Abstract
Abstract: Xuan 玄 (mystery, dark) was ascribed critical philosophic importance by many thinkers of the tradition known as xuanxue 玄學 (Scholarly Exploration of the Dark, Neo-Daoism), principal among whom was Wang Bi. Through systematic analyses of the Laozi , he attempted to explore not only how "nonbeing" ( wu 無) is the cosmic force guiding phenomenal existence, but also how xuan and dao 道 are paired, complementary aspects of the "means-by-which-things-are-so" ( suoyi 所以). This article examines xuan from the perspective of Wang Bi and, through a close reading of his commentaries, finds that it signifies that which is holistically unknowable and ineffable, an indiscernible oneness where one can resonate with all things. This is premised on the "necessary" unspecificity of the "One" ( yi 一) and is reflected in his philosophy of language. By exploring xuan in its philosophical, philological, and semantic context, it becomes apparent that it is more complex than previously thought.
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