Truth be told, my initial exposure to philosophy was rooted in Western and Ancient Greek philosophies like those of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
However, there was one entrepreneur and company that truly captured my eyes, and that was David Holz, the founder of Midjourney.I have a deep interest for Midjourney as a company, and my admiration goes beyond their decision not to rely on Venture Capital funding. What truly impresses me is their unique and innovative approach to their path. Additionally, the founder, David Holz, appears to maintain a consistently calm demeanor.
Nevertheless, David’s contemplations on Zhuangzi piqued my curiosity about ancient Chinese philosophy, prompting me to delve into its influence on technology, life, and entrepreneurship.
During an interview, David Holz shared that the inspiration for the term “Midjourney” comes from Zhuangzi’s philosophy.
“That is — — We are on a continuous journey, with a rich and splendid past behind us, and ahead lies an exhilarating and incredibly valuable future.”
Moreover, David Holz’s tweets frequently reference Zhuangzi’s ideas. This connection to ancient Eastern philosophy offers a fresh perspective for contemplating the realms of today’s technology and business. This is precisely why I have written this article.
Who was Zhuangzi? What were his philosophical ideas? What does the Daoism mindset entail, and how can it serve as a source of inspiration for us?
(If you’re interested, you can read Burton Watson’s Zhuangzi.）
ZhuangZi，also known as Chuang Chou, was born around 369 BC — 286 BC, and was a native of the state of Song, Meng, during the Warring States period. A thinker, philosopher, and man of letters in the middle of the Warring States period, Zhuang Zi should not have been hired by King Wei of Chu because he advocated freedom. His writings were mostly stories and fables, rich in strange imagery, with a free and flexible use of language, and he was able to write subtle and difficult philosophies in a fascinating way.
Followed with a story:
“Once Zhuangzi dreamt he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and fluttering around, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn’t know he was Chuang Chou. Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Chuang Chou. But he didn’t know if he was Chuang Chou who had dreamt he was a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming he was Chuang Chou. Between Chuang Chou and a butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the Transformation of Things.”
This concept deeply resonated with Zhuangzi: at times, the lines between dreams and reality blur, and dreams can evoke a sense of reality, while life itself may feel dreamlike. In a world where everything is in constant flux, life is perpetually changing, and nothing remains eternally unchanged.
The tale of “Zhuangzi’s Butterfly Dream,” despite its brevity, encapsulates the core of Zhuangzi’s poetic philosophy. In this dream, Zhuangzi envisions beings from the realm of nature, not something else. Within the dream, he and the butterfly meld into one entity, exposing Zhuangzi’s profound connection to and fondness for nature. His aspiration is to attain a profound union with nature.
Fundamentally, Zhuangzi comprehends that he exists within the embrace of nature, an integral component of the natural world. Consequently, he and nature are inseparable. Within Zhuangzi’s philosophical framework, heaven, earth, and humanity should coexist in harmonious unity, akin to the harmony between humans and nature. Humans and nature are inherently intertwined, yet various societal constraints stifle human nature, hindering individuals from fully embracing their innate inclinations. Therefore, breaking free from these limitations becomes imperative to reach the state of “harmony between heaven and humanity,” where the two become a unified whole.
The rapid advancement of technology has ushered in convenience and numerous opportunities in our lives. We now have a wealth of information at our fingertips, and tasks like working from home and staying updated have never been easier. However, alongside these benefits, philosophers have identified several challenges as technology continues to embed itself in modern societies. Research indicates that frequent internet use compels individuals to adopt machine-like algorithmic thinking .
This transformation disrupts our innate deep and creative thinking abilities, which are distinctly human. Technology is reshaping how we process information, connect with others, and remember things, making us less patient, more reactive, and prone to forgetfulness. Is there a solution to these issues? More importantly, how can we maintain our core values and life goals amidst these changes?
The Daoism, an ancient Asian philosophy, holds one potential answer. The Daoist teachings emphasize living in harmony with nature and embracing the flow of life without attempting to control it. True peace can only be attained by understanding our deep desires, detaching ourselves from superficial distractions, and maintaining harmony with nature.
However, as technology continues to rise, many lack guidance on how to navigate its intrusions. Drawing from Zhuangzi’s theory of xinzhai or “mind-fasting,” How we can safeguard our minds from the negative effects of the internet and technology by controlling their usage ?The answers lie in the ancient concept of wu wei — an attitude of sage-like action in the world that involves “action without action,” allowing us to follow the natural flow of life with minimal interference.
Technology should be designed to facilitate wu wei, and users should cultivate this state in their use of technology. We are all aware of how easy it is to spend countless hours online aimlessly. We must return to the original purpose of technology and the internet: to simplify our lives — not to become extensions of the machine. Achieving this may require training and significant effort.
Philosophy, as a discipline, is renowned for shaping the future of our culture. It exerts a lasting influence on our societal status quo and provides insight into our past, present, and future. Dr. Wheeler is embarking on further research into how Asian philosophies can inform the ethics of human-robot interaction .
Indeed, modern challenges demand creative solutions, and in this case, looking back in time and embracing the wisdom of ancient Asian philosophies may hold the key.
The future represents an era characterized by convergence, where politics, business, technology, and culture will intertwine and sometimes conflict with each other. While technology cannot resolve all conflicts, it can offer pathways to discover solutions.
The pivotal element in this equation is still humanity itself. Technology, at its core, is a neutral entity — a medium, an extension, and an enhancement of human existence. Zhuangzi’s philosophy underscores the significance of designing technology more thoughtfully, grounded in an understanding of human nature, ultimately to better serve humanity.
