Cosmological Construction and Rational Essence of the Original Functions of the *Book of Changes* Based on Divination Tracing

Section 6.1: From "Bu" to "Guan" — A Revolution in Cognitive Methods

Synthesizing the above investigations, we can attempt to reconstruct the basic features of the original function of the Zhouyi.

The birth of the Zhouyi represents a fundamental revolution in ancient cognitive methods—a shift from "Bu" (divination) to "Guan" (observation).

The cognitive model of "Bu" is: Human → Ask → Spirit → Answer → Human Obeys. Humans are passive recipients, spirits are the sole source of knowledge, and human roles are limited to asking questions and executing answers.

The cognitive model of "Guan" is: Human → Observe → Heaven, Earth, and Myriad Things → Principles → Human Application. Humans are active cognitive subjects, Heaven, Earth, and the myriad things are the source of knowledge, and human roles are to observe, categorize, abstract, and apply.

The Xici Zhuan provides the most concise expression for this:

"Looking up, one observes the astronomical phenomena; looking down, one examines the terrestrial patterns. Thus, one understands the causes of obscurity and clarity." (仰以观于天文，俯以察于地理，是故知幽明之故。)

"Understand the causes of obscurity and clarity" (知幽明之故)—to understand the fundamental reasons for the causes and effects between the hidden and the manifest. This is cognition, not prediction; it is understanding, not prying.

"Tracing back to the origin and returning to the end, thus one understands the discourse on life and death." (原始反终，故知死生之说。)

"Tracing back to the origin and returning to the end" (原始反终)—to trace the origin of things, to investigate their end, and thus to understand the principles of life and death. This is a philosophical inquiry, not a utilitarian pursuit of advantage or avoidance of harm.

"The essential qi becomes matter; the wandering soul becomes change. Thus, one understands the forms and conditions of spirits and ghosts." (精气为物，游魂为变，是故知鬼神之情状。)

"Understand the forms and conditions of spirits and ghosts" (知鬼神之情状)—to understand the internal logic of the operation of spirits and ghosts. Note: not "seek the protection of spirits," not "ask for the will of spirits," but "know" their "forms and conditions"—to understand spirits from the perspective of a cognizer, rather than looking up to them from the posture of a petitioner.

These three phrases, "know" (知), clearly outline the scope of the original function of the Zhouyi: it is a book of "knowing" (知)—a systematic cognition concerning Heaven and Earth, life and death, and spirits and ghosts.