Fallible classics

[Guest guest]

>>>>Very interesting. All TCM modern or Classic texts are writer by

people and thus fallible.

 

Of course. If there were perfect people then or now we wouldn't need scholars,

scientists and their disciplines to scrutinize ideas that promise to protect the

span of life each of us believes is our due. But, people aren't perfect, and we

need arts and sciences.

 

We study the traditional literature with scholarly disciplines so we can know as

much as possible about what the people who developed the ideas we are adopting

meant when they wrote that literature. We study using modern research

methods, not only to protect the field's reputation from the damage of biased

results, but also because it increases our practice skills and helps generate

insight. We study the ideas of individuals because human creativity is a source

of invention. These are not either-or propositions. A healthy field has all

these

undertakings and, if everyone keeps their evidence on the table in full view of

everyone else, we will make better choices and the field will develop.

 

 

 

bob Paradigm Publications

www.paradigm-pubs.com 44 Linden Street

Robert L. Felt Brookline MA 02445

617-738-4664

 

You are old when your youth has been reduced to the themes of car commercials.

[Guest guest]

Speaking of fallibility...

 

Failure is an essential part of learning, growth

and development, let alone science.

 

Normal science [i use the term in the sense that

Thomas Kuhn employed it in his Structure of Scientific

Revolutions.] is largely concerned with the documentation

of failures. That's how scientists compile the record

of experimentation that proves or disproves the theories

and principles with which they are concerned. That's

what scientific literature is: a compilation of lessons

learned from failure.

 

It seems to me that we are currently engaged in an

experiment to determine whether or not traditional

Chinese medicine can be successfully transmitted

without reference to the bulk of the literary

materials that have sustained it throughout its

past 2,000 years of growth and development.

 

At some point, we will have to take stock of how

this approach is working out. As scientists, I hope

we can demonstrate the requisite integrity to learn from

such an experience.

 

Of course the classics are fallible...and so are

we all. Santayana said that those who cannot

remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

 

Thus the choice presents itself: study the classics

or repeat the failures that they document.

 

What does this have to do with you, the herbalist

who is reading this rant?

 

Well, if you have been educated in the use of

Chinese herbal medicines without a solid foundation

in the classical literature, what exactly are you

doing?

 

 

The Orientalist

[Guest guest]

 

- Well, if you have been educated in the use ofChinese herbal medicines without a solid foundationin the classical literature, what exactly are youdoing?

>>>>>>>For the most part trying to reproduce what is currently practiced in main land China

alon

yulong

Thursday, September 21, 2000 10:54 PM

Re: Fallible classics

 

Speaking of fallibility...Failure is an essential part of learning, growthand development, let alone science.Normal science [i use the term in the sense thatThomas Kuhn employed it in his Structure of ScientificRevolutions.] is largely concerned with the documentationof failures. That's how scientists compile the recordof experimentation that proves or disproves the theoriesand principles with which they are concerned. That'swhat scientific literature is: a compilation of lessons learned from failure.It seems to me that we are currently engaged in anexperiment to determine whether or not traditional Chinese medicine can be successfully transmittedwithout reference to the bulk of the literarymaterials that have sustained it throughout itspast 2,000 years of growth and development.At some point, we will have to take stock of howthis approach is working out. As scientists, I hopewe can demonstrate the requisite integrity to learn fromsuch an experience.Of course the classics are fallible...and so arewe all. Santayana said that those who cannotremember the past are condemned to repeat it.Thus the choice presents itself: study the classicsor repeat the failures that they document.What does this have to do with you, the herbalistwho is reading this rant?Well, if you have been educated in the use ofChinese herbal medicines without a solid foundationin the classical literature, what exactly are youdoing?The OrientalistChinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education.