On “viewing things” and “viewing nothing”: A dialogue between Confucianism and Phenomenology

In traditional Chinese expressions, guannian 壜_? (ideas) are results of guan 壜 (viewing). However, viewing can be understood to have two different levels of meanings: one is “viewing things,” that is, viewing with something to view; another is “viewing nothing,” that is, viewing with nothing to view. What are viewed in “viewing things” are either physical beings —all existing things and phenomena —or the metaphysical being (for example, the “Dao as a thing”). In both cases, something is being viewed. What is viewed in “viewing nothing” is the being itself, or “nothing,” in which there is nothing to view. According to Confucianism, the existence of “nothing” manifests itself as life sentiments, especially the sentiment of love, which is the very root and source of benevolence; moreover “viewing nothing” is, in essence, a perception of life. Life sentiments or the perception of life is “the thing itself ” prior to any being or any thing.     

A differentiation of the meaning of “qi” on several levels

In Chinese philosophy, although the concept of “qi” has numerous meanings, it is not completely without order or chaotic. Generally speaking, “qi” has several different levels of meanings, such as in philosophy, physics, physiology, psychology, ethics, and so on. On the philosophical level, “qi” is similar to “air,” and it is essentially similar to the “matter-energy” or “field” in physics, which refers to the origin or an element of all things in the world. It is from this point that the meanings of “qi” in physiology, psychology, ethics as well as aesthetics are derived. This paper analyzes the meanings of “qi” on five levels and seeks to clarify misunderstandings about “qi,” such as its alleged pan-vitalistic, conscious and pan-ethical characters.     

The “right” side of sleeping: laterality in resting behaviour of Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea)

Animal Cognition - Although some studies investigated lateralization in reptiles, little research has been done on chelonians, focusing only on few behaviours such as righting response and escape...     

Kopfschmerz: Sprachbarrieren sind häufige Herausforderungen

psychopraxis. neuropraxis -     

Überblick über aktuelle Therapieempfehlungen bei Myasthenia gravis,Teil 1

psychopraxis. neuropraxis - Die Myasthenia gravis (MG) ist eine Autoimmunerkrankung mit Störung der postsynaptischen neuromuskulären Erregungsübertragung, die durch...