The Yi-Jing Cosmic Model as a Framework for Comparative Philosophy

Abstract

Based on the symbolism of the trigrams, the Yi-Jing cosmic model offers possibilities in a coordinate system with eight octants to discuss different philosophical developments in parallel. It forms a framework for further elaboration of theory and methodology of comparative philosophy. This paper is restricted to extracting, analyzing and comparing common features from the perspectives of the Yi-Jing model. Achieving harmony is the subject of a new paper under construction. The philosophical developments in the quadrants, Naturalism, Moralism, Rationalism and Humanism, are characterized by a fundamental difference between subject and object. This difference remains intact in the octants, but specified developments underline the subject and others the object. In Naturality man or woman does not consider him- or herself more valuable than other life forms, as in Daoism and ecocentrism. In Existentiality man or woman places his or her “ego” at the center and should give meaning from itself, as in existentialism. In Connectivity emphasis is on the human being, looking for liberation, as in Buddhism and parts of Hindu philosophy. In Normativity the subject focuses on the object, through norms and values, as in ancient China and Greek culture, and in modern technology assessment. In Rationality man or woman sees him or herself as more important. In Differentiality an anti-subject attitude arises, which led to phenomenology, hermeneutics, postmodernism and difference thinking. In Sociality, emphasis is on society and reality determines the idea. In Humanity emphasis is on the person, as in Confucianism, which strives for harmonious human relationships.