What Is Global Laozegetics?: Origins, Contents, and Significance

Abstract

Mainstream scholarship on the Laozi or Daodejing generally focuses on the “original” text and its “original” meaning. However, the Chinese study of Laoxue 老學 (translated here with the author’s neologism “Laozegetics”) offers a valuable alternative, as it shifts focus to the hermeneutical and historical value of the 2185 Chinese, 430 Japanese, and 91 Korean relevant interpretations and commentaries on the classic. The inclusive perspective of Laozegetics has further inspired the author’s creation of the term “Global Laozegetics”. This even broader topic assumes both Laozi commentaries and translations (all 2051 in 97 languages) belong within a single field of research. To better introduce the study of Global Laozegetics to an English-language readership, this article will explore the history of the term Laoxue, review contemporary related research, and present the content and significance of applying the notion of Laozegetics to the globalized Laozi.

A Paratext Perspective on the Translation of the Daodejing: An Example from the German Translation of Richard Wilhelm

“…As the cornerstone text of Daoism, it is recognized globally as crucial for studies in Chinese philosophy, culture, religion, and history. As noted by Misha Tadd, the number of translations and commentaries on the Daodejing is massive, boasting a remarkable 2051 versions in 97 different languages (Tadd 2022b). This places the Daodejing in the most extensively translated and deeply impactful literary compositions worldwide.…”

Reception History and Early Chinese Classics

“…For a few examples of excellent work on the Zhuangzi's reception, see (Angles 2020;Brackenridge 2010;Chai 2008;Chapman 2010;Choi 2010;Epstein 2006;Fang 2008;Harack 2007;Idema 2014;Liu 2016;Möller 1999;Qiu 2005;Saso 1983;Saussy 2017;Specht 1998;Swartz 2018;Tang 1983;Wang 2003;Xiong et al 2003;Yu 2000;Zhang 2018;Ziporyn 2003). 17 I changed the transliterations from Wade-Giles to Pinyin in this quotation.…”