English words in TCM and the importance of context.

[Guest guest]

A few thoughts on the problem of assuming definition and context in a

profession...

 

Lets take an example term from computing:- RAM

 

Taking this at face value in basic everyday English it would mean a

male sheep or to hit something with force.

 

Taking this with a little more knowledge we may even get " random access

memory " .

 

However, even taking this on face value would suggest memory that is

accessed randomly with no purpose or value.

 

None of these meanings are accurate nor useful for communication in

computing circles when discussing RAM or deeper issues that involve

RAM.

 

This is what seems to be happening with some on this list in regards to

TCM terminology. Instead of learning the actual contextual definition,

they are more than happy to ascribe an irrelevant past memory of an

English word and assume that is what a certain English word means

within the context of TCM.

 

This is a huge mistake and unless corrected via learning the actual

definition and context of what may be a simple English word when used

in discussions on TCM topics; the individual in question will never

understand and will continue to argue from a point of view that is out

of context and thus irrelevant to the actual discussion taking place.

 

I personally find this irritating, but the real problem is that these

people are preventing their own growth, learning and understanding in

an area they seem to be seeking understanding in.

 

 

Best Wishes,

 

Steve

 

Dr. Steven J Slater

Practitioner and Acupuncturist

[Guest guest]

Steve,

You hit it right on the head. It is impossible to communicate

without understanding the meaning of the words we use, and even more

importantly, understanding technical terms in their proper context.

 

 

On Sep 18, 2004, at 4:28 AM, Steven Slater wrote:

 

> This is what seems to be happening with some on this list in regards to

> TCM terminology. Instead of learning the actual contextual definition,

> they are more than happy to ascribe an irrelevant past memory of an

> English word and assume that is what a certain English word means

> within the context of TCM.

>

> This is a huge mistake and unless corrected via learning the actual

> definition and context of what may be a simple English word when used

> in discussions on TCM topics; the individual in question will never

> understand and will continue to argue from a point of view that is out

> of context and thus irrelevant to the actual discussion taking place.

>

> I personally find this irritating, but the real problem is that these

> people are preventing their own growth, learning and understanding in

> an area they seem to be seeking understanding in.

[Guest guest]

I totally agree, I have telling people left right and center to read

" Unification of Western Medicine & Traditional " . It d oes

exactly what you suggested, it has reinterpreted all the westernized version of

the theory into in a way that is no longer contradicting or confusing. The other

major thing it does is spells everything out so clearly in logical terms. If you

want to learn TCM read this book before any other it is a waste of time for

western trained people to study something that contradicts their own knowledge.

It will only ever be accepted when it blends nicely with modern W.M.

 

Manu

 

<zrosenbe wrote:

Steve,

You hit it right on the head. It is impossible to communicate

without understanding the meaning of the words we use, and even more

importantly, understanding technical terms in their proper context.

 

 

On Sep 18, 2004, at 4:28 AM, Steven Slater wrote:

 

> This is what seems to be happening with some on this list in regards to

> TCM terminology. Instead of learning the actual contextual definition,

> they are more than happy to ascribe an irrelevant past memory of an

> English word and assume that is what a certain English word means

> within the context of TCM.

>

> This is a huge mistake and unless corrected via learning the actual

> definition and context of what may be a simple English word when used

> in discussions on TCM topics; the individual in question will never

> understand and will continue to argue from a point of view that is out

> of context and thus irrelevant to the actual discussion taking place.

>

> I personally find this irritating, but the real problem is that these

> people are preventing their own growth, learning and understanding in

> an area they seem to be seeking understanding in.

[Guest guest]

Manu,

 

I don't think I or Z'ev were suggesting what you propose here at all.

You have taken my comments out of context. I am NOT suggesting we need

to change TCM terminology to suit western science/medicine at all.

 

WM and TCM are so fundamentally different in basic theory and concepts

they can not be married as you or the author of the texts suggest

without changing one or both to a degree where it is no longer either.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Steve

 

 

On 20/09/2004, at 12:10 PM, manu hamlin wrote:

 

> I totally agree, I have telling people left right and center to read

> " Unification of Western Medicine & Traditional " . It d

> oes exactly what you suggested, it has reinterpreted all the

> westernized version of the theory into in a way that is no longer

> contradicting or confusing. The other major thing it does is spells

> everything out so clearly in logical terms. If you want to learn TCM

> read this book before any other it is a waste of time for western

> trained people to study something that contradicts their own

> knowledge. It will only ever be accepted when it blends nicely with

> modern W.M.

>

> Manu

>

> <zrosenbe wrote:

> Steve,

> You hit it right on the head. It is impossible to communicate

> without understanding the meaning of the words we use, and even more

> importantly, understanding technical terms in their proper context.

>

>

> On Sep 18, 2004, at 4:28 AM, Steven Slater wrote:

>

>> This is what seems to be happening with some on this list in regards

>> to

>> TCM terminology. Instead of learning the actual contextual definition,

>> they are more than happy to ascribe an irrelevant past memory of an

>> English word and assume that is what a certain English word means

>> within the context of TCM.

>>

>> This is a huge mistake and unless corrected via learning the actual

>> definition and context of what may be a simple English word when used

>> in discussions on TCM topics; the individual in question will never

>> understand and will continue to argue from a point of view that is out

>> of context and thus irrelevant to the actual discussion taking place.

>>

>> I personally find this irritating, but the real problem is that these

>> people are preventing their own growth, learning and understanding in

>> an area they seem to be seeking understanding in.