"I Lost Myself": A Classical Idea of the Self. Issue 2 (3rd April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaoming, Chen
• Is Part Of: Contemporary Chinese thought. Volume 48:Issue 2(2017)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2017-04-03
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; Philosophy -- China -- History -- Periodicals; 181.11
• DOI: 10.1080/10971467.2017.1435934
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1097-1467

Abstract

EDITOR'S ABSTRACT: This is a reflection on the notion of "self, " primarily on the basis of a story in the Zhuangzi in which the protagonist claims: "I lost myself." Chen first reiterates the grammatical differences between the uses of 吾 (wu) and 我 (wo), and continues with a reflection on their philosophical meaning. He argues that the notion of " wo " is more spatial, connected to the body, and distinguished from others; " wu " is more temporal, related to one's memory and self-understanding. The loss of " wo " by " wu " is a liberation from interpersonal tensions and the emphasis on one's body.