摘要
This paper engages in a comparative analytic study of the notions of time and change in the Yo＇ing. It analyzes the Yijing＇s philosophy of time as a version of the B-theory of time, which regards time as having multiple timelines, without any ＂privileged present.＂ In the Yijing＇s hexagrams, events and situations are characterized by earlier than, simultaneous with, and later than relationships. Time in the Yo＇ing does not have a unique ＂present＂; rather, time is marked by relationships among events and situations. Furthermore, in the Yo＇ing＇s philosophy of time, change is essential to the existence of time; change is what makes time possible.
This paper engages in a comparative analytic study of the notions of time and change in the Yo＇ing. It analyzes the Yijing＇s philosophy of time as a version of the B-theory of time, which regards time as having multiple timelines, without any ＂privileged present.＂ In the Yijing＇s hexagrams, events and situations are characterized by earlier than, simultaneous with, and later than relationships. Time in the Yo＇ing does not have a unique ＂present＂; rather, time is marked by relationships among events and situations. Furthermore, in the Yo＇ing＇s philosophy of time, change is essential to the existence of time; change is what makes time possible.
