Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity
In contemporary societies, increasing diversity is often accompanied by intensified conflicts across various public domains. While respecting differences is commonly proposed as a solution, this necessarily narrows the scope of shared values, which correspondingly decreases the chances of developing...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/639 |
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| author | Luyao Li Paul J. D’Ambrosio |
| author_facet | Luyao Li Paul J. D’Ambrosio |
| author_sort | Luyao Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In contemporary societies, increasing diversity is often accompanied by intensified conflicts across various public domains. While respecting differences is commonly proposed as a solution, this necessarily narrows the scope of shared values, which correspondingly decreases the chances of developing harmony. Indeed, harmony is frequently criticized for potentially requiring uniformity, which would undermine diversity. This article addresses this challenge by exploring philosophical and religious perspectives drawn from the <i>Zhuangzi</i>. Specifically, we find that a type of dynamic openness can be found in the <i>Zhuangzi</i> which shifts the focus away from embracing a more static “diversity”. Here, openness is understood as emphasizing interconnectedness, mutual influence, and collective transformation, offering a framework for resolving conflicts beyond mere respect for differences. In this article, we argue that one type of philosophical–religious perspective that can be derived from the <i>Zhuangzi</i> advocates for <i>harmonizing openness</i>—a process that achieves consensus while fully allowing for individual differences, rather than enforcing the type of uniformity found in many calls to respect diversity. This perspective offers valuable insights for the navigation of conflict in an increasingly pluralistic world and provides a critique of more popular contemporary approaches. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f04abb8fc2d54f39b5a0cec358b5d2d8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj-art-f04abb8fc2d54f39b5a0cec358b5d2d82025-08-20T03:48:02ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442025-05-0116563910.3390/rel16050639Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting DiversityLuyao Li0Paul J. D’Ambrosio1Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaInstitute of Modern Chinese Thought and Culture, Philosophy Department, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, ChinaIn contemporary societies, increasing diversity is often accompanied by intensified conflicts across various public domains. While respecting differences is commonly proposed as a solution, this necessarily narrows the scope of shared values, which correspondingly decreases the chances of developing harmony. Indeed, harmony is frequently criticized for potentially requiring uniformity, which would undermine diversity. This article addresses this challenge by exploring philosophical and religious perspectives drawn from the <i>Zhuangzi</i>. Specifically, we find that a type of dynamic openness can be found in the <i>Zhuangzi</i> which shifts the focus away from embracing a more static “diversity”. Here, openness is understood as emphasizing interconnectedness, mutual influence, and collective transformation, offering a framework for resolving conflicts beyond mere respect for differences. In this article, we argue that one type of philosophical–religious perspective that can be derived from the <i>Zhuangzi</i> advocates for <i>harmonizing openness</i>—a process that achieves consensus while fully allowing for individual differences, rather than enforcing the type of uniformity found in many calls to respect diversity. This perspective offers valuable insights for the navigation of conflict in an increasingly pluralistic world and provides a critique of more popular contemporary approaches.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/639opennessdiversityharmonyconflictrespect |
| spellingShingle | Luyao Li Paul J. D’Ambrosio Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity Religions openness diversity harmony conflict respect |
| title | Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity |
| title_full | Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity |
| title_fullStr | Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity |
| title_short | Harmonizing Openness in the <i>Zhuangzi</i>: A Critique of Respecting Diversity |
| title_sort | harmonizing openness in the i zhuangzi i a critique of respecting diversity |
| topic | openness diversity harmony conflict respect |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/16/5/639 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT luyaoli harmonizingopennessintheizhuangziiacritiqueofrespectingdiversity AT pauljdambrosio harmonizingopennessintheizhuangziiacritiqueofrespectingdiversity |