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Master Zhuangzi and Master Hui
were walking on the dam over the Hâo,
when the former said,
‘These thryssas come out and play about at their ease;
– that is the enjoyment of fishes.’

The other said,
‘You are not a fish;
how do you know what constitutes the enjoyment of fishes?’

Master Zhuangzi rejoined,
‘You are not I. How do you know that I do not know
what constitutes the enjoyment of fishes?’

Master Hui said,
‘I am not you; and though indeed I do not fully know you,
you certainly are not a fish,
and (the argument) is complete against your knowing
what constitutes the happiness of fishes.’

Master Zhuangzi replied,
‘Let us keep to your original question.
You said to me,
“How do you know what constitutes the enjoyment of fishes?”
You knew that I knew it,
and yet you put your question to me;
– well, I know it
(from our enjoying ourselves together) over the Hâo.’

–Zhuangzi, The Floods of Autumn, by Zhuang Zhou, trans. James Legge

On a lazy Saturday morning, it is 7:30AM at Starbucks.  I enjoyed this vignette.  Two friends are walking across a dam spanning the Hâo river.  Zhuangzi expressed his delight viewing the minnows swimming easily in the water.  His companion responds, “How do you know the fish are enjoying themselves since you are not a fish?”

I certainly recall my feelings in such situations.  You offer what you intend as a straight forward observation.  Your companion replies with a question, to which is appended a “gotcha” answer…  Without warning you’ve been ambushed, and discomfort is felt.

How would you know anything about fish feelings?  Well?

Is this a ‘slam dunk’, a clear indication you’ve failed a test?

Not exactly.

The argument depends upon the meaning of enjoyment, a sense that any human able to use the terms happiness and enjoyment has to understand.

Zhuangzi suggests enjoyment of walking across the dam is intuitively understood by his partner in dialog and still Hui questions so to ensnare his companion.

Why?  Is he having “a bad day?”