A Discussion on the"Checking Doubts"in Hong Fan——The Status of Divination in Decision Making
"Checking Doubts"or"Ji Yi"is the seventh section in the Hong Fan of the Book of Documents,which is very likely a true summary of the major decision-making mechanism in the later period of the Shang Dynas-ty.It reflects the important experience of ancient Chinese dynasties in governing the country and is a manifestation of ancient political civilization.This article provides a brief analysis of the decision-making methodology in"Chec-king Doubts"guided by historical materialism.The decision-making mechanism and procedure implied by"Checking Doubts"have a certain degree of democracy,openness,and conciliation,which would certainly enhance the scientif-ic nature of specific decisions.In the process of"Checking Doubts",divination institutions that could understand"divine intentions"play an extremely important role in decision-making of the central government.This fully reveals that the methodology of decision making disclosed by"Checking Doubts"is one in an era of slavery.
Hong FanDoubt Checkingdivinationmethodology of decision making
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