Zhuangzi and the development of Zhuangist thought (4th–2nd century BCE)

1. Warring States context shapes early Daoist debates

   Jan 1, 475 BCELabels: Warring States, Daoism

   • Britannica
   • SEP Zhuangzi

2. Zhuang Zhou becomes active in late 4th century BCE

   Jan 1, 369 BCELabels: Zhuang Zhou, State of

   • SEP Zhuangzi
   • OUP Guide

3. Inner Chapters form an early Zhuangist core

   Jan 1, 320 BCELabels: Zhuangzi Inner, Philosophical core

   • SEP Zhuangzi
   • OUP Guide

4. Outer and Miscellaneous chapters expand Zhuangist thought

   Jan 1, 250 BCELabels: Outer Chapters, Miscellaneous Chapters

   • SEP Zhuangzi
   • Wiki Zhuangzi

5. Zhuangist themes circulate within Warring States literature

   Jan 1, 239 BCELabels: Lao Zhuang, Warring States

   • REP Lushi
   • Wiki Lushi

6. Early imperial unification changes philosophy’s audience

   Jan 1, 221 BCELabels: Qin unification, Early Imperial

   • Wiki Lushi
   • SEP Zhuangzi

7. Western Han scholars compile and preserve earlier texts

   Jan 1, 110 BCELabels: Western Han, Han scholars

   • Britannica Sima
   • Wiki Yiwenzhi

8. Imperial bibliographies record a longer Zhuangzi

   Jan 1, 110Labels: Imperial bibliographies, Zhuangzi

   • SEP Zhuangzi
   • Wiki Yiwenzhi

9. Xiang Xiu writes an influential Zhuangzi commentary

   Jan 1, 300Labels: Xiang Xiu, Commentary tradition

   • Wiki Xiang
   • IEP Guo

10. Guo Xiang edits Zhuangzi into 33 chapters

    Jan 1, 312Labels: Guo Xiang, 33 chapter

    • SEP Zhuangzi
    • IEP Guo

11. Guo Xiang’s framing shapes Zhuangist interpretation

    Jan 1, 320Labels: Guo Xiang, Xuanxue

    • IEP Guo
    • SEP Zhuangzi

12. Composite Zhuangist text becomes the enduring legacy

    Jan 1, 400Labels: Composite Zhuangzi, Canonical text

    • SEP Zhuangzi
    • Wiki Zhuangzi