he answers, "The cultural orientations of a civilization determine the realm within which its people can make discoveries." The writer points out that Western culture, which is oriented toward encroachment, puts patients under before an operation, whereas Chinese culture, which is oriented toward harmony, adopts a method of anesthesia wherein the patient still maintains consciousness.
這是因為每個文明的文化指向規範了他們可能發現的領域。」作者看到表現侵略性的西方文化，救人先得使患者陷入昏迷；表現和諧性的中國文化想出了仍可以「保持清醒」的麻醉方法。