This article attempts to explore the possibility of an alternative research paradigm predicated on the taiji(太极) philosophy of opposites united in a continuously evolving pattern of change. Based on a critical reading of Martha P. Y. Cheung’s most recent theoretical discourse on translation history, it analyzes, interprets and reflects on the “pushing-hands” approach proposed by Cheung with reference to her epistemological understanding of the nature of humanities knowledge in general and of translation history in particular. It points out that while Cheung manages to differentiate her approach from the dominant Eurocentric or Western-centric frameworks for historical research on translation, the pushing-hands approach is, however, an unfinished narrative; its operation specifics might have to be enriched were it to be adopted by translation scholars as an alternative to the dichotomous mode of thinking prevalent in humanities research today.