니체와 ‘노장(老莊)’ - 허무주의(Nihilism)를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This paper investigated positive aspects and limits of post-authoritarian thinking of 'Lao-Zhuang' in terms of nihilism. 'Lao-Zhuang' defied existing fixed values and advocated fundamental criticism. In addition, criticism on mutually exclusive relationship network in the artificial world was expressed via an emphasis on the world of archetype as it is. Extreme distance with realities in society, however, got in the way of re-facing with realities. elements of natural instincts that once functioned as a source of the power to criticize oppressive realities in society are reconstructed into never-changing ‘abstract nature.’ The concept of 'return' of 'Lao-Zhuang' introduce another focus of nihilism, together with Nietzsche’s idea of ‘eternal recurrence.’ However, the concept of return of 'Lao-Zhuang' is imperfectly reflected by means of positive negation in every moment. This perspective is in line with Nietzsche’s ‘passive nihilism.’ While 'Lao-Zhuang' develops his nihilism via fundamental negation of authoritarian values, he does not jump into ‘active nihilism’, which is to affirm ‘nihil’ as it is, but fails to introduce other system of truth.