Experimental Study on Multi-Infarct Dementia Treated with Principle of Yijing Tishen (益精提神法)

Objective: To explore the mechanism of multi-infarct dementia (MID) treated with the principle of Yijing Tishen (YJTS, reinforcing Kidney-essence and refreshing mental activities). Methods: MID rat models were established successfully with injecting sterile and naturally dried blood clots of the homologous rat into common carotid artery and screened by the first jumping-off latency of diving-platform reflex, based on which, the effect of YJTS in learning and memorizing, monoamine neurotransmitters content in brain tissue, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in serum and brain tissue, and brain morphosis of multi-infarct rats were observed. Results: Obvious malfunction of learning and memorizing was found in MID rat models, and there were also significant decreasing of monoamine neurotransmitters content in partial brain zones, decreasing of SOD activity in brain and increasing of MDA content in serum and brain. YJTS could obviously improve learning and memorizing, raise SOD activity and monoamine neurotransmitters content in brain tissue, lower MDA content in serum and brain of MID rat models, protect brain morphosis of multi-infarct rats. Conclusion: YJTS might treat MID by restraining lipid peroxidation, improving monoamine neurotransmitters content in partial brain zones and decreasing ischemic damage of brain tissue.

The B-Theory of Time and the Notion of Change in the Yijing

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.

Sign, Image and Language in The Book of Changes CYijing 易经）

It is challenging to estimate the degree to which the system of the Trigrams and Hexagrams in The Book of Changes （Yijing） had an impact on the whole history of Chinese thought. The universal paradigm from which it was derived formed the basis of a semiotic theory of evolution which, because of structural analogies, was applied to all fields and aspects of human life where decision making and action in correspondence with a cosmic principle was required. To achieve that goal, countless commentaries on and interpretations of the Yijing have been written. They can be divided into two schools. The first used the Yijing as a book for divination, in combination with manifestations of the universe and nature. The second interpreted it with a philosophical background, making it part of the tradition of Confucian thought. Modem scholars have also contributed some new approaches to the Yijing. My paper is based on the assumption that the Trigrams and Hexagrams of the Yijing cannot be understood in a purely representational way. They do not represent things apart from their relation to human needs or consciousness. Because of the co-determination of text and reader as a task without determinate end-points, it proves to be a unique case of effective-history. In the Yijing, there is no real line between culture and nature, sign/image/language and fact, the universe of semiosis and other universes. With its use of signs, images and language, the Yijing confirms that the universe of semiosis is the universe of heaven, earth and man. Against this background, my explanations will not only focus on the Trigrams and Hexagrams. My paper will also deal with the following topics： （1） interpenetration of linguistic meaning and objective reality and （2） the social nature of verbal or literary expression.

On the Double-Reference Character of ＂Hexagram＂ Names in the Yijing： Engaging Fregean＆Kripkean Approaches to the Issue of How Reference Is Possible

This paper aims to examine the general issue of how reference is possible in philosophy of language through a case analysis of the ＂double reference＂ semantic-syntactic structure of ideographic hexagram （guaxiang 卦象） names in the Yijing text. I regard the case of the ＂hexagram＂ names as being quite representative of the ＂double-reference＂ semantic-syntactic structure of referring names. I thus explore how the general morals drawn from this account of ＂hexagram＂ names can engage two representative approaches, the Fregean and Kripkean ones, and contribute to our understanding and treatment of the issue of reference.

The Genesis of “The Meaning of the Classics”:On the Objectives and Methods of Jingxue Hermeneutics

In terms of the construction of meaning,what jingxue(study of the classics)deals with is precisely the hermeneutics of the Confucian classics.Jingxue hermeneutics is fundamentally practical statecraft;therefore,its specific objectives do not point to an objective existence unrelated to human beings,but to yi(meaning)or yili(principles),otherwise known as jingyi(meaning of the classics)or dayi(profound significance).“The meaning of the classics”is the product of interpretation.In jingxue interpretation,this concept is a process of construction rather than one of finding or discovery;it has different connotations in different historical contexts.In terms of method,the objective of interpretation changed from weiyan dayi(profound significance conveyed through subtle words)to yijing liyi(basing one’s arguments on the Confucian classics)and thence to yanyi(deducing meaning).The method of jingxue hermeneutics also changed from quzhe chengyi(reaching meaning indirectly)to tiren(personal experience and cognition)and hanyong(deep immersion in the text).An in-depth study of the purpose,objective and methods of jingxue hermeneutics and their interrelationships can allows us to draw on them and stimulate the construction of contemporary Chinese hermeneutics.