The Use of Analogy and Symbolism in Traditional Chinese Philosophy*

Journal of Chinese PhilosophyVolume 1, Issue 3-4 p. 313-338 THE USE OF ANALOGY AND SYMBOLISM IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE PHILOSOPHY* SHU-HSIEN LIU, SHU-HSIEN LIU Southern Illinois University at CarbondaleSearch for more papers by this author SHU-HSIEN LIU, SHU-HSIEN LIU Southern Illinois University at CarbondaleSearch for more papers by this author First published: June 1974 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6253.1974.tb00654.xCitations: 23 *In this article I would like to examine how the Chinese make use of analogical and symbolic expressions to characterize the Way, and I would also like to contend that as a general trend the Chinese are moving away from an analogical way of thinking toward a symbolic way of thinking. I will not, however, make any attempt to define these two terms or to pinpoint the difference between these two ways of thinking. Suffice it to say that in analogy certain literal interpretation is preserved while in symbolism all literal interpretation is excluded; otherwise the two share many common features between them, and in many cases can be used interchangeably. In the following I shall begin by introducing the Neo-Mohist doctrine of analogy which was totally ignored by traditional Chinese thinkers, as it happens that the Chinese mind was moving toward a different direction. Then I shall give a brief sketch of how the Chinese are moving away from an analogical way of thinking toward a symbolic way of thinking which characterizes the main stream of the traditional Chinese way of thinking. Against such a background, the general Chinese attitude toward logic and language is then discussed. And in the last section, some comparative notes are being offered. Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume1, Issue3-4June 1974Pages 313-338 RelatedInformation