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Wong, DB, The Open Text of the Zhuangzi, in Ethics in the Zhuangzi Dialogues on the State of the Field (January, 2024), pp. 41-63 [doi] .
(last updated on 2026/01/17)
Abstract:
This essay expands on my interpretation of the Zhuangzi, which I have called “constructive skepticism.” I have drawn upon the Zhuangzi to defend my own theory of morality that I have called “pluralistic relativism.” There is danger that people might become confused and identify constructive skepticism with pluralistic relativism. Constructive skepticism is what I attribute to the text of the Zhuangzi. Pluralistic relativism is my own theory. There is overlap between the two, but only overlap that co-exists with significant differences. I clarify this in the essay and defend my interpretation of the Zhuangzi as expressing constructive skepticism. I also defend my view of the Zhuangzi as an “open-text” that gives rise to a variety of voices and views, and I argue that such a variety is compatible with my interpretation of constructive skepticism.

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			Papers Published Wong, DB, The Open Text of the Zhuangzi, in Ethics in the Zhuangzi Dialogues on the State of the Field (January, 2024), pp. 41-63 [doi] . (last updated on 2026/01/17) Abstract: This essay expands on my interpretation of the Zhuangzi, which I have called “constructive skepticism.” I have drawn upon the Zhuangzi to defend my own theory of morality that I have called “pluralistic relativism.” There is danger that people might become confused and identify constructive skepticism with pluralistic relativism. Constructive skepticism is what I attribute to the text of the Zhuangzi. Pluralistic relativism is my own theory. There is overlap between the two, but only overlap that co-exists with significant differences. I clarify this in the essay and defend my interpretation of the Zhuangzi as expressing constructive skepticism. I also defend my view of the Zhuangzi as an “open-text” that gives rise to a variety of voices and views, and I argue that such a variety is compatible with my interpretation of constructive skepticism.