Zhuangzi, Freedom, and the Ability to Change Perspectives: A Daoist View of the Right to Education

Baldwin Bon-Wah Wong; Ho Chuen Kwan

doi:10.4324/9781003697572-13

Zhuangzi, Freedom, and the Ability to Change Perspectives: A Daoist View of the Right to Education

Baldwin Bon-Wah Wong
, Ho Chuen Kwan

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Despite its significant influence in East Asian cultures, Daoism’s impact on human rights remains underexplored in scholarly debates. This chapter aims to deepen our understanding of the right to education by drawing from Zhuangzi’s Daoist philosophy of freedom. For Zhuangzi, freedom is not just about the range of choices (negative liberty) or rational decision-making (positive liberty); it concerns maintaining inner peace amid external disruptions. This form of freedom requires the ability to change perspectives, choosing the view that dispels negative emotions like sorrow and resentment. Thus, if the right to education is to empower freedom, it must encompass more than literacy and numeracy, including critical thinking, cultural and diversity education, and experiential learning.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Human Rights and East Asian Philosophy
Subtitle of host publication	Traditional and Recent Approaches
Editors	Benedict S. B. Chan, Baldwin Wong
Place of Publication	London
Publisher	Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group)
Chapter	10
Pages	192-213
Number of pages	22
Edition	1st
ISBN (Electronic)	9781003697572
ISBN (Print)	9789048570546
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003697572-13
Publication status	Published - 22 Apr 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 4 Quality Education

Access to Document

10.4324/9781003697572-13

Cite this

@inbook{cabf2d29b8df401ba8029c8616342195,

title = "Zhuangzi, Freedom, and the Ability to Change Perspectives: A Daoist View of the Right to Education",

abstract = "Despite its significant influence in East Asian cultures, Daoism{\textquoteright}s impact on human rights remains underexplored in scholarly debates. This chapter aims to deepen our understanding of the right to education by drawing from Zhuangzi{\textquoteright}s Daoist philosophy of freedom. For Zhuangzi, freedom is not just about the range of choices (negative liberty) or rational decision-making (positive liberty); it concerns maintaining inner peace amid external disruptions. This form of freedom requires the ability to change perspectives, choosing the view that dispels negative emotions like sorrow and resentment. Thus, if the right to education is to empower freedom, it must encompass more than literacy and numeracy, including critical thinking, cultural and diversity education, and experiential learning.",

author = "Wong, \{Baldwin Bon-Wah\} and Kwan, \{Ho Chuen\}",

year = "2026",

month = apr,

day = "22",

doi = "10.4324/9781003697572-13",

language = "English",

isbn = "9789048570546",

pages = "192--213",

editor = "Chan, \{Benedict S. B.\} and \{ Wong\}, \{ Baldwin\}",

booktitle = "Human Rights and East Asian Philosophy",

publisher = "Routledge (Taylor \& Francis Group)",

edition = "1st",

}

Zhuangzi, Freedom, and the Ability to Change Perspectives: A Daoist View of the Right to Education. / Wong, Baldwin Bon-Wah; Kwan, Ho Chuen.
Human Rights and East Asian Philosophy: Traditional and Recent Approaches. ed. / Benedict S. B. Chan; Baldwin Wong. 1st. ed. London: Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group), 2026. p. 192-213.

Research output: Chapter in book/report/conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Zhuangzi, Freedom, and the Ability to Change Perspectives

T2 - A Daoist View of the Right to Education

AU - Wong, Baldwin Bon-Wah

AU - Kwan, Ho Chuen

PY - 2026/4/22

Y1 - 2026/4/22

N2 - Despite its significant influence in East Asian cultures, Daoism’s impact on human rights remains underexplored in scholarly debates. This chapter aims to deepen our understanding of the right to education by drawing from Zhuangzi’s Daoist philosophy of freedom. For Zhuangzi, freedom is not just about the range of choices (negative liberty) or rational decision-making (positive liberty); it concerns maintaining inner peace amid external disruptions. This form of freedom requires the ability to change perspectives, choosing the view that dispels negative emotions like sorrow and resentment. Thus, if the right to education is to empower freedom, it must encompass more than literacy and numeracy, including critical thinking, cultural and diversity education, and experiential learning.

AB - Despite its significant influence in East Asian cultures, Daoism’s impact on human rights remains underexplored in scholarly debates. This chapter aims to deepen our understanding of the right to education by drawing from Zhuangzi’s Daoist philosophy of freedom. For Zhuangzi, freedom is not just about the range of choices (negative liberty) or rational decision-making (positive liberty); it concerns maintaining inner peace amid external disruptions. This form of freedom requires the ability to change perspectives, choosing the view that dispels negative emotions like sorrow and resentment. Thus, if the right to education is to empower freedom, it must encompass more than literacy and numeracy, including critical thinking, cultural and diversity education, and experiential learning.

U2 - 10.4324/9781003697572-13

DO - 10.4324/9781003697572-13

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9789048570546

SP - 192

EP - 213

BT - Human Rights and East Asian Philosophy

A2 - Chan, Benedict S. B.

A2 - Wong, Baldwin

PB - Routledge (Taylor & Francis Group)

CY - London

ER -

Zhuangzi, Freedom, and the Ability to Change Perspectives: A Daoist View of the Right to Education

Abstract

UN SDGs

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this