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Single Idea 7289

[from 'The Book of Chuang Tzu' by Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu), in 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 1. Knowledge ]

Full Idea

Do not try to do things. Do not try to master knowledge. ...Just be empty.

Gist of Idea

Do not try to do things, or to master knowledge; just be empty

Source

Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) (The Book of Chuang Tzu [c.329 BCE], Ch.7)

Book Reference

Chuang Tzu: 'The Book of Chuang Tzu', ed/tr. Palmer,M /Breuilly,E [Penguin 1996], p.64


A Reaction

Stands as a nice challenge to the assumption that knowledge is a good thing. Aristotle's views make a nice contrast (Ideas 548 and 549). Personally I totally agree with Aristotle, and with the western tradition.

Related Ideas

Idea 548 Knowledge chosen for its own sake, rather than for results, is wisdom [Aristotle]

Idea 549 All philosophy begins from wonder, either at the physical world, or at ideas [Aristotle]