Lik Kuen Tong, a scholar of Chinese philosophy, creatively applied Alfred North Whitehead’s process philosophy in comparative studies with Chinese thought, particularly through the lens of the I Ching (Book of Changes). Tong examined how Whitehead’s ideas, especially his concepts of time, creativity, and process, resonate with Chinese metaphysical frameworks.
Tong highlighted similarities between Whitehead’s view of reality as a process of becoming and the dynamic, relational worldview of the I Ching. He suggested that both systems regard reality as inherently active and interconnected, rather than static or merely mechanistic. This comparison helped Tong develop what he termed a “philosophy of field-being,” integrating Whitehead’s processual perspective with the Chinese emphasis on harmonizing polarities, such as yin and yang, to describe the fluid, interdependent nature of existence .
Moreover, Tong explored Whitehead’s concept of time, aligning it with the cyclical and situational understanding of time in the I Ching. By doing so, he argued that both traditions offer a richer, less linear approach to temporality that emphasizes the evolving and interconnected qualities of all entities. Through these comparisons, Tong contributed to intercultural philosophy, showing how Whitehead’s ideas could bridge Western and Eastern metaphysical systems and deepen cross-cultural philosophical understanding
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