英文摘要
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Yan Si-Sheng is a mid-Qing scholar of the "Classic of Changes" who emphasizes that the "Classic of Changes" is a book of fortune-telling with which sages explain moralities. Yan advocates that one should explain the reasons behind phenomena with the "Classic of Changes", and that the simplified thought of yin and yang is the core principle of the "Classic of Changes". Yan distinguishes the principles of forming hexagrams from the principles after forming hexagrams. His principles of forming hexagram affirm the Xicizhuan's formulation of double trigrams and oppose the Zaguashuo's hexagram alternation. He thinks that one can observe the hexagram after forming one. Later scholars criticize Yan's principles for the following three reasons: 1. Yan draws a whole hexagram before every line-explanation of the sixtyfour hexagrams, and inserts a variable yao in it at his will. 2. Yan takes sections of the "Commentary of the Classic of Changes" out of its context to fit in the "Classic of Changes". 3. Yan rearranges the order of the Ten Wings, the purpose of which is not understandable. These are in fact because Yan regards the "Classic of Changes" as a fortune-telling book and intends to support the ideas of the "Classic of Changes" and its "Commentary". Yan believes that one should not explain phenomena against the meaning of the hexagram because of the "Commentary" or take the hexagram-line explanations as a whole to explain phenomena. He thinks the "Classic of Changes" should be interpreted by realizing the principles of yin-yang. Thus he integrates the concepts of yin-yang, qian-yuan, simplicity, time, and timing according to the "Commentary" and constructs his unique philosophy of simplicity that displays the importance of timing changes in the "Classic of Changes". Yan's doctrine of the Classic can be compared to Cheng Ting-Zuo's for their similarities and dissimilarities.
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