國立臺灣大學哲學論評

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Under the impact of the post-modern trend of ideas, the concept of subjectivity in the Enlightenment era has been greatly challenged. While the excessive emphasis on the subject may easily lead to the oppression of others and the formation of violence of homogenization, advocating de-subjectivation tends to lead to the emptiness of life and the weakness of practice. Moreover, it becomes difficult to establish ethical responsibility. After all, the subject is a prerequisite for responsibility. This study suggests that when faced with the contemporary crisis of subjectivity, Zhuangzi’s “Yang Sheng Zhu”（養生主） provides a brand-new perspective which can create a more appropriate concept of subjectivity for the contemporary era. As an important philosophical concept, “Yang Sheng Zhu” is not limited to maintaining physical and spiritual health but also points to a personality of life that manages an ethical relationship (caring for relatives). “Yang Sheng Zhu” is a practical process using Qi（氣） and mind cultivation as the key, and the ethical subject achieved by this practice will remain open to the differences of others. This practice no longer only emphasizes the sameness of the subject. However, how to implement such a practice in the context of life is also an important issue. This study probes into Tai Chi, a martial art with classical cultural connotations, and uses the concept of Zhuangzi’s “Yang Sheng Zhu” to interpret the ethical subject achieved by the invisible practice of “understanding of power,” “shenming,” “complete Qi,” “sacrificing oneself to serve others,” and “accepting every encounter” in Tai Chi. This study also uses “extremely soft, and then extremely rigid” to explain that such an invisible practice is not only “de-subjectivation” but also the realization of “subjectivation.” In other words, the ethical subject formed under the interweaving of “de-subjectivation” and “subjectivation” can be regarded as a possible response to the contemporary crisis of subjectivity.