-readings, imbued with mysticism and relativism. However, by taking into consideration some aspects of Guo Xiangs socio-historical context, and the larger structure of his complex philosophical system, we find a project quite distinct from that of the Zhuangzi. Like many other Wei-Jin period thinkers, Guo aims bridging some of the gaps the Daoist classic creates between itself and the Confucian tradition. This exposes Guo Xiangs first goal, which, like his intellectual contemporaries, is to unify Daoist and Confucian ideas. In addition, I will argue that if we look at the larger context of Guo Xiangs own philosophical approach, and interpret his notion of zhi within this framework, then we find a strong argument for an alternative to the epistemological perspectives in the Zhuangzi - one that includes mysticism and relativism, but goes beyond them.