是故,本論文將針對「內聖外王」一說在《莊子》思想中的可能涵義及定位,加以檢視和評估,並嘗試提出個人的觀點和心得。期盼能為學界相關義理之爭,理出一個頭緒,嘗試有所貢獻! On the basis of reliable research documents, Nei-Sheng-Wai-Wang(內聖外王) was first seen in the Tizn-Xia Chapter(天下篇) of Chuang Tzu. Scholars of past ages often study and appraise Chuang Tzu from “Emperor-Managing-the Empire”(帝王治術) perspective and thus lose sight of the significance of oneself making great efforts to get control of his destiny. For example, as early as in the Warring States Period(戰國時代), Xun Zi already pointed out Chuang Tzu was so passive as to let fate have its way and Si Ma-Chian(司馬遷) in Han Dynasty and Wang An-Shi(王安石) in Song Dynasty had similar views, too.
Whether Chuang Tzu can be interpreted from the “Governing-by-Doing-Nothing-That-Goes-A gainst-Nature”(無為而治) outlook or we can just deem it the declaration of Chuang Tzu’s political thoughts, the real issue I think is basically dependent upon how researchers expound and carve out the book into three major parts. Because of the political need for administration, the Outer and Miscellaneous Chapters(外雜篇) of Chuang Tzu have mingled with Huang-Lao thought(黃老思想) and therefore are different from the Inner Chapters(內篇) which lay its stress on forming and nourishing one’s mind and true nature.
For this reason, I’m going to focus on Nei-Sheng-Wai-Wang to clarify its meanings and implications and try to give personal observation and estimation of it.