RE: academic paper writing; authoritative sources

[Guest guest]

Doug,

 

No worries. I definitely think that the 2 year undergraduate pre-requisite

for entrance to Chinese medicine schools has hurt our profession. Your

story of students who don't know the protocol of academic paper writing is a

case in point. I spent the first 2 years of my undergraduate education

taking survey courses (learning how to take tests) and the last 2 years

learning how to think critically (writing papers). So, most of the new

students entering Chinese medicine have difficulties with that.

 

This could be a good elective course (critical thinking/paper writing) for

the TCM schools.

It could definitely help to change the public's perception of us as just

" technicians " .

After all, we only take (multiple choice tests) to get our licenses/

certifications.

 

Of course, one should read CAM and Giovanni all the way through; several

times in fact, to pass boards.

HB's book, in my belief, is an extremely organized " handbook " to get the

facts quickly,

as a review text, preparing for the boards and as a clinical handbook, to

find the material promptly,

when the information has already been learned, but needs to be accessed as a

reminder.

So, I agree with you that it shouldn't be cited in an academic paper;

but I think it may germane for this " phlegm vs dampness " conversation.

 

A question that is brought up in this conversation is which texts should be

considered " authoritative " ,

since the CAM itself is just a conglomeration of " facts " , compiled by one

editor and the Beijing Univ.

Some of the information in CAM is not in cohesiveness with Maciocia's books

and the Manual by Deadman et al. Some of my school's professors (Chinese

and Caucasian) said that Maciocia's book has a lot of personal experiential

info. that can't be " trusted " . The same was said of the Bensky books; the

translations were " incomplete " and sometimes " inaccurate " .

For instance, " Huai xiao mai " should be used for " Gan mai da zao tang " , not

" Fu xiao mai " .

In the 3rd edition of the Bensky MM, this has been corrected.

However, in schools in America, this is still being taught.

 

The classics seem to be " definitive " , but dharma battles have been fought

for millennia now.

Only the Neijing and Shang han lun are protected.

 

K.

 

 

 

 

On Jan 10, 2008 1:34 AM, wrote:

 

> Sorry, I just have a knee jerk reaction to this book. I wouldn't call

> it a book but an extremely large study sheet. With all due respect for

> the work that went into it, this is not the same of gleaning insights

> from other books and/or using your own experiences. I have seen

> students buying this and not buying Giovanni, CAM and the other

> required texts, because why bother when all the " facts " are compiled

> into one $80 resource. I didn't mean to lash out at you personally. I

> just cringe when I get papers " resourced " from HB and I try my best to

> discourage it being used academically.

>

> Doug

>

> --- In

<%40>,

> " "

> <johnkokko wrote:

> >

> > Douglas,

> >

> > My belief is that a firm understanding of the basics brings mastery;

> > it's the same with plumbing, cooking and zen.

> >

> > I did say " resource " and not " source " text,

> > because it is derived from the texts that are important enough to be

> > on the CA state board list.

> >

> > Actually, all of the organized material in his 3rd edition is

> " attributed "

> > to the

> > " Source " texts, which themselves are compilations of

> > " other people's work. " The material that I listed in my previous email

> > is derived from Maciocia's Foundations of Chinese medicine,

> > but organized more succinctly in HB's book.

> >

> > Respectfully,

> > K.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > On Jan 9, 2008 10:12 AM, wrote:

> >

> > > I'm sorry but HB Kim has produced a study guide that is largely

> if not

> > > wholely a copying of other people's texts. I do not allow it as a

> > > resource in papers in my classes. HB is a wonderful guy, a former

> > > student, and I have to admire his ambitions and teaching abilities.

> > > However, until his sources are fully attributed (and many are) I have

> > > my doubts.

> > > Doug

> > >

> > > --- In

> <%40>

> <%40>,

> > > " "

> > >

> >

>

>

>

 

 

 

--

aka Mu bong Lim

Father of Bhakti

 

The Four Reliances:

Do not rely upon the individual, but rely upon the teaching.

As far as teachings go, do not rely upon the words alone, but rely upon the

meaning that underlies them.

Regarding the meaning, do not rely upon the provisional meaning alone, but

rely upon the definitive meaning.

And regarding the definitive meaning, do not rely upon ordinary

consciousness, but rely upon wisdom awareness.