The Four Phases of the East and the Four Constitutions of the West: Two Perspectives on Understanding Humans

Constitutional Theory

In the East and the West, there have been various attempts to understand human characteristics and health for a long time.
The most representative of these are the Four Phases Theory (Four Constitutions) of the East and the Four Constitutions Theory of the West.
The Four Phases of the East and the Four Constitutions Theory of the West, established by the Joseon physician Ijema in the late 19th century, have different philosophical backgrounds, but share the commonality of trying to understand humans by dividing them into types.
Here, we will examine the Four Phases of the East and the Four Constitutions Theory of the West, compare their similarities and differences, and present various perspectives on understanding humans.

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1. The Four Phases of the East: Lee Je-ma’s Sasang Constitution

In Oriental medicine, constitutions are classified by comprehensively judging a person’s appearance, personality, and physiological and pathological characteristics.
Among them, Lee Je-ma’s Sasang Constitution is an independent theoretical system that divides people into four constitutions: Tae-yangin, Tae-eumin, So-yangin, and So-eumin.

• Tae-yangin: A constitution with strong lung function and weak liver function, often showing an extroverted and active disposition.
• Tae-eumin: A constitution with strong liver function and weak lung function, often showing a persistent and conservative disposition.
• So-yangin: A constitution with strong spleen function and weak kidney function, often showing an impatient and emotional disposition and being active.
• So-eumin: A constitution with strong kidney function and weak spleen function, often showing an introverted and meticulous disposition.

However, it is very difficult to accurately judge a person’s constitution based on their appearance alone, and there are various discussions about this within the Oriental medicine community.

Even experienced doctors in the past have mentioned that it is only possible to determine constitution after acquiring numerous clinical experiences.
In addition, diagnostic methods such as the O-ring test and meridian still require further scientific verification.
Since Professor Lee Je-ma also estimated the proportion of Taeyangin to be very low, at around 1% of the total population, it suggests that it is difficult to determine constitution based on appearance alone.

2. Western Four Constitution Theory: Human Type Classification Originating in Ancient Greece

In the West, around the 6th century BC, philosophers such as Thales, Anaximenes, and Heraclitus made various claims about the origin of all things.
Afterwards, the Sicilian physician Empedocles established the theory of the four elements of water, fire, air, and earth, which was supported by Plato and Aristotle and formed the basis of Western science for about 2,000 years.
This theory that the four elements react with each other to form all things in the universe is considered the beginning of the modern theory of elements.

At that time, the medical community also studied the constitution of the human body in connection with the theory of the four elements.
The theory of the four natures, which states that the constitution changes depending on the imbalance of a person’s body fluids, was widely accepted in combination with astrology.
It is classified into the following four body fluids and their corresponding temperamental characteristics.

• Sanguine: A constitution in which blood is dominant, showing a lively, sociable, and cheerful disposition. (Animal: Rabbit, Personality: Active, Planet: Jupiter, Element: Air, Situation: Warm and humid, Season: Spring, Direction: West)
• Choleric: A constitution in which yellow bile is dominant, showing a hasty, passionate, and leadership disposition. (Animal: Cat, Personality: Impatient, Planet: Mars, Element: Fire, Situation: Moderate, Season: Summer, Direction: South)
• Melancholic: A constitution in which black bile is dominant, showing an introverted, cautious, and contemplative disposition. (Animal: Deer, Personality: Introverted, Planet: Saturn, Element: Earth, Situation: Cold and Dry, Season: Autumn, Direction: East)
• Phlegmatic: Phlegmatic constitution, which is predominantly composed of phlegm, is characterized by a calm, easygoing, and patient disposition. (Animal: Ox, Personality: Perseverance, Planet: Mercury, Element: Water, Situation: Cold and Damp, Season: Winter, Direction: North)

3. Link between Eastern and Western constitutional theories: Multifaceted approaches to understanding humans

Although the Eastern four-phase theory and the Western four-phase theory developed from different cultural and philosophical backgrounds, they share a commonality in that they both sought to understand various human characteristics by categorizing them.
In particular, they share a similar perspective in that each constitution is linked to a specific temperament and physiological tendency.

Although it is difficult to find a direct connection, the presented table provides a glimpse into some aspects of Eastern thought and Western four-phase nature. For example, the active sanguine type can be linked to the extroverted soyangin, and the persistent phlegmatic type can be linked to the cautious taeeumin.

In this way, the Eastern and Western constitutional theories show an effort to view and understand humans from various angles. In modern medicine, rather than blindly believing in this traditional constitutional theory, it is used as reference material, and it is developing in the direction of diagnosing and managing the health of individuals by considering various aspects such as genetic factors, lifestyle habits, and environmental factors.

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In conclusion, the Eastern four-phase theory and the Western four-constitution theory are the products of wisdom that have sought to understand humans throughout history.
Although each theory has its own limitations and points of controversy, it has great implications for modern society in that it recognizes human diversity and emphasizes the importance of a personalized approach.
In the future, we should pursue a deeper understanding of humans through the fusion of Eastern and Western wisdom and scientific research.

Constitutional theory #Oriental medicine #Western medicine #Four constitutional theory #Ijema #Empedocles #Understanding humans #Health management #Well-being

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• External links: What is the relationship between the constitution and the five elements?

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