Qi, often translated as ‘‘vital energy," is a central concept in tai chi and qigong that has puzzled physicians, scientists, and people in the West. To date, qi is not falsifiable by the scientific method and t...Qi, often translated as ‘‘vital energy," is a central concept in tai chi and qigong that has puzzled physicians, scientists, and people in the West. To date, qi is not falsifiable by the scientific method and thus cannot be subject to scientific inquiry, leading many to criticize it as ‘‘pseudoscientific." Even as medical research reveals the health benefits of tai chi and qigong, many wonder how to treat this seemingly outdated concept when promoting these meditative practices. While some tai chi and qigong practitioners insist on the existence of qi, more skeptical thinkers suggest that a scientific understanding should replace this ‘‘superstitious" idea. Integrative health professionals must be equipped to discuss this concept intelligently by considering a couple of subtle, clarifying points often missing from the discussion.First, science's inability to verify qi's existence does not affirm its nonexistence. In fact, under the philosophical system of idealism, qi might not be said to be less real than things that are verifiable by science.Similarly, under the instrumental and pragmatic view of science, health professionals should be cautious not to declare what is metaphysically real or unreal but instead what is useful and not useful. Second,even though qi may be pseudoscientific, it remains useful and indispensable to the correct practice of tai chi and qigong. Tai chi and qigong practitioners routinely visualize and perceive the flow of qi to guide their movements, breathing, and mental activity. As such, qi and related metaphysical concepts serve as a useful mental model during practice, and belief in them may be viewed as an ‘‘expedient means" to achieve one's health goals.展开更多
The scientificity of the research should be evaluated according to the methodology used in the study.However,these are usually the research areas or the institutions that are classified as scientific or non-scientific...The scientificity of the research should be evaluated according to the methodology used in the study.However,these are usually the research areas or the institutions that are classified as scientific or non-scientific.Because of various reasons,it may turn out that the scientific institutions are not producing science,while the“non-scientists”are doing real science.In the extreme case,the official science system is entirely corrupt,consisting of fraudsters,while the real scientists have been expelled from academic institutions.Since 2016-2017,there has been much talk about the“post-truth era”and the politicians who are“denying science”.However,simultaneously,many complaints about the corruption of science appeared.The outsider cannot tell who is telling the truth as it may be the case that the science fraudsters are defending themselves and these politicians are aware of the corruption.It is also untrue that the censoring or suppression of science started from 2016-2017.Suppression of science because of political and ideological reasons was present already long ago,and during the last few years,it has been increasing.The picture is highly complicated as there are many pretenders,false accusations,etc.For example,because of political reasons,someone may be set up as a pseudoscientist,the real scientist may be expelled using political accusations,justified criticism may be labelled as political pressure,etc.There is something like an inner information war ongoing in and around science.The classical philosophy of science seems unable to handle it because every formal rule can be misapplied.Science,as a whole,may be unable to persist.展开更多
基金financially supported by Weill Cornell Medicine。
文摘Qi, often translated as ‘‘vital energy," is a central concept in tai chi and qigong that has puzzled physicians, scientists, and people in the West. To date, qi is not falsifiable by the scientific method and thus cannot be subject to scientific inquiry, leading many to criticize it as ‘‘pseudoscientific." Even as medical research reveals the health benefits of tai chi and qigong, many wonder how to treat this seemingly outdated concept when promoting these meditative practices. While some tai chi and qigong practitioners insist on the existence of qi, more skeptical thinkers suggest that a scientific understanding should replace this ‘‘superstitious" idea. Integrative health professionals must be equipped to discuss this concept intelligently by considering a couple of subtle, clarifying points often missing from the discussion.First, science's inability to verify qi's existence does not affirm its nonexistence. In fact, under the philosophical system of idealism, qi might not be said to be less real than things that are verifiable by science.Similarly, under the instrumental and pragmatic view of science, health professionals should be cautious not to declare what is metaphysically real or unreal but instead what is useful and not useful. Second,even though qi may be pseudoscientific, it remains useful and indispensable to the correct practice of tai chi and qigong. Tai chi and qigong practitioners routinely visualize and perceive the flow of qi to guide their movements, breathing, and mental activity. As such, qi and related metaphysical concepts serve as a useful mental model during practice, and belief in them may be viewed as an ‘‘expedient means" to achieve one's health goals.
文摘The scientificity of the research should be evaluated according to the methodology used in the study.However,these are usually the research areas or the institutions that are classified as scientific or non-scientific.Because of various reasons,it may turn out that the scientific institutions are not producing science,while the“non-scientists”are doing real science.In the extreme case,the official science system is entirely corrupt,consisting of fraudsters,while the real scientists have been expelled from academic institutions.Since 2016-2017,there has been much talk about the“post-truth era”and the politicians who are“denying science”.However,simultaneously,many complaints about the corruption of science appeared.The outsider cannot tell who is telling the truth as it may be the case that the science fraudsters are defending themselves and these politicians are aware of the corruption.It is also untrue that the censoring or suppression of science started from 2016-2017.Suppression of science because of political and ideological reasons was present already long ago,and during the last few years,it has been increasing.The picture is highly complicated as there are many pretenders,false accusations,etc.For example,because of political reasons,someone may be set up as a pseudoscientist,the real scientist may be expelled using political accusations,justified criticism may be labelled as political pressure,etc.There is something like an inner information war ongoing in and around science.The classical philosophy of science seems unable to handle it because every formal rule can be misapplied.Science,as a whole,may be unable to persist.
