ABSTRACT
In this essay, I shall present a comparative study of two leading Daoists'， different conceptions of truth in the context of modern metaphysical debate on realism and antirealism. My basic contention in this essay is that both Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi embrace the realist’s thesis that the world is largely independ ent of us and the way we are; it has its own objective nature. But Lao Zi and Zhuang Zi differ in their opinions on whether our judgments could reflect, depict, or correspond to the way the world is. In my analysis, Lao Z i’s view on truth is likened to metaphysical realism, while Zhuang Z i，s view on truth is likened to internal realism. Hilary Putnam at one time or another championed both forms of realism. My exposition of the two forms of realism will be based on Putnam’s interpretation and others’ analysis of Putnam’s usage.1 I will analyze Lao Z i’s and Zhuang Z i’s views on truth and reality to demonstrate the justification for this comparative study. I will also compare Lao Z i，s and Zhuang Z i’s views to see if they can proffer a coherent Daoist conception of truth and reality.
