Exploring on the Poetic Pragmatic Structure in Chinese Classical Philosophical Texts

Abstract

In Chinese classical philosophical texts, the use of poetic explications to convey concepts is a unique and fascinating phenomenon. Unlike Western philosophy, where conceptions are often explained by definition of connotation and extension. Classical Chinese philosophy relies on direct experiential understanding through poetry and metaphorical language. This pragmatic structure in Classical Chinese allows for a deeper connection between the reader and the text, even opening up the possibility of personal interpretation. By recalling or forming certain experiences, even mystical ones, readers can gain a more profound understanding of the concepts being discussed. This article explores the ontology of the unity of heaven and man() that is preset in these texts and makes this process (what people called tiwu()) possible. Taking the Five Elements as an example, this article reveals unique concepts born on the basis of this pragmatic structure that is different from Western philosophy.