The Yijing as a Challenge for Western Metaphysical Reflection

Abstract

As an introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Chinese Philosophy on the Yijing and Western metaphysics, this article examines the variety of uses to which the Yijing has been put in the past and offers suggestions as to why the vast majority of Western philosophers, and even many recent Chinese philosophers, have tended to ignore it. Drawing on insights conveyed by the papers included in the special issue, as well as on various other recent research related to this topic, I argue that the Yijing has a largely untapped potential to be used by philosophers who seek to construct metaphysical arguments and systems. Everyone interested in gaining wisdom through philosophical reflection—whether their main focus is on Chinese thinkers, on Western thinkers, or on thinkers from other, more marginalized traditions—can benefit by accepting the challenge posed by this classical Chinese book of wisdom.