Eastern View of Life vs. Western View of the Body: Cross-Cultural Reflections on the Zang-fu Organ Translation

Abstract: The Eastern view of life, which conceives the body as a dynamic, relational functional network, and the Western view of the body, which treats it as an assembly of discrete anatomical entities, represent two contrasting ways of understanding the human body that respectively inform Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western medicine. This contrast is illustrated by the divergent meanings assigned to the term “spleen” in the two systems. In TCM, the “spleen” denotes a functional system centered on transportation, transformation, and blood regulation, rooted in the doctrines of yin-yang (阴阳) and Wu Xing (五行 five elements). In Western medicine, the “spleen” refers to a discrete anatomical organ primarily responsible for blood filtration and storage. This terminological mismatch not only contributes to misunderstandings in clinical practice and academic research but also highlight the broader challenge of translating concepts across medical traditions built upon different cognitive orientations. Taking the “spleen” as a key case, this paper examines the historical and cultural contexts of its translation and the evolution of its usage, systematically analyzing the current state and root causes of terminological misalignment in the cross-cultural representation of zang-fu (脏腑) organs. The article argues that the terminological divergence arises not merely at the linguistic level, but from the distinct historical trajectories through which the Eastern view of life and the Western view of the body crystallized into separate medical traditions. Recognizing this distinction provides a clearer foundation for dialogue and mutual learning between the two medical systems, opening new possibilities for their integration.