In the West we are taught that pursuing what we want leads to happiness. In the East, we are taught that wanting is the source of suffering.
Which do you choose to believe?
2007-09-28 11:54:17 · 8 answers · asked by guru 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Both are right. Pursuing gives you a purpose, although fleeting. Without purpose, people become depressed, because they have no reason to live. In that way, pursuing what you want can lead to happiness.
But what about once you actually get it? If you look for something else to pursue, you eventually find that pursuing something is not very worthwhile of a purpose. It lacks something. You will never really get what you want. If you stop looking for what you want, you lose your sense of purpose.
Now, I have my own opinions as to where to find purpose, but as this is not a religious forum but a philosophical one, I'll keep it to myself. ;)
2007-09-28 12:08:34 · answer #1 · answered by Angeliss 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! East meets west at 0 degrees longitude... Who is the "we" and where is this "east" you are referring to? The Far East (Korea, Japan, Hong Kong) I know does not teach wanting is the source of suffering. The east I know teaches duty and honor and what goes around comes around and suffering is just another way of living. In the west, the only place it says anything about happiness is in the Declaration of Independence where it refers to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Life is what you make of it. Neither belief is right, neither belief is wrong.
2007-09-28 12:23:19 · answer #2 · answered by rowlfe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would rather believe both sides for the pursuit to happiness is what the life should be however there is always wanting in life. Not all things may be provided to us. We have to suffer to attain the pleasures and pain in life.
East and West meets as North and South does.
Good day! Great question indeed!
2007-09-28 12:12:27 · answer #3 · answered by Third P 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wanting creates strive but to much want leads to greed. Regardless of east or west balance is something that must be maintained no matter what teachings we decide to adopt
2007-09-28 13:57:27 · answer #4 · answered by jake 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
GO WEST!! When we stop pursuing, we stop growing, when we stop growing, we stop living. I just made that up and I know it is corny but I believe it to be true, too!! Always want MORE, always strive to do more, have more, be more. It is in our nature to want to experience new things and why would we not want to? Variety is the spice of life and keeps it interesting, keep moving forward. :)
2007-09-28 15:00:01 · answer #5 · answered by lifesaclassroom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no left nor right, nor west nor east, these are all words describing what we can only see or understand for ourselves. We are given free will. What we decide to do with that free will determines whether we suffer or experience joy. Thus, in this, we find our humanity
2007-09-28 12:37:35 · answer #6 · answered by victory_36000 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Insurmountable issues. enable me used 2 sayings from each and every: interior the West "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." meaning we inspire individualism, approve of conversing up, and fee distinctive perspectives as a skill to sparkling up issues. One's roll is to discover one's place in existence and what's sweet for you. interior the Orient, "the nail that sticks up gets pounded down." Individualism is discouraged, oppresed in certainty. The view of the gang is greater considerable and one's roll is tdicatd by skill of the gang. interior the east individualism is a failure. interior the west a fulfillment.
2016-10-09 23:59:58 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both! They are both very good philosophies.
2007-09-28 16:44:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋