Chinese Medical Thought

Unlike the Kuhnian scenario for the development of ideas, Chinese concept development is more pleuralistic. According to Kuhn's hypotheses, new ideas overcome prevailing concepts to create subsequent "eras of 'normal science.'" In contrast, with Chinese medicine, the emergence of new and antagonistic concepts rarely results in conflict resolution (57). Rather, the Chinese "history of ideas" more often involves finding ways to reconcile opposing views. By building bridges between the different concepts, they are both preserved and available. This gives the Chinese a greater diversity of ideas to work with (58).

The "social harmony theory" was first expounded by Confucius (61). He believed that social unrest resulted from discrepancy between the "expectations associated with social roles and the actual conduct of members of society." Accordingly, social standing was not determined automatically by birth, but rather by the acquisition of certain qualities. He believed that virtue should be based on conduct; and that people should "follow the mean." Hence, individual excesses which might disrupt social harmony were to be avoided.

In concordance with the Chinese pattern o

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ance with the socialharmony doctrine, many aspects of the Sung medical tradition were carried on into the Ming and Ch'ing eras. For example, Ming and Ch'ing practitioners likewise did not incorporate medicinal drugs into their systemic correspondence theories (197). Moreover, there was also an emergence of reductionistic etiologies, and attempts to expand the Chinese theoretical system. 5. Unschuld presented Sung medical development as a model for understanding "the nature of cognitive progress." Examine this thesis. From the Han to the Sung, the medical practices of systemic correspondence generally involved limited application of the theories of the Huangti neiching and Nanching. With the Sung period, however, a new intellectual climate emerged. In addition to the reemergence of Taoism and Buddhism, NeoConfucianism also became prevalent. Under the Sung, the history of medicine underwent two major changes. For one, the spread of reductionism caused an emergence of specialized fields. These often had their own ideas as to the cause, nature, and treatment of illness. In addition, the Sung also attempted to incorporate drug therapy into the theories of systemic correspondence (168). These medical practiti
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Approximate Word count = 1209
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)

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