Traditional Medicine vs. the Chinese Government

Abstract

This presentation investigates China’s policy towards traditional Chinese healing practices. The Chinese government’s policies are highly influenced by “Western” philosophy and ideals that are not always compatible with older aspects of Chinese culture, such as healing practices. (The term “Western” is put in quotations because while it refers to a euro‐centric culture, the idea of“west” varies depending upon one’s position on the globe.) China’s attitude towards traditional healing is indicative of a greater problem faced by most of today’s nations: in a world dominated by “Western”language and philosophy, holistic principles and practices tend to not only be misunderstood but completely shunted aside. By examining modern Chinese attitudes toward non‐scientific healing, this project intends to expose the flaws in the underlying logic of modern biomedicine—flaws common to both China and the West. The research is divided into five main categories: the origin and nature of traditional healing and healing cults; traditional healing as a religion; traditional healing as a science; “Western” influence on Chinese government; and, government definition and designation of superstition and cults. These five topics combined create a comprehensive understanding of traditional healing practices as well an understanding of their current political state. Within these categories, problems surrounding freedom of belief will naturally arise. Accompanying these problems will be the issues concerning legitimacy of traditional healing, and how “legitimacy” itself is defined—and who defines it.