Yang Zhu

Yang Zhu (Chinese杨朱/杨朱, Pinyin Yáng Zhū, W.-G. Yang Chu ) was a Chinese philosopher who is said to have lived in the 3rd century BC. About his life little is known, as his teachings were either passed on orally or lost the scriptures. He is said to have lived at a Fürstenhof in the State of Wei, around 300 BC. What one knows about teaching Yang Zhu, comes from sources other philosophers, especially Liezi and Mengzi.

Yang Zhu's teachings are close to Daoism, especially the teachings of Zhuangzi, but he rejects ethical principles of order in the world and the government of heaven. His philosophy was influenced primarily hedonistic, because he taught that one should life, which does not have much to offer anyway Pleasant, abgewinnen this a few pleasant to the fullest and enjoy and do not suppress the own nature with their desires and impulses.

As pointless refuses Yang Zhu from to seek some form of afterlife, trying to improve the state and society, or want to bring the world into a better order. Equally futile is the pursuit of wealth and honor, or the establishment of family and procreation. It makes sense if only the gratification of the senses. Here, however, Yang Zhu advocated a controllable pleasure, since an excess of sensual pleasure endanger life. Wisdom consists in, first of all determine what desires of her own nature which are detrimental and beneficial.