Why is self contradiction considered idiocy in the West, and the mark of a Zen Master in the East?

Question

lol "i loathe generalizations."
I guess there is some Zen in the West.

Seriously though. I'm not talking about Scientific method of trying to prove yourself wrong. I'm asking why East and West have such different reactions to paradox.

For example, the Zen Saying:

"If you meet on the way a man who knows,
Don't speak a work, -don't keep silent!"

Would likely annoy an Westerner.

Answer 1

whoever said that self contradiction is considered idiocracy in the west. I would say that person needs to check himself. When looking at the scientific method, questioning ones own beliefes is key to achieving and unbaised outcome.

I know this logic doesnt cove all examples, but any choice / situation has its advatages and disadvantages. It requires critical thinking to try to search for an optimal solution

Answer 2

It all has to do with the way we were brought up and the way we perceive things around us. Just look at the different thought processes.

Two people go to the doctors office. The first person has a sore throat, a bad headache, a little nausea, a high fever and the chills. The second person also a bad headache, a fever a little nausea but no chills or sore throat.

A Western doctor would run a few tests...maybe... then prescribe a medication that treats the suspected illness. Chances are, both people would end up with the same treatment.

A practitioner of traditional medicine from the Orient would ask lots of questions, including personal questions like sleeping habits, diet, location and duration of the headache, how was their family and love live doing and then would prescribe medication based on the individual symptoms, not the probable illness.

Both approaches have merit.

Look at corporations. In the West when there is a problem, the first question asked is usually, "Who made the mistake?" or something along those lines. Then the person gets reprimanded and told to fix there error.

Ion most eastern countries the first priority is correcting the error. Then figuring out why it happened and if that why is a who, how can that person be retrained to make certain it doesn't happen again. If retraining is not thought to be the answer or they feel the person is not trainable, then a position within the company is found that the person can do. Firing a person is the last resort as opposed to standard operating procedure as it is in many western businesses.

In the east, speaking in riddles is common. Buddhist and Daoist religion and philosophy is a primary influence and both of these philosophical religions are filled with the riddle like statements. It's just a part of their culture, like many of the rhetorical questions we ask in the west would leave an easterner a little confused.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

i loathe generalizations. perhaps it was said by an idiot.

how about some westerner's think they know it all, but the true zen master knows it is a journey. just as ludicrous, but you see the point.

additional comments: hee hee hee
thanks for the wonderful laugh. it i could capture it in time, it would be a senryu. the east lives in me. but the west keeps getting in its' way. i do like your koan, if that helps you know that i know what you're talking about.

ta ta for now

Answer 4

Simply because it is an idiot thing to do thus confirming the the belief of the Zen Master to be true.

Answer 5

There is a difference between contradicting yourself and questioning yourself.