We all know that philosophy is just philosophy. But those of you who follow the Philosophical studies know that there are two global ideologies.
Eastern Philosophy comes from China, Japan, Middle East, India, and Tibet. And includes philosophers like:
Confucius
Lao Tzu
Prince Siddhartha (i.e. Buddha)
And also Hindu scriptures
Western Philosophy comes from different European nations, Ancient Greece, and America. And includes philosophers like:
Socrates
Berkeley
Kant
Marx
Sarte
If you follow Western Philosophy you'll notice that certain ideas lean towards Scientific evidence. Why do you think that happens mostly in the West? Finally, which one captivates you the most? Eastern or Western Philosophy? Or both?
__________________
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fears path, and only I will remain."
-Paul Atreides
I'd like to say, that for the Eastern Philosophies, you named philosphers who lived hundrads and thousands of years ago, but in Western you mention Marx and Kant. (Kafka should be there too, as well as Neitchzche )
So the philosophies are already gonna vary greatly as it is.
Eastern philosophies have their strong points, but so do western - i dont think either overrules.
Eastern philosophies are far more spiritual.
__________________
Sent out of Paradise Garden for their sins
the First Couple stole fruits from every tree they passed
on their way to the gate, so as to spite their Creator.
And outside the Garden, crouched against the Wall
they gorged upon the Fruits, eating one after the other
until their bodies sickened with the excess of it,
and they puked them up
And the Seeds of Fruits were spilled in the dirt,
And from them came Monsters of the World,
Who were borin in filth,
And never knew there was such a thing as Love
Eastern, Wstern "philosophy" seems to be nothing but selfish ideas wrapped around big words. As the West is as a whole. Disrespectful, greedy, and sickening..
__________________ Smile, tommorow is going to be worse..
You've been starting good threads WindDancer....Though I just take from pieces of this and that....I haven't read much of any of these people really, but have come to my own conclusions that probably lean more to the east....in a kinda of heretic, something or other....
Why do I bother trying to answer this question....??
I personally prefer Western Pilosophy in general since it just seems mopre reason ablöe to me...I respect Eastern Philosophies and some influenced western Philosophers too (like Schopenhauer) but if at all I agree with the western Philosophies...
It doesnt make a difference as long as the man knows what hes talking about.
__________________ Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
I was talking about my preferences, or rather that I have none as long as the man makes sense whether from east or west.
__________________ Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
Bah! Nietzsche was a fool for his critique on the great Socrates!
But seriously, you've touched on something rather fascinating. When you said Eastern philosophy to be more "spiritual" you're bringing religious themes. How is it that Western philosophy broke away from Religious ideas and directed itself to a more scientific learning? While the eastern philosophies remained with those spiritiual ideas. That it is why I've always been intrigued about the differences between the two.
__________________
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fears path, and only I will remain."
-Paul Atreides
...um...1st post in the philosophy forum, so excuse me if I sound like a newb.
But good point WD (though it was also an elaboration on lb's point).
Eastern philosophy is hard to separate from religion, whereas Western scientific thought breaks from it somewhat. Hindu, Buddist, even Islamic philosophy is woven into the very culture of the people.
I am, personally, more intrigued by Eastern philosophy, but at the same time most of what I point to as "my philosophical and religious beliefs" are things that can be deduced from some sort of solid scientific evidence or at the very least rational thought processes. I suppose it's somewhat a product of my Western upbringing. Where a Buddhist/Hindu/insert philosophy school/etc. can simply understand and accept something like, say, reincarnation...I needed insanely detailed reports and heavily-researched case studies before I said "yes, that's what I believe."
OoH! I had a thought....here goes...
The Western philosophers sought the nature of things....be it the universe, the human mind, the nature of thought or reason, etc. (i.e. science) They deconstructed existence into intricate parts to get at it's meaning (maybe I'm wrong here, but this is my take on it). Now think about Confucius (or Eastern thought in general for that matter)...many of his famous phrases seem like common sense, and yet their beauty lies in their simplicity, wisdom, and compassion.
Western focused, for many centuries, on the "How?" Eastern focused on the "Why?" Both seemed to hit on many of the same underlying meanings. Much of current science lends support to the existence of some higher intelligence at work...research and case studies can find the same need for tolerance and love as any philosophy. And many fully-fleshed-out philosophies and religions teach the same values, just in different guises.
Hopefully I don't sound dumb here...after posting for a while over in the religion forum, I'm trying my hand here in the philosophy forum, and I feel a bit more lost than usual (thus the frequent references to religion, which I tried to limit).
Because the east holds more ying in their general souls where as the west holds more yang. Which was why the west were more suseptable to evil and because they had oppurtunities and no means to learn better, they DID degenerate into evil and that's why all the bullcrap throughout history happend..
Now it's even more disgusting this evil turn, an American today could in no way survive in Japan. The amount of respect, honour, tradition, rules, and regulations they have with EVERYTHING would make thier neo-liberal heads explode..
__________________ Smile, tommorow is going to be worse..
That's real good! I like it DigiMark. Maybe we do care more about the nature of things in the West and become reluctant of spirituality. And your post is no were close to dumb. Well said.
Who gets to be the master?
__________________
"I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fears path, and only I will remain."
-Paul Atreides
As lil'B pointed out, Eastern philosophy deals more with internal absolution. Eastern philosophy deals more with inner peace and how to cope with teh hardships of life, and others around you. It is a big part of their religions. Western philosophy, however, has been developed to teh point where it stands in direct opposition to our religions. Western philosophy sets us apart from the rest of the world, while most Eastern philosophies place us in the natural order.
I think both are valid, and go a long way towards making a person well rounded.
Meanwhile, in the East, nothing bad happened. The Mongols didn’t slaughter entire cities, Japanese Samurai didn’t oppress peasants (not to mention the flat out persecutions and executions of converts to Christianity) and fight pointlessly amongst one another and the Rape of Nanking was a jolly good time.
Bigotry’s fun, eh?
Ouch. It’s a tough name to spell: Poor Nietzsche.
I hope this is a joke. If not, you definitely missed some very important points about Nietzsche’s writings. To quote:
“You had not yet sought yourselves when you found me. Thus do all believers; therefore all belief is of so little account.
Now I bid you lose me and find yourselves; and only when you have denied me will I return to you.” (Nietzsche, Ecce Homo)
"Attention to health is life's greatest hindrance" Plato
"Plato was a bore" Friedrich Nietzsche
"Nietzsche was stupid and abnormal" Leo Tolstoy
"I'm not going to get into the ring with Tolstoy" Ernest Hemingway
"Hemingway was a jerk" Harold Robbins"
how much hate can Philosophers tolerate
__________________
Life is short and the art long, the occasion instant, experiment perilous, decision difficult.
KMC Community Forums
Western Philosophy or Eastern Philosophy?
Oct 18th, 2005 04:57 PM
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