When people start defending acupuncture, etc. with reference to the alternative wisdom and terminology of "non-Western" science, I am reminded of the old detergent commercial in which the Asian man running the laundry claims that he gets stains out due to an "ancient Chinese secret."
There's this strange idea among some in "Western" culture that we have become removed from the organic wisdom of the ancient world. Thus, we sublimate the scientific advances of recent centuries for the folk ideas "exotic" cultures. (or make up crap like THE SECRET). Pointing out mistaken Western medical concepts simply reinforces the idea that we continue to learn about the complex nature of human biology. Ancient Chinese secrets, on the other hand are static and adherents tend to resist any real examination of causal relationships.
To my mind, the properties of "chi" are undefinable until they can be discerned by scientific method. If chi is an energy, it can be measured. Until that time, chi is as medically relevant as the "soul." In other words, "chi" is a faith-based concept with no greater likelihood to be real than any other faith-based concept. For those of us who are atheistic or agnostic, more is required than the claim of "ancient Chinese secret."
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When people start defending acupuncture, etc. with reference to the alternative wisdom and terminology of "non-Western" science, I am reminded of the old detergent commercial in which the Asian man running the laundry claims that he gets stains out due to an "ancient Chinese secret." There's this strange idea among some in "Western" culture that we have become removed from the organic wisdom of the ancient world. Thus, we sublimate the scientific advances of recent centuries for the folk ideas "exotic" cultures. (or make up crap like THE SECRET). Pointing out mistaken Western medical concepts simply reinforces the idea that we continue to learn about the complex nature of human biology. Ancient Chinese secrets, on the other hand are static and adherents tend to resist any real examination of causal relationships. To my mind, the properties of "chi" are undefinable until they can be discerned by scientific method. If chi is an energy, it can be measured. Until that time, chi is as medically relevant as the "soul." In other words, "chi" is a faith-based concept with no greater likelihood to be real than any other faith-based concept. For those of us who are atheistic or agnostic, more is required than the claim of "ancient Chinese secret."