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[Manonfire63]

What is the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy? There may be a few different ways to address the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy, but I would suggest that one of the main differences between Eastern and Western Philosophy, since around 1900 or so, has been the influence of Nietzsche, and a rejection of God and the supernatural, and the reality of how a rejection of God plays out in society.

Short Video:

"Eastern vs Western Philosophy"

from the School of Life.

Miranda Kerr grew up in a society that celebrated Christmas and Easter. Why would she choose Eastern Philosophy over Western Philosophy? Western Philosophy has tended to reject God towards "Utopian Thinking," and said Utopian Thinking has tended to be egotistical and elitist. In rejecting God, many philosophers have tended to not talk about things that your average person may have related to. A lot of philosophy may have become abstract and obtuse, or leading into an understanding of some sort of occult Esotericism. In Eastern Philosophy, they can talk about Theological issues, and somewhere in Western Philosophy, Theology and Philosophy were separated. In the short video, Miranda Kerr seemed to have found Eastern Philosophy more useful for day to day things that mattered to her that have tended to be more in the realm of Theology and Christianity.

What do I mean by "occult?" In Ancient Egypt, given someone was part of the priesthood, they may have gone to an occult mystery school. A secret society that someone was initiated into. Wealthy "Well-to-Do" people would send their children there? In Rome and Greece there were occult mystery schools. In Babylon, occult mystery schools. In China and Japan, occult mystery schools. Snakes take and ladders give. A dragon has often been associated with a specific type of occultism. The Cult of Apollo had a serpent associated with it? In the Book of Revelations, Satan was a dragon. A dragon may have had a gold horde. Knowledge is greater than silver and gold? An occult person may have been an egotist stealing away understanding for himself, and those he wished to share it with. He had a "gold horde" of knowledge? Ladders give. A ladder may be like Jacob's Ladder. A ladder helps people up to God. Have you ever played the game Snakes and Ladders? There has been a mysticm there.

Christianity is a culture. Around 1300 AD we have Christendom. Given people are practicing Christianity most correctly, a culture may develop. People tend to think more alike. Going from Russia to German to France, there is a difference in food and language which is cultural. Given we are going across Christian Europe, and people were practicing Christianity most correctly, they tend to be of "one mind" on certain topics. Thomas Aquinas could talk about the Nature of Angels. Given "The Nature of Angels" was brought up here, there would be people whining, and going to the mods trying to abuse the rule about preaching? Why? A lot of people have tended to be taught into a Neo-Pagan Philosophy or Religion, influenced by Nietzsche and the Counter Culture of the 1960's. Given someone believed they could stand in outside of religion, or in judgement of God, that has tended to lead towards an understanding of Neo-Paganism where someone believed they were their own god more similar to Pharaoh in Egypt, or a Cult of the Roman Emperor, the Emperors of China or Japan, and so on.

This is a deep topic. I am was branching into Dr. Carl Jung and Archetypes, which may be similar but different to, an "Allegorical Spiritual Understanding." Christianity, when it is applied, is a cultural and tends towards certain philosophical tenants. We have Plato and the Soul. Given we are applying the Bible, is there a difference between Plato and the Soul, and what a Soul is in context of the Bible? This is good philosophy. Someone who has been rejecting God, getting into understanding of the Biblical concepts, may have become angry or fearful suddenly. What are your thought?

[Pattern-chaser]

What is the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy? There may be a few different ways to address the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy, but I would suggest that one of the main differences between Eastern and Western Philosophy, since around 1900 or so, has been the influence of Nietzsche, and a rejection of God and the supernatural, and the reality of how a rejection of God plays out in society.

Do you mean to address philosophy here, or religion? OK, religion is definitely a valid part of philosophy, and one that occupies philosophers muchly. But I can't quite see what you're aiming at in this topic. Eastern religion is quite different from Western religion. Western religions tend to teach truths they believe to be exclusive; i.e. they believe all other religions are wrong. Eastern religions, in comparison, are more inclusive, and more respectful of each others' teachings. Or maybe it is philosophy you wish to pursue, and not religion specifically?

I enjoy philosophical discussions concerning religion, and would like to contribute more usefully to this topic, once you have clarified your aims...?

[Count Lucanor]

What is the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy? There may be a few different ways to address the difference between Eastern and Western Philosophy, but I would suggest that one of the main differences between Eastern and Western Philosophy, since around 1900 or so, has been the influence of Nietzsche, and a rejection of God and the supernatural, and the reality of how a rejection of God plays out in society.

So called Eastern and Western Philosophy's separation started way before, a couple of centuries at least. It has been said we are the Greeks, seasoned with Eastern thought during the Middle Ages, and starting a whole new tradition during the Renaissance. With all its shortcomings, the part that really made progress within that philosophical tradition never looked back to its Eastern influences. To this day, Eastern philosophy sucks big time.

[Tegularius]

To this day, Eastern philosophy sucks big time.

Agree completely. It's long been a dead end with no moving parts. It's at least one reason why most Easterners have thrown it aside in favor of Western Capitalism accompanied by a huge influx of Western culture.

[Pattern-chaser]

To this day, Eastern philosophy sucks big time.

Agree completely. It's long been a dead end with no moving parts. It's at least one reason why most Easterners have thrown it aside in favor of Western Capitalism accompanied by a huge influx of Western culture.

It seems to me that Eastern philosophy has spread widely across the 'West', just as Western ideas have spread into the East. Eastern philosophy is more popular, and widely known, than it ever was in the past. Over the past 50 years or so, the influence of Eastern philosophy on/in the West seems to have increased markedly. So I cannot agree that Eastern philosophy does not have anything to offer, as the two of you suggest.

[Tegularius]

To this day, Eastern philosophy sucks big time.

Agree completely. It's long been a dead end with no moving parts. It's at least one reason why most Easterners have thrown it aside in favor of Western Capitalism accompanied by a huge influx of Western culture.

It seems to me that Eastern philosophy has spread widely across the 'West', just as Western ideas have spread into the East. Eastern philosophy is more popular, and widely known, than it ever was in the past. Over the past 50 years or so, the influence of Eastern philosophy on/in the West seems to have increased markedly. So I cannot agree that Eastern philosophy does not have anything to offer, as the two of you suggest.

Considering ideas as memes that can spread anywhere, not unlike pandemics, Eastern philosophy's incursion into the West has become more a matter of entertainment Hollywood style than anything of actual value.

[LuckyR]

To this day, Eastern philosophy sucks big time.

Agree completely. It's long been a dead end with no moving parts. It's at least one reason why most Easterners have thrown it aside in favor of Western Capitalism accompanied by a huge influx of Western culture.

It seems to me that Eastern philosophy has spread widely across the 'West', just as Western ideas have spread into the East. Eastern philosophy is more popular, and widely known, than it ever was in the past. Over the past 50 years or so, the influence of Eastern philosophy on/in the West seems to have increased markedly. So I cannot agree that Eastern philosophy does not have anything to offer, as the two of you suggest.

Considering ideas as memes that can spread anywhere, not unlike pandemics, Eastern philosophy's incursion into the West has become more a matter of entertainment Hollywood style than anything of actual value.

I would separate academic value from personal value.

[Pattern-chaser]

Eastern philosophy's incursion into the West has become more a matter of entertainment Hollywood style than anything of actual value.

It has? According to whom? Well, according to you, of course, as you just wrote it, but where is your justification? I personally have found considerable value in Eastern philosophy and religion. Many others have too. I won't try to say how many, because I don't know. But the popularity of some Eastern thought-systems shows that there is widespread interest, at the least.

[Pattern-chaser]

I would separate academic value from personal value.

I do see your point, but I also see that value is value, and dividing it devalues or dilutes that value, or seems to.

[Tegularius]

I personally have found considerable value in Eastern philosophy and religion. Many others have too. I won't try to say how many, because I don't know. But the popularity of some Eastern thought-systems shows that there is widespread interest, at the least.

I too for a long time found Eastern philosophy and religion of value and interest; the two are more closely allied in the East than in the West. Unfortunately most of that has faded and of no significance for me at all as if it were more of a passing cultish phase than that which actually enlightens, though I admit still being somewhat in awe of the Upanishads. What revelations have these ideas actually revealed to anyone? If they are of value to you then more power to you. For me most of it is just another human edition of hot air.

[Pattern-chaser]

I personally have found considerable value in Eastern philosophy and religion. Many others have too. I won't try to say how many, because I don't know. But the popularity of some Eastern thought-systems shows that there is widespread interest, at the least.

I too for a long time found Eastern philosophy and religion of value and interest; the two are more closely allied in the East than in the West. Unfortunately most of that has faded and of no significance for me at all as if it were more of a passing cultish phase than that which actually enlightens, though I admit still being somewhat in awe of the Upanishads. What revelations have these ideas actually revealed to anyone? If they are of value to you then more power to you. For me most of it is just another human edition of hot air.

Your words seem most applicable to religion, all religion, than to a particular subset of philosophy (i.e. Eastern, as opposed to Western).

[Terrapin Station]

An eastern/western distinction doesn't make a lot of sense, really. It makes more sense to divide philosophy into broad ways of approaching it, such as analytic, postmodern, etc. We can specify things like Hindu philosophy, Taoism, etc., but it would be misleading to characterize eastern philosophy in general as something like Hindu philosophy or Taoism, since there have long been plenty of eastern philosophers working in other traditions. And it's misleading to suggest that there's just one set of things that would characterize western philosophy as well.

[Pattern-chaser]

For me most of it is just another human edition of hot air.

Have you encountered the work of Zukav, Capra, Maturana or Varela? All are heavily influenced by Eastern philosophy, and all have (arguably) produced interesting and valuable work. I'm sure there are many other examples. In many cases, Eastern philosophy has solved problems that have been stumbling-blocks to Western philosophers for many years or centuries. In other cases, the Eastern way of looking at things means that some problems recognised by Western philosophers don't even exist. That's not to say that Eastern philosophy is somehow 'better' than Western, only that it seems to offer some valuable insights. I think it is a mistake to write it all off as "hot air".

[Tegularius]

For me most of it is just another human edition of hot air.

Have you encountered the work of Zukav, Capra, Maturana or Varela? All are heavily influenced by Eastern philosophy, and all have (arguably) produced interesting and valuable work. I'm sure there are many other examples. In many cases, Eastern philosophy has solved problems that have been stumbling-blocks to Western philosophers for many years or centuries. In other cases, the Eastern way of looking at things means that some problems recognised by Western philosophers don't even exist. That's not to say that Eastern philosophy is somehow 'better' than Western, only that it seems to offer some valuable insights. I think it is a mistake to write it all off as "hot air".

I agree that my "hot air" expression is over inflated and lacks some degree of justification. The names Zukov and Capra are familiar to me but I haven't heard of the last two.

One of my objections to Eastern philosophy is that like its civilizations it comes across as monolithic hardly ever changing or advancing. It appears to me that once their philosophers thought of something they stopped thinking. Not unlike their history - here I'm referring mostly to China - philosophy itself became an arrogant intellectual bureaucracy of means and manners frozen in time.

One can go into further detail but the upshot is in whatever ways Eastern thought influenced the West the latter is and was of far greater importance to the East than the other way around.

[Pattern-chaser]

One of my objections to Eastern philosophy is that like its civilizations it comes across as monolithic hardly ever changing or advancing.

When one of my sons introduces me to one of their fave bands, I often find all the tracks sound the same. It took me many years to work out that this is because I'm not especially fond of that particualr music, so I don't distinguish or differentiate. Do you think your attitude to Eastern philosophy might have something in common with this view?

...in whatever ways Eastern thought influenced the West, the latter is, and was, of far greater importance to the East than the other way around.

You think so? Obviously you do, 'cause you wrote it. But do you have any way to illustrate how it might be the case? The only thing I can think of that the West has sent off in an Easterly direction is American Capitalism ... and I don't see that as any kind of favour or benefit.