Examination of the Concept of Ru Yi and Its Social and Spiritual Significance
by
Abstract
Ru Yi (Confucian Doctor) is an integral part of the history of medicine in China, and although there is abundant research on it, few scholars regard Ru Yi as a concept with special significance rather than a historical figure or group. Therefore, in an attempt at conceptual history, this paper tries to explore its evolutions and historical significance. First, it examines the conceptual changes of Ru (Confucian) and Yi (Doctor) in the Pre-North Song Period, discusses the specific situation of combining the two into Ru Yi during the Northern Song Dynasty, and its transformation afterwards. Then, the paper analyses and explains the social and spiritual significance of Ru Yi from its fundamental meaning, focusing on the medical knowledge, medical practice, mentalities, and social reputation of medical practitioners.
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This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non–Commercial No Derivatives License which permits noncommercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of the Publisher must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
