The meaning of Yin and Yang

The philosophical meaning of Yin and Yang: Yin and Yang are the basic categories of ancient Chinese philosophy. Qi is one thing and two entities, divided into yin and yang. Yin and Yang are the attributes of the unity of opposites possessed by Qi itself, and contain the meaning of the unity of opposites. The so-called "Yin and Yang can be divided into two" ("Lei Jing·Yin and Yang Lei"). There is a dialectical relationship between yin and yang that is both antagonistic and unified. The unity of opposites of yin and yang is the general law of the universe: yin and yang not only run through ancient Chinese philosophy, but are also integrated with specific disciplines such as astronomy, calendar, medicine\agriculture, etc., and become the theoretical basis of each specific discipline, promoting the specific disciplines of each discipline. Development of the subject. The opposition, mutual root, growth, decline and transformation of yin and yang constitute the contradictory movement of yin and yang and become the basic content of yin and yang theory.

The difference between Yin and Yang and contradiction: Although Yin and Yang means the unity of opposites, it is fundamentally different from the contradiction category of materialist dialectics. This difference is manifested as:

(1) The limitations of the yin and yang category: Materialist dialectics believes that the opposition contained within all things is contradiction. The category of contradiction does not impose any other limitations on the nature of each opposite except pointing out the unity of opposites. The unity of opposites is the most common phenomenon in the universe. Therefore, the category of contradiction is applicable to all fields and is the most abstract and general summary of things and phenomena. The category of yin and yang not only has the attribute of unity of opposites, but also has some other special regulations, which belongs to a specific type of contradiction. Yin and Yang are relational categories that mark certain trends and characteristics of things. Therefore, although yin and yang are all-encompassing and universal, in the infinite universe, yin and yang are after all a limited and specific form of contradiction. Its connotation and extension are much smaller than the scope of contradiction, and its scope of application is; within certain limits, it can only It can explain and summarize things and phenomena in the universe to a certain extent, let alone explain social phenomena. In addition, for materialist dialectics, if there is a master and a slave between the two sides of a specific contradiction, which one is the master and which one is the slave depends on the specific situation. However, the theory of yin and yang holds that in the interdependent contradiction of yin and yang, yang is generally dominant and yin is subordinate, that is, yang dominates and yin follows. Among the yin and yang inside the human body, it is emphasized that yang is the basis. Since yang energy is solid, yin must follow it. "The key to yin and yang is that if the yang is dense, the yang will be dense... If the yang is strong and cannot be dense, the yin will be extinguished." "Yang qi is like the sky and the sun. If it loses its place, life will be shortened and the sun will not shine. Therefore, the destiny should be bright with the sun." ("Suwen · Qi Tongtian Lun"). Yang Qi is the dominant force in life. If it is abnormal and unstable, people will die prematurely. Therefore, when treating diseases, it is advocated that "both blood and qi are needed, and replenishing qi comes first before replenishing blood; yin and yang are both needed, and nourishing yang is based on nourishing yin and yin deficiency" ("Music Readings for Medical Practitioners: Treatise on Water, Fire, Yin and Yang"). In short, the theory of yin and yang specifically limits the nature of both contradictory parties. One party belongs to yin and the other party belongs to yang. Yang is the dominant one and yin is the subordinate one. Generally speaking, this master-slave relationship is fixed, which also shows the particularity and limitations of the Yin-Yang theory.

(2) The intuitive nature of the yin and yang category: The contradiction category of materialist dialectics is based on a high degree of scientific abstraction and is the fundamental law of the universe. As for the yin and yang category, due to the limitations of the level of scientific development at that time, it was impossible for the yin and yang category to go beyond the breadth and depth of intuitive observation, and it was impossible to have a strictly scientific form of expression, and it often contained a certain element of speculation.