蓋莊子〈逍遙遊〉一文,恢宏瀟落、氣勢壯闊,為三十三篇開篇之首,也是其內在精神之結穴所在。通觀莊子哲學之用心,旨在消解生命之有待與執著,使昏闇狹隘的心靈得以提升為一涵蘊「大有」之生命化境。是以在本文當中,共分五節來開展出莊子之藝術精神。第一節旨在透過莊子、郭象及支遁的觀點來分析〈逍遙遊〉的概念並以美學的角度來看待其文學表現手法。第二節以道、物對立的模式,來探討小大之辯與工夫修養之層次。第三節為理想人格:聖人、神人與至人之呈現。第四節乃論體道之人所經驗到的藝術境界。第五節為生命無限自由的審美情境。在此,透過工夫與境界的逐一開顯,展現出莊子的美感經驗及其藝術性的生命情態。因此徐復觀先生即言:「老、莊思想當下所成說的人生,實際是藝術地人生;而中國的純藝術精神,實際係由此一思想系統所導出。」
Xiaoyaoyou is the most important chapter in Chuang Tzu and its inner spirit is to liberate one's life from the pain, fame, and any restraint. When one transcends all the constraints, he can really ramble in the realm of the Infinite with bliss and freedom. In the essay, there are five sections to spread out the artistic spirit in Xiaoyaoyou. First, I discuss the concept of ”Xiaoyao” with Chuang Tzu, Kuo Hsiang and Chih Tun; simultaneously, probe his literary expression in the aesthetic way. Second, through the ”P'eng (鵬) and little birds” fable, I reveal the importance of Practicism. Third, the main point is to display how people can achieve the ideal character. Fourth, the gist is to interpret the artistic spirit of the perfected person. Finally, I try to explore the meaning of infinite freedom. Through the five aspects, we can realize that the notion of Xiaoyao is the same as the trait of art, so Hsu Fu-Kuan said, ”Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzus' view of life is the artistic life, and Chinese art spirit actually derives from the thought.”(superscript 39)