Perspective

[Guest guest]

Marjorie,

 

, " Marjorie Davidson " <mdavid@u...>

wrote:

 

> All of my teachers were Chinese and because most of them didn't

have much

> command of English, it was impossible for them to convey indepth

> explanations. I value every perspective I get now.

 

I think you've touched on an important point

here. I think that the transfer of information

and knowledge about Chinese medicine has been

affected by a number of factors that may or

may not be obvious, apparent, clear, or even

observable to everyone involved.

 

We've talked on this list in the past about

" making stuff up " and it has been stated that

it's all basically made up stuff anyway so

why shouldn't we make stuff up?

 

But there is a big difference between having

to make up one's own understanding of what

the lecturer means because you can't

quite make out what he or she is saying

and making up conjectures, theories, formulas

etc. to match up with a certain circumstance

or condition.

 

In the former instance, one is lost and having

to invent ideas in order to avoid becoming

completely overwhelmed. In the latter, one

is operating according to accepted principles

and methodologies. One's work is held up to

scrutiny and if found lacking labeled as

such.

 

Of course this leads to arguments and assertions

of cross purposes and so on. But the process

is essential if we are to grow and devleop

our grasp of the subject.

 

Not only do we have to learn to communicate

with the vast body of knowledge that exists

in Chinese, but we have to learn to communicate

with each other in our own languages and in

ways that facilitate the exchange of perspectives,

as you have suggested.

 

In my own experience, it is this sharing of

perspectives that helps develop understanding.

That's why I always hope to hear from more

members of this list. People have accused me,

if you can imagine it, of talking because

I like to hear myself speak. But in truth

I only say what I find is necessary in order

to stimulate others to offer up their thoughts.

 

The old Chinese saying goes: yin3 yu4 zhi1 zhuan1.

It means bricks dropped to attract jade.

 

Ken

 

Ken