FENGSHUI: SCIENCE, RELIGION, SUPERSTITION, OR TRADE?

SUPERSTITION; CHINESE civilization; WESTERN civilization; RELIGIONS; POWER (Social sciences)

Fengshui (also called Chinese geomancy) is a pre‐modern tradition rooted in Chinese civilization. Chinese civilization is pre‐modern and practice‐oriented due to the domination of political power in China. In contrast, Western civilization is modernized. It witnessed the development of religion in ancient times, and the growth of science through reason (logic) and experiment in modern times. It is both rational and transcendental. It seems that Fengshui is an intermediate between science and religion. It is not science although its focus is on this world, for it does not seek knowledge and truth. It is not religion although it is mystical, for it does not seek transcendence and good. It is not only superstition (or magic), but also a mystical trade that centers on secular benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)