『莊子』 내 ‘而’의 철학적 함의 연구

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to highlight the concept of “ér” (而) as the grammatical basis of Zhuangzi (『莊子』) through the relationship between the Zhuangzi’s philosophy and narrative technique, while also criticizing the existing system of interpretation that attempts to excessively grammaticalize the text’s language. This study also explores the philosophical implications of “ér” in Zhuangzi, which have not been given much attention over the years. The general issue of violent language raised by Zhuangzi has been constantly emphasized in the discussion of deconstructionist themes since the 2000s. However, with the general understanding of Zhuangzi’s linguistic philosophy characterized by a developed bias towards his skeptical view of language, it is true that the explanation of the specific grammatical basis of the text, the point that language is actively used because linguistic violence is strategically suppressed, is rather incomplete. As a result, there have been many instances of excessive grammaticalization of Zhuangzi in previous studies, alienating the language of the original text as an isolated and monologic text. The process of searching for a grammatical basis that accurately portrays Zhuangzi’s motivation to express the limits of language, without omitting the categorical functionality of language, requires supplementation through a dynamic, dialogic relationship between Zhuangzi and the reader. To that end, this study does not fixate its interpretation of Zhuangzi to a particular form or type. Rather, by ensuring the maximum degree of autonomy in interpretation, this study not only gives rise to difficulties in reading comprehension, but also, at the same time, liberates readers from the restraints of dynamism. In doing so, the most habituated and deautomated language can be traced to designate “ér” as the grammatical philosophy of Zhuangzi. Thus, for the purpose of this study “ér” in Zhuangzi is interpreted as a form of degrammaticalization or silence. Furthermore, it can be confirmed that, by straying from the pre-set linguistic mediums found in environments characterized by involuntary thought, readers can experience a style of reading comprehension that inevitably gives rise to diverse meanings through a dynamic, dialogic relationship. Lastly, this study aims to shed light on the philosophical implications of Zhuangzi’s inanimate language, “ér”, from the perspective of Mikhail Bakhtin’s concept of philosophical transgression and Gilles Deleuze’s concepts of comprehensive disjunctive synthesis and becoming.