Chuang Tzi

Just an essay I wrote a while back for assignment. Hope you have some fun reading it.


It is Chuang Tzu’s assertion that most distinctions are arbitrary, hence most arguments are futile. To what extent are his arguments convincing and logical?

Chuang Tzu argues that most distinctions are arbitrary, which make arguments based on such distinctions futile. By ‘arbitrary’, he is suggesting that distinctions depend on individual discretion and are not fixed by any rule or law. Hence, if every single different distinction is based on some reasons, then it must be true if considered in a certain context. Thus, if everything is true, and right, then there really is no reason to argue and negate, which makes argument futile and purposeless. His argument is largely convincing and logical because firstly, one’s perspective of matters is greatly colored by their personal experiences and principles, which makes argument futile because there is no common basis of comparison. Secondly, due to human’s ignorance, our stance change frequently making argument pointless because what was decided today may not stand tomorrow. Thirdly and more importantly, arguments are futile because there is no way to find out for sure if a conclusion is absolutely right or wrong. Since a conclusion can never be reached, why bother to have an argument about anything?

Due to people’s different personal experiences, we all have a unique set of principles and perspectives on the same matter, resulting in futile argument because there is hardly any basis of comparison. Take a nursery rhyme that we are familiar with as an example.

“Row, row, row your boat,

Gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream.”

In the normal linguistics context, the use of the word “but” suggests that life is a dream. However, one can tweak the meaning of “but” around such that the function of the word is to negate. Then, the verse will suggest that life is not a dream. Many find the second meaning faulty, due to how they have been taught about linguistics. The ones who are acceptable of the second meaning are able to disregard whatever knowledge they have about the use “but” and consider another alternative. Hence, depending on our perspective and culture, we respond to things differently. In chapter 20 of Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters, Chuang Tzu suggests that “Humans consider Mao Ch’iang and Li Chi the most beautiful of women. But if fish saw them, they’d head for deep water. If birds saw them, they’d scatter into azure depths. If deer saw them, they’d go bounding away. So of these four, which knows the truth about beauty for all beneath heaven?” Through the use of various animal imagery and exaggeration, the comparison set up between all the different species produces a humorous effect. This ridicule human’s definitions of beauty, and more significantly, mocks the claims we make about matters. These claims are unnecessary as they are founded on different basis of comparison. This is the principle of relativity, which suggests that everything is the way it is claimed to be as long as there are justifications. Hence, arguments based on such claims are unnecessary and useless because all arguments are right with relative to something.

Human's ignorance renders most of our argument futile. Due to our lack of understanding and narrow view of matters, we often fail to overlook certain details which can be so minute, or even non-existent in the grander scale of things. Arguments hence arise when we place too much focus on these irrelevant details. Simply illustrated in Chapter 13, “three in the morning” of the same text, “a monkey trainer who said at feeding time, “You get three in the morning and four in the evening.” The monkeys got very angry, so he said, “Okay, I’ll give you four in the morning and three in the evening.” At this, the monkeys were happy again.” In the bigger picture, the monkeys did not gain anything more in the second proposal, yet they were more satisfied with it. This illustrates the lack of complete understanding of the monkeys, thus rendering their argument with the trainer futile. The use of anecdote and metaphor effectively convey the idea that humans are ignorant and more importantly, provoke readers to reflect about such similar experiences. By relating his arguments to readers’ personal experiences, Chuang Tzu is able to persuade the readers to agree to his arguments.

Being a practical person, the most compelling reason as to why arguments are futile is not because distinctions are arbitrary, but because there is no conclusion to arguments. It defeats the whole purpose of having an argument because if one cannot convince another to agree to his argument, and himself cannot agree to another’s argument, and no one is able to decide on which is  the correct argument, then the entire episode is just a waste of time. Even if someone is able to decide on which is the correct argument, if anyone disagrees, the argument continues endlessly. In Chapter 22, of Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters, he explains

“Suppose I win and you lose. Does that mean I’m really right and you’re wrong?

Is one of us right and the other wrong? Are we both right and both wrong? …

We could get someone who agrees with you, but if they agree with you how

could they decide who’s right and wrong? … We could get someone who

agrees with both of us, but if they agree with both of us how could they decide?

Not I nor you nor anyone else can know who is right and who wrong. So

what do we do? Wait for someone else to come along who can decide?”

Chuang Tzu illustrates the inconclusiveness of arguments through his pseudological debate, and along with the questioning technique at the end of the debate, a sense of hopelessness is evoked in the reader.  This further persuades the reader the futility of arguments because there is absolutely no way to arrive at any sort of a resolution.

In conclusion, Chuang Tzu is largely convincing and logical in presenting his argument that most arguments are futile due to the fact that most distinctions are arbitrary. However, it is ironic that this argumentative essay tries to discuss about the futility of arguments. Hence, although the stand of this essay supports the argument put forth by Chuang Tzu, the very existence of this essay negates it. The fact that the essay supports Chuang Tzu’s argument renders all the arguments presented in the essay useless. Hence, I apologize for wasting your time in reading this essay because nothing stands.

References

Song lyric of Row Row Row Your Boat, Virtual Songbook

Retrieved from: http://www.scoutsongs.com/lyrics/rowyourboat.html

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations

Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Chuang Tzu: The Inner Chapters, trans. David Hinton (Counterpoint, 1998)

Burton Watson’s translation (NY: 1968)

Retrieved from: http://terebess.hu/english/chuangtzu.html

Lin Yutang’s Translation (Taipei, 1948)

Retrieved from: http://mindgazer.org/tao/chtzu_level.htm

“Introduction” – Chuang Tzu, The Complete Works of Chuang Tzu, Burton Watson, Trans. (NY: Columbia University Press, 1968)

Tissue that got wet

I always wondered why does tissue becomes harder after they've got wet and dry again.

Today, I had an idea.

They got stronger.

Definitions

Throughout the history of mankind, we attain knowledge by defining and classifying things, people and matters. So much so that the process of defining has become an intrinsic habit. This has made the presence of definitions so important in our lives that we find ourselves lost and confused when we fail to define certain matters. Definitions help us process the happenings around us, it makes matters more lucid and hence allowing matters to be more easily communicated. We have become so used to defining everything that the inability to define throws us into a world of uncertainty and amibiguilty, and for some of us, it is intolerable.

Same Old Conflict Between the Heart and the Mind

Most of the time, my mind and my heart agree with each other on whether something can be done or not and if a certain risk is worth taking. There are hardly any time where my heart wants something that my mind doesnt allow it to possess, except dessert. Dessert will always be an exception. However, right now, my heart is demanding for something that even it is not sure if it really wants, and my mind ain't letting my heart make the decision. It will be so much easier if my heart knows exactly what it wants but it cannot know without trying, but trying is not an option here. It really isnt't. I can just follow what my mind thinks but how can I just ignore my heart when it demands to be felt, and what if I thought wrong? Maybe I need a bit more time for my heart and my mind to come to a common concensus. However, this luxury of time is not something that my conscience is allowing me to have. And to be honest, I am so scared that if I give my heart and mind all the time they need, they will take the easy way out and won't ever make a decision. That, that is the worst and most hateful.
I saw this quote from a friend's fb wall.

"Nothing lasts forever, so live it up, drink it down, laugh it off, avoid the bullshit, take chances & never have regrets, because at one point everything you did was exactly what you wanted."-Marilyn Monroe

That sounds just about right, just do what you want and live life with no regrets. Month ago, that will be my advice to myself for everything in life,but now, I am starting to see that there are some regrets that I must and have to live with.

I think I might go with my mind, but another problem. How do I go about breaking that news to the heart? How to do it as gently as possible so that minimal pain is inflicted? The heart knows that pain is coming, but that doesn't mean it is ready for it.

This Is For You

I hope that one day, you will learn to make yourself happy and not wait for others or external events to brighten up your day.

I hope that you will stop wishing for a better day and start making your day better.

I hope that you can have a little more faith and confidence in yourself, and stop living on assurance from others.

I hope that you will only do things because you want to and not because you think it will make you indispensable. No one is indispensable.

I hope that you can be a bit more honest with yourself.

I hope that you can try to put yourself into another's shoes more frequently.

I hope that one day, you will be enough for yourself.



If not, I hope that you will have enough strength to survive life.

How I wish my friends are rocks

Recently, so many things happened for the first time, but they all end up having me wishing that my friends are rocks.

I haven't got into trouble for telling the truth for a while now, until last Saturday. Telling lies is obviously wrong, but I forgot this really important advice that a friend had given me, that is if I have nothing nice or good to say, just dont say anything. I am a very frank and honest person, even insensitive and hurting at times when I forget the power of my words and the weight they carry. Sometimes, I am too dumb to see the extent of impact they have on people until damage is done. Done and never gone. Anger and humiliation can be treated with reflection and  sincere apology, but pain, hurt will never go away, even if there is forgiveness. I guess that's why they say people will forgive, but they will never forget, not because they don't want to, because they can't. Once in a while, just when you think you have gotten over the pain, something will happen to kick you in the gut and say 'Hey! You're never getting rid of me!' This pain is stubborn, unreasonable and well, forever.

This is why I wish my friends are rocks, so that they are impenetrable. Impenetrable in the sense that my cutting edge words cannot go through, can't even touch them and not in the sense that my friends are impossible to understand. I am very lucky that I have more than a couple of rock friends, so grateful for them, for being who they are and accepting me for who I am. But greedy me am greedy, I hope that all my jelly friends will one day become rock friends, while I learn to wield my sword.

Two people

I never used to like going out with just one friend, like two people. Okay, that's not a fair way to put it because before this period of time, I never go went out with just one friend, so a more accurate way of putting it is I didnt like the idea of going out with just one friend. I used to think that it was too, intimate and intense. And very easy to get awkward (I am a very awkward person, even after my social skills got slightly better). I like a group of three, it just feels right. It is just fitting for any corridor too; you can walk side by side without hearing any 'tsk' from strangers. Anything more than three is rather hard because people will break up into groups. And you cant walk side by side. However, some time back, I went out with just one friend, and it turned out well surprisingly.

There is something amazing about going out with just one friend. You notice things that you never do when you go out as a group, you discover new things about the friend, you establish more similarities and differences between the two of you, you go into debates over something trivial forever, you become exceptionally frank and straightforward, you hear the other person humming to a random song, you feel the person's slightest reaction to her surroundings. It is like, your entire attention is given to that one person and you're rewarded with a new perspective and experience. Wow, that's really intimate and intense. And odd, I'm actually okay with that.

What you say and what others hear

It is amazing. How you can say one thing and another understands it to be a completely different thing.

I was discussing about my future job with my mother after dinner. I am not 100% sure, but I may join the police force. That is okay with her, but I think she wants me to get a job that pays better.

First misunderstanding.
What I said: It will be very difficult, possible even impossible, to reach the top position of the police force, espcially when I'm a female.
What she heard: I will never get promoted and will always remain at the bottom. (and so will my paycheck)

Second misunderstading.
What I said: Money is not everything.
What she heard: Money is nothing.

It is truly unbelieveable what she can make out of what I'm saying. I'm not saying that I will never get promoted, I'm just saying probably not to the highest position, and I'm not saying that money is not an important factor, I'm just saying that it should not and is not the only factor to consider when I choose my career.

There was a period of time when she and my Aunt managed to convinve me that money is the only important consideration. That I just find a job that I dont hate and pays good money. Once I have money, I can pursue my interests and passion in my free time. They said careeer and interests ought to be different things, and only a handful v lucky people can get to do a job they really like and get paid for it. I believed them. Then someday, I think after a convo with a friend, I realised it need not be this way. Coming from a not very well-to-do family, I do recognise that the importance of money, not just for survivial, but for indulgence as well. Of course, I will love to earn lotsa money, but that is not going to be the main priority. I need more than just money to lead my life, I need challenges, new experiences, a sense of satisfaction, meaning, I need to be a part of something bigger. I cant just live for myself, or just my family. And, my mum, the adults who are bribed over by money, they just cant understand. They have been made cold and hard my money, and I have no wish to become like that.

But I guess thats what happens when you have to foot a pile of bills every month. Maybe even have to worry to make ends meet and try not to show it. 

Please, dont let become like that. Oh, in order to not become like that, I need to have lots of money right.

Damn this shit.

Just Another Day

So I havent been doing much recently. My job laid off for about two weeks. Shred some jeans, watch episodes after episodes of Nikita and Suits. Made planners. Read books, the Huunger Games Trilogy got me hooked. At first, I cant quite get used to the mention of killings so frequently and easily in the first book, but I guess thats how I got so drawn into this other world because it is so different from the world that I live in right now. Then progressively, it got me thinking. Are we really living in such a different world from what was portrayed in the books?

With the extensive media reports, tabloids and reality tv shows, we are indulging in some sort of entertainment at the expense of others. And these people, they too constantly put on a show for the audience, us, likes to see. Willingly or not, I'm too sure though. Then, there are those seperated, specialised districts, where people are born into their lifes and have no means alter them. Of course it is not as bad as in reality, but only in my reality. I cannot imagine what is it like for the less fortunate people born in other realities. (I kinda feel ashamed, and it is v hard to explain why. Like here I am talking about people who are less fortunate, like that is gonna change anything for them. Just sitting in front of my laptop and talking.)

Right now, I just started Mockingjay, right about the part where Katniss agrees to be the mockingjay and is shooting her propagando video. It is funny that these people, they "escaped" the control of President Snow, into the control of President Coin. Right now, it seems this way, and a quote I recently saw came to mind.

No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky.
Bob Dylan

There can never be true freedom and democracy. And just like everything else, we gotta find a good balance that we can accept.

Conversation with Pap in the car

On the way there,

Pap: I've asked about the bicycle, but I am worried that it will be dangerous. Cycling on the road, and with all these rascal drivers out there.
Me: But Im not cycling on the road, I am cycling on the bicycle pathway beside the pedastrian pathway.
Pap: Then how are you gonna get there? You have to cross some roads right?
Me: Yeah
Pap: Then what? You're going to walk and push your bicycle?
Me: If that's what you want..
Pap: I think since you're cycling on the cycling path, why not just go to East Coast Park?
Me: But it is so far away!
Pap: I can drive you there every Sunday or something.

.
.
.

Pap: ... If she doesnt want to go to the Doctor's, it is her choice. She is an adult already. Not like yall are still primary school kids. There's nothing much I can do.
Me: ...

Life's irony and human double standards at its best.

On the way back,

Pap: Are you still in touch with your primary schools friends?
Me: Not really, no. We follow each other on FB and Twitter, but we dont talk.
Pap: Why? What happened?  It's good to have more friends. And have gatherings once every year or something, they are nice, special. Heart-warming. I remember yall in primary school, inseparable, Dolbie and Shermaine, yall even made a shirt that says 'Best Friends Forever' or something.
Me: Yeah it is hard to maintain contact..
Pap: Why? Just talk. Time passes so fast.

I wanna know why and what happened to. Time happened, did it?

Random thoughts about the day

Two things made today a little more interesting than the rest.

First, I actually smiled because of nothing that concerns me. I derived a sense of joy from looking at others and this is certainly the first for me. And not once, but twice today! It could be my moodswings but neh. The first was when I was in the train. This little boy, 4-6 years old (Im not very good with age) was sat in the reserved seat beside his mother, who was on her phone. I think he was bored so his played with his reflection in the glass, seems like he was trying to make a butterfly by hooking both his thumbs. This curious mind twisted and turned his arms but still wasnt satisfied then he stopped. Children being children cant sit still. He then proceed to try to get his mother's attention. He got off his seat and stood in front of his mother, leaning in real close into her face. His mother, possibly finally realising her negligence, stopped with her phone and took him up to cuddle and kiss him. AWW. I smiled. Such genuine affection and love between the two. I sincerely hope that that will not change as time passes.

The second things that made me smile was this guy. I was going down the stairs of the station when a scarf with beads and reflective scales caught my eye. What a hideous scarf. Turning to get a better look, a man was trying to get it off him. He was wearing a hot pink singlet that is too tight and too short, showing off chest and abdomen. I cant quite remember his hair and his bottom, but he was plugged in, and he was singing out loud. Mind you, I was plugged in too and I could hear him sing. He was also dancing along with the scarf in his two hands at each ends. He didnt care at all that everyone he passed couldnt stop looking at him, including myself. And more importantly, people smiled. I smiled. Okay, I'm not sure if the others were laughing at him or anything but I was happy that someone in this world is happy to be himself, regardless of the possible judgements from everyone else. He didnt care about aything other than himself, and in this context, it is a great thing I feel.

The second thing that made today a little more interesting is that I found out that I cant be mean. Like real mean. I went for career briefing today and I only found out that it was about Sales and Marketing when I cant leave. At the end of the two hours, they wanted us to sign up for training. I wasnt interested and I told the lady. She persisted of course, trying to convince me otherwise, how I should give myself a chance to learn more about sales during the training, how much money I can earn after, how impressive my resume will be blah blah blah. I still told her no and she insisted I tell her why, and I cant bring myself to it. Honestly, I dont like the idea of going into sales because I am scared that it will changed me into someone that I dont want to be. I dont want to look at everyone and everything and simply just see what benefit I can gain from it/them or how much I can make. Yes, I have that little faithin myself. And I know if they succeed in convinving me to join them, they will get paid. So I wondered how much of this is really about helping others and giving them opportunities for personal growth more than the money she will get. Also, I have a very biased and unfair view of this sector. I seem to think that I will have to lie or hide some truths, go against my morals in order to make the sale. Of course, not all sales people are like that, but some are and I dont want to risk myself being one of them. I will hate myself. Back to my point, I cant tell her all these, can I? Regardless of my tone and her wanting my honest opinion, I will hurt her and demean the job she is doing, and I dont want to do that, especially when she is so kind.

Then on the way home, I was scrolling through Tumblr and can across this picture of a note pad. Someone has written 'Hey if you're reading this, you're beautiful +  I love you. Never change.' I clicked repost, and added the comment, 'You dont even know me, Stupid.', changed it to 'You dont even know me, Dumbass.', then delete it all together. Honestly, that was really what I thought, what a stupid thing to say to me when you dont know me and havent even met me. Then something more important came up, the person who wrote that and took a picture of it was just trying to do do soemthing nice, trying to encourage someone out there who needs it, and there is no need my praticality and "negativity". Plus, most of the time, tumlr is such an emo place, there is enough sadness on its own. Sometimes, people dont want to know the truth and who am I to break their bubbles, that will be just mean.

I think I have grown a little today. To feel joy indirectly and not be so honest. Maybe, Im not that heartless afterall.

First time working

I worked for the first time on my own yesterday as a waitress. People tell me that waitressing is tough job, but I guess I gotta try it for myself heh. It is indeed tough, on the legs, especially if you're wearing a new pair of black flats from Rubi, which practically has no sole. I'm considering investing in a more comfy pair of flats, since I might be on this job for a while, intro anyone?

After I changed into a too big and purple top with black pants, along with 2 friends we followed the guy in charge, Ant, turning here and there, corridors after corridors into a storage room full of metal cupboards and glass trays. We placed our bags on top of one of the huge metal shelves and set off to work.

Everyone seemed to know which ballroom they belonged to and what they ought to do the moment they got there. I just followed Ant, walking to and for, until he assigned me to this Auntie, whom I think thought that I was a nuisance. We were supposed to pour ice water into the glasses. Everyone in the ballroom had a jug, except me. When I asked where can I get one, the Auntie told me to check to bar, like I really know the place and where everything was placed. So, the beginning hour was me feeling terribly lost, useless and unwanted. Okay, I might have exaggerated a little.

Slowly, people started coming in, and I gotta serve drinks. Now, it's not as simple as it sounds. I had to balance several glasses of beverages on a tray that I have never held in my life. It just didnt fit comfortably on my arm. Walking took some effort, mainly making sure the drinks do not spill and the glasses do not vibrate too loudly when I try to walk gracefully and confidently to the guests. Then, I had to attract attention. I had to find a way to make the guests notice me in between greetings, hugs and kisses and exchanging of namecards. And, I cant quite interrupt them, that would be quite rude. Plus, this in on top of the fact that I am quite an awkward person, who kinda stumble over my words when Im nervous and a bit hard on hearing. Truly great training for my social skills.

The worst part of the night is over. Following, I just had to get the timing right to collect the plates, such that I dont interrupt the guests and I clear the plates quickly. And dont spill or drop anything and guests and keep walking around to look busy HAHA

My co-workers are generally friendly people when we start working. They taught me the little tricks that makes life a bit easier and constantly asked if I am okay. More importantly, they were very tolerant of my abundance of questions, which I am very grateful for. Then there is this guy in his late 20s early 30s, who is very talkative, and overly nice to me. He is a cook from the other ballroom and he whipped up some pasta for me, only. Which is nice, I mean who doesnt like good food. He asked for my FB... and I gave........ (No comments to myself.) Then I got reminded of Tess Durbeyfield. Hm. Maybe I think too much like I always do. We'll see.

Never Gonna Be Comfortable

So today, my friends and I went to town to get stuff for Seniors' Night, and while we were waiting to cross the road, we saw this girl. She was wearing a kinda faded Ultramarine blue shirt, brown berms and had her hair tied up in a haggard pony tail. She is really young, like a couple of years younger than us. She had a cigarette in her hand.

The whole time while we were all waiting for the green man, she was constantly flicking her thumb to rid the ashes from the stick. Then she brought it to her mouth, the other hand covering and took a puff. Somehow, her manner didnt seem natural at all, and my friends and I concluded that she is very 'Act'. It was obvious that it was a pretense, that she is trying to be someone she is not, trying to look cool with a cigarrette in her hands, like she is all grown up and in control with her life. When the man turned green, we started crossing and a few seconds later, she bent down in the middle of the road to pick up something. She dropped her cigarette.

I started to feel sorry for her. I pitied her. Why, why must she try so hard to be someone that she is not, trying to fit into some mould that seems endearing. Then I realised, it is freaking hard to be comfortable in your own skin. It is so easy to feel insecure about oneself and so easy to look up to someone else, wishing that you will be like him/her. Worse, to be him/her.

I dont think it will ever be possible to be hundred percent, always feeling good about oneself, so this is just a tiny reminder to appreciate those precious moments, and you know, try to make those moments more frequent. I think it is ok to change, to be influenced, but it is also important to stay unique. Like choices that you make for yourself, it will be great if it was entirely but to you. But these are rare, so at least, make sure that you have a say in your choices. Did I just create a paradox here HAHA