What is the difference between Western philosophy and Eastern philosophy?

Answer 1

Check out this book - Eastern Thought for western mind by Anthony Strano.

Eastern thought, especially from south east asia is heavily influenced by Hinduism. Western thought is often influenced by an emphasis on individualism whereas eastern thought emphasises the interdependence of human beings and even nature. The philosophy of "karma" figures prominently in this regard.

Answer 2

Really there is no difference in the 2. Because most Western philosophy was highly influenced by Eastern philosophy and/or religion. As most languages branched from Sanskrit, so did religions . Hinduism had multiple Gods before the Greeks and Romans. But that can be argued for days and weeks. The biggest difference between the two is that Western philosophy is more based on common sense and science, and the Eastern philosophy is more of an abstract perspective based on intuition and detatchment to external conditions of the World.

Answer 3

Western philosophy and Eastern philosophies are great families of thought and very diverse, so when we talk about Eastern philosophy and Western philosophy as being different, we usually mean that there are different trends and different ways of approaching problems that usually come up. So you can't really say Western philosophy believes this, and this and that, while Eastern philosophy believes this and this and that.

With that disclaimer out of the way, we can generally say that while Western philosophy has moved in attempts to regulate and understand a kind of objective reality, Eastern philosophers are more interested in getting man to be in harmony with society and the universe around him.

The history of western philosophy can be seen as the triumph of reason and empiricism over faith. Plato reject rhetoric, Descartes established the rule of reason and Kant finally stated that all certain knowledge had to be empirical and and measurable. Works in western philosophy (especially in the Anglo-American world) then mostly focused on refining epistemology and logic.

In the East however, philosophers have been more concerned with ordaining society in an harmonious manner, finding man's proper place in society and in the Universe, and acting and thinking in a way that would promote harmony and order.

Answer 4

Western philosophy -- and science -- at least over the last 300 years are based on the belief that matter exists and anything else, including things like mind and spirit, are secondary phenomena. The existence of which, of course, Western philosophy and science can't explain.

Eastern philosophy is based on the intuitive realization that consciousness is the ground of all being in the universe and matter, the material universe of our physical senses, is secondary and derives from consciousness.

Quantum physics, already now 70 years old and still generally untaught -- or at least unrecognized for its implications -- is verifying that Eastern philosophy in fact represents reality.

Answer 5

The eastern child looks after their parents when they are old because parents usually feed and educate their children through great sacrifices.In the West children leave the home early, take out loans for education and do things all by themselves and probably meet up more than one for Thanksgiving etc.Cant blame the Western Child because their parents expect them to leave the house early-so they cannot expect them to look after them.Anyway in most western Countries there is welfare for the poor.In the East religion is very important at a very early age and this helps the social structure when there is a need.From this small example all large differences come-Manners,humility,compassion,respect for elders,hard working,gratitude etc.An Asian will not throw food at each other as a joke-Its a sin to waste it.In the West I have seen eggs tomatoes etc are thrown which is something shocking especially when there are so many hungry people in the world.But now when there is assimilation you can see the values are being lost especially of Easterners who have migrated to the West.

Answer 6

Western philosophy-keeps going Eastern philosophy-let go everything

Answer 7

Western philosophy is a search involving many questions;
Eastern philosophy is an explanation following realization.

Answer 8

Western philosophy highly believes in the world of forms, limiting their study to speculative thinking while eastern philosophy considers that philosophy is a science that has different components.

Answer 9

Taken very generally, the most important differences are found in the experiences and logic each proceed from. Eastern philodophy tends to offer a different level of internal experience (meditative, etc. ) from which todraw conclusions. This is now changing as many Eastern technologies for self development and internal experience are being propogated in the West.

The West also tends to use the three part logic of Aristotle; something is either A or B, not both. In the East the logic tends to be four fold; somothing can be A, B, neither or both.

Answer 10

Western philosophy is material, down to earth philosophy, while eastern philosophies are spiritual, mind centered...by the way...where do most of the religions come?