术语“象数之学”的详细信息

英译术语:

Study of Emblems and Numbers

汉语语境:

象数之学始于汉代，盛于北宋。象数和术数是《周易》当中两个基础术语。汉代的许多哲学家试图通过对象数和术数的研究，去解释人类社会和宇宙的发展变化规律。南宋哲学家邵雍进一步发展了该学说，他认为，“太极是一，太极生阴阳就是一生二；但一能生二的作用是神，所以说“神生数”。由于一生二是对立性的双数，以此加一倍开展，二变为四，这就是“数生象”，再由这对立着的象的变化，才产生具体事务----器，这就是“象生器”。

英语语境:

Starting in the Han Dynasty, studies of emblems and numbers became flourishing in the Northern Song Dynasty. The terms "emblem” and "number” are repeatedly used in The Book of Changes. Many Han philosophers studied the emblems and numbers in the attempt to explain all sorts of phenomena in the human world and the growth and evolution of the cosmos. Shao Yong, a famous Southern Song philosopher, elaborated and developed the theory. He said the Supreme Ultimate, being one does not move. It produces a duality, and this duality is spirit. It is believed that Spirit produces numbers, the numbers produce emblems, and the emblems produce concrete things.