The motherboard of myriad things: Daoism, Zhuangzi, and the Internet

Abstract

Machines, instruments and tools offer many benefits, but according to the classical Daoists—Laozi and Zhuangzi—they can also interfere with living a life in harmony with nature. Despite this, the Zhuangzi offers numerous stories of individuals who use technologies whilst exemplifying the virtues of a sage, although how this is achieved is not well understood. I examine two recent interpretations and argue that they are problematic on both philosophical and interpretative grounds. In their place, I offer a new solution based on comparing Zhuangzi with recent studies of the effects of the internet on the way we think.