tidbit

[ironymaiden]

"The Chinese concept of qi presents a problem in English because it is neither matter nor energy but rather both. Several distinctions that are rooted in Western philosophy and Western languages, such as the distinction between matter and energy or between body and mind, are far less concrete in traditional Chinese thought and language. In a sense it is the same problem that faces modern scientists who must describe light as both particles and waves."

- Brian Kennedy, from Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals A Historical Survey

Comments

[mimerki.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I like the idea of empiricism being labeled as mere philosophy.

Which is pretty much the division Kennedy is talking about. From a classical Chinese perspective, the two ideas are so deeply linked that to suggest one is not a subset of the other and vise-verse (pretty much ad infinitum) is nearly incomprehensible: Facts are understood through philosophy; philosophy is understood through facts.