A Study on the Perspective of Public Office and Employment of Zhuangzi

Abstract

Scholars in ancient East Asian society tried to practice humanities by going on the path of public office after polishing their studies. In particular, Confucianism viewed study and public office as a virtuous cycle. Among ancient thinkers, Zhuangzi is usually regarded as having a negative attitude towards this. Of course, employment today is wider than public offices in that it encom-passes public offices, public and private enterprises, and self-employed businesses. Employment can be said to have a more general characteristic in that it does not require only the will of Confucian scriptures(四書五經) according to individual choices. In addition, employment is basically focused on profits and aims at individual self-realization. Zhuangzi tends to oppose public office, just as he might refuse an offer from the prime minister. In addition, Zhuangzi does not directly discuss employment. How-ever, Zhuangzi suggests a third way beyond the confrontation between usefulness and dance. Here, the possibility of public office can be derived. Furthermore, Zhuangzi actually presents a master sage(至人) engaged in various livelihoods. This can be extended to activities that engage in livelihood and enjoy hobbies according to Dao(道). In this paper, I would like to draw a meaning-ful proposal for a person considering employment today through the perspective of Zhuangzi's public office and employment.