本文以《莊子．人間世》作為對象，重新思考「莊子尊孔」此項論題。透過解析文本中各段以「孔子」為主角的段落，一方面審視莊子借用這種形象所欲探討和建構的思維內容；另一方面，亦連結這些理念所依附的「孔子」形象進行對照，思考莊子何以借用這種形象來陳述，以及二者在理念上的距離遠近。莊子在此篇文本中呈現兩種不同的孔子形象：體道者與執跡者，同時對應著虛構的創造性孔子與史實的歷史性孔子，兩者之間的交會象徵著莊子對孔子既有所承續，亦有所超越，而在這種矛盾並存的現象中，全盤否定其對孔子的尊崇而言刺孔，或轉化所有譏刺而言尊孔，似都有所不足，故本文保存尊與不尊的層面而採「知孔」立場。

This article revisits the topic “Zhuangzi Honoring Confucius” based on investigating the chapter “In the World of Men” from the Zhuangzi. On the one hand, by analyzing the paragraphs whereby “Confucius” is featured as the main character, this paper examines the notions that Zhuangzi wishes to explore and construct by means of the “Confucius” imagery. On the other hand, the paper compares and contrasts the “Confucius” imagery and Zhuangzi’s ideas to contemplate Zhuangzi’s reasons for inserting such imagery in his own narrative, and to discern the ideological similarities and differences between Zhuangzi and Confucius. There are two types of “Confucius” imageries featured in the Zhuangzi a person comprehending Taoism and a person pursuing achievements. Through juxtaposing the fictional and historical Confucius imageries, this paper argues that the intersection of both types of imageries represents Zhuangzi’s acceptance and transcendence of Confucius ideology. Hence, under such conflicting contexts, it is inadequate to claim that Zhuanzi either “deprecates Confucius,” by repudiating all his praises for Confusious, or “honors Confucius,” by reverting all his criticisms about Confucius. Therefore, to encompass both aspects of “honoring” and “deprecating,” this paper adopts instead the position of “comprehending Confucius.”