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This paper is a comparative study on the concept of ziran (nature) and norms in Liu Xie's Wenxin Diaolong ... and the metaphysics of the Wei and Jin dynasties. In the Taoist writings of Laozi, "spontaneousness" is put forward as the true meaning of ziran. However, the concept of ziran in Laozi and Zhuangzi is an objective one. The basic defects of this theory are its restriction of mankind and advocacy of nonaction. In the metaphysics of the Wei and Jin dynasties, the main advocators of ziran were unable on a theoretical level to break free from the limitations and philosophical purpose of Laozi and Zhuangzi's ziran concept. Consequently, their thinking stood opposed to the Confucian ethical code and the social norms it embodied. In his Wenxin Diaolong, Liu Xie transforms the objective ziran into a concept that places equal emphasis on mankind and the objective world, and introduces it into the realm of literature, producing such literary theories as the "theory of literal happening" and the "theory of literal nature." Because the philosophical purpose of Liu Xie's ziran theory is to understand the nature of literature in its positive aspects and seek out literary ideals, he made no attempt to refute previous norms, and advocated that in writing one should "zheng sheng" (learn from the sages ) and "zong jing" (emulate the Five Classics). In conclusion, the differing views on norms in the Wenxin Diaolong and the "dark learning" of the Wei and Jin dynasties resulted from differences in ziran concepts and their philosophical purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]