Scientific definition of TCM——Science,Philosophy,Human,Name and Reality
- VernacularTitle:中医学的科学定位——科学、哲学、人、中医、名实
- Author:
Zhizhong LI
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
TCM;
Science;
Philosophy;
Human being;
Essence and name;
Definition
- From:
China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy
2005;0(04):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The scientific definition of traditional Chinese medicine is the fundamental theoretical subject that determines the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Therefore, the definition and characteristics of science, philosophy and human being need to be explicated as the first step. Science is the study of knowledge which is a precise, systematic, classifying, theoretical system of knowledge. Philosophy is the study of the sciences that is the study of common rules of everything in the universe; its study subjects are the changing process of the nature, the state of changing, and the process of changing. Human beings have two characteristics of physics and metaphysics. The medicine system is classified as western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. TCM is based on the theory and methodology of Y?n-Y?ng-Wu-X?ng, investigating on the changing process of symptoms (Zh?ng-H?u), investigating on the causes and principles of Zh?ng-H?u. Western medicine is based on the methodology of reduction analysis, investigating on the structures and functions of the organs, tissues, cells and molecules. The heritage of TCM needs to be consistent with its essence and its name. The essence of TCM is the study subjects, methodology and practice procedures of TCM; the name of TCM is the verbal descriptions of its concepts and its study field. The tragic damage to the heritage of TCM is that we emphasize the scrutinizing study of the name but underestimate the essence of TCM; consequently, it obstructs the scientific definition of TCM.
