...Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison Paper Gillian DiCara PHI/105 Friday, 2 October 2010 Phil McGowan Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison I chose to compare Kant and Buddha, with a leaning more to the Indian Buddha, rather than the Chinese form of Buddha. The comparison of these two philosophers may seem a little strange but I found that they share a similarity of thought. Kant’s moral law, which can be simplified to (Palomo-Lamarca, Palmquist 2001), “The moral law is a law I make for myself and apply to myself”. Strangely enough this is also the first step in Buddha’s teaching of morality; “The first being I hurt with my unhealthy behavior is not the other(s) to whom my action is directed, but my own self.” (Palomo-Lamarca, Palmquist 2001). I think it was this particular comparison that led me to choosing Kant and Buddha as comparison philosophers. Kant and Buddha have similar thoughts, one in particular is “Ding an sich”, the thing itself. Kant tells us that form is created by our body (mind), as did Buddha. When we see a form we see areas of black separated from white. Buddha tells us that they are one and the same, connected and that the form is created by us. Buddha tells us that our bodies may die, but the actions we committed whilst inhabiting those bodies continue on after the death. If freewill was a more tangible element, then the cause of the action could be stopped by the freedom of our will, curiously though Buddha also said that...
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...Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison Aurelia Williams University of Phoenix Axia College 03/12/2011 Eastern and Western philosophical views are greatly different. The philosophy of eastern philosophers tends to deal more with religion whereas western philosophy does not. I will compare the views of western philosopher John Dewey and eastern philosopher Siddhartha Gautama. Born in 1859, John Dewey observed many trials such as World War I and World War II, emancipation, slavery, the Civil War, and women fight for the right to vote. His words were an integral part of the history of the United States (Moore & Bruder, 2008 p. 223). Dewey was an instrumentalism pragmatist because he believed that the actions and thoughts of humans were instruments used in problem solving. He has the thought that nature is experience and that everyone experiences things differently. Dewey believed that each person could take the exact same object and perceive its use as something completely different. For example, one person may see a banana as just a piece of fruit but another person may see it as a weapon. It can be a source of lively hood and to another it can be a burden. Dewey was no idealist; he believed that the perception of any object differed from person to person however these perceptions did not define the object. His argument of usage and importance of items...
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...Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison PHI/105 Eastern philosophies and Western philosophies both make quite a few compelling cases when it comes to their ideas. The particular Eastern philosophy that I find to be most fascinating is that of Buddhism. The Western philosophies of Immanuel Kant were also influential and fascinating to contemplate, though differed with reasoning for their development. These two philosophies have some undeniable similarities and differences. Buddhism is an Eastern philosophy that came to life in India by a prince named Siddhartha Gautama, also known as Buddha after he felt that he found enlightenment. In the beginning, Buddhism was the philosophical response to the problem of suffering. This made it easier to understand that there is more to suffering than one believes. Suffering does not only occur when one goes through physical pain and misery, it is also there and occurs when we go through things like disappointment, frustration, discontent and sorrow. I am almost certain that Buddha’s teachings stem from his own personal experience and the experiences of others that were around him. He was able to learn from the examples of others and himself. I feel this philosophy is very logical. When it comes to Western Philosophy, Immanuel Kant was a German Philosopher who contributed to the philosophical views of religion. He is known for inventing the most famous moral arguments on the existence of God. His criticism towards the...
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...Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison PHI/105 May 1, 2011 Andrea Miles There are many great philosophers. Some of them had very compelling ideas especially for their time while others ideas may have sounded compelling but the concepts just did not work. Some philosophers has similar ideas and others ideas were different. Eastern and Western philosophy is one of the ways the ideas differed. Western philosophy is generally based on logic and reasoning while Eastern philosophy is more closely related to religion and personal growth and choices. Socrates was a great western philosopher who mastered humility and understood the importance of knowledge. Confucius was an Eastern philosopher who as well understood the importance of knowledge as well as humanity. Socrates was a Western philosopher. His method to philosophy was known as the Socratic Method. Socrates examined moral concepts such as goodness, justice, and courage. Socrates is known for saying “I only know that I know nothing” and was quite aware of his own ignorance. He believed that the only things he had knowledge of were the art of love and the love of wisdom and philosophy (Moore-Bruder, 2008). His way of thinking helps a person recognize their own ignorance and see the flaws or errors in their way of thinking and what they know. Socrates was concerned with the meaning of words that signify ethical behavior. He held that any person who possessed knowledge of virtue could not fail to behave...
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...Eastern and Western Philosophers PHI/105 7-18-10 James Boen Philosophy is normal in two categories Eastern and Western Philosophy. There is a difference between them Eastern Philosophy is mostly Asian philosophies like Buddhism and Hinduism of Indian Philosophies. Eastern Philosophy is the study of a journey in distance. Eastern philosophy travels back to a period in time that leaves a message for today (Moore & Bruder, 2008, pg 525) Western Philosophy is different from Eastern Philosophy it is more thinking and studying of guidance of a full and contented life. (Moore & Bruder, 2008, pg 525) I think an Eastern Philosopher who had very good ideas or theories was Siddhartha Gautama who was later known as Buddha. Buddha is a well known philosopher about suffering. I also think everyone in the world can relate to Buddha theory on suffering, we all go through it at times in life some more than others. Siddhartha did leave a good life behind to understand why suffering may exist and what the cure for suffering maybe out there. It took some time for Siddhartha to figure out why suffering exists in the world. He came up with an answer to suffering in the” Four Noble Truths: (1) There is suffering; (2) suffering has specific and Identifiable causes; (3) suffering can be ended; (4) the way to end suffering is Through enlightened living as expressed in the Eightfold Path.” (Moore & Bruder, 2008, pg 530) Buddha found suffering to be a reality for humankind and...
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...|Eastern philosophy | |Vs | |Western Philosophy | |Compare eastern and western philosophy | | | |Kimberly Lynn Stachowski | | | |PHI-105 Introduction to Philosophy | | | |September 11,2011 | | ...
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...Eastern Matrix nene monroe PHL/215 February 26, 2014 Field | Definition | Historical Developments | Schools Of Thought | Key Contributors | Principal Issues | Eastern | Eastern philosophy includes the various philosophies of ancient China and India, but can also include Islamic, Jewish, and Persian philosophies | Frederick Streng: ways of defining religion.Mary Daly: religion reflects patriarchy | The problem of evilArguments of godFaith and resounding | Saint AnselmGauniloSt. Thomas Aquinas | What is religion?Is there true evidence of a god?Is there a heaven and hell? | | | | | | | Eastern and Western philosophy are similar but different in many ways. Eastern philosophy includes the various philosophies of ancient China and India, but can also include Islamic, Jewish, and Persian philosophies. Western philosophy refers to the philosophies developed by the ancient Greeks and Indians. There are many differences between Eastern and Western philosophy. One is the east uses concepts by intuition while the west uses concepts by postulations. Another is the west wants logical concrete proof while according to the east reality is known by intuition. The eastern philosophers are primarily practical while the western philosophers are primarily theoretical. The west is concerned basically with the modern world while the east is concerned with the ancient and past world. Lastly eastern philosophy relationship with religion is integration while western philosophy relationship...
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...Buddha and St. Thomas Aquinas Western philosophy and Eastern philosophy differ in many different ways. Western philosophy was mostly based on logic whereas Eastern philosophy was more spiritual and often focused on achieving serenity within one’s self. Though they had very different foundations, there are some similarities that occur within individual philosophers. Buddha is one of the most famous philosophers of all time and greatly influenced all of Eastern philosophy. Saint Thomas Aquinas was one of few philosophers that believed in God and the more logical aspects of Western philosophies. Those these two philosophers seem very different upon initial inspection, similarities arise when you delve further into their beliefs. Buddha and Aquinas had some similar beliefs on actions. Thomas Aquinas believed that the intention behind a person’s action determines whether or not that action is morally good or bad. Buddha believed the same that the intention of an action determines whether or not that action is good or bad. Buddha’s belief is backed up by his eightfold path under the “Right Action” rule. Also, though they both held widely different beliefs on the afterlife and what happened once one died, they did seem to have similar thoughts on how people should behave in order to achieve the best possible afterlife possibility. Saint Thomas Aquinas believed that there was a natural law that guides us to our natural goal-happiness on earth. He thought that human law-laws created...
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...EASTERN AND WESTERN PHILOSOPHY The subject of philosophy has always been divided along two lines of thinking – the eastern and the western. Though each line is concerned with finding the right path to follow, the methodology and teachings of the philosophers from either line of thinking has been distinct and different. This paper aims to examine the ideas of one eastern and one western philosopher – Confucius and Socrates respectively and compare the two for similarities and differences. One of the greatest philosophers from the eastern school of philosophy, Confucius was a just and righteous man, who adhered to ancient Chinese customs, ideals and conformed to the principles pre-laid by ancient sages. Because of his fame as a man of ideals, his counsel was often sought upon by kings. In his advice to emperors, Confucius stressed on the importance of examples. He believed if the emperor lead his subjects by leading an exemplary life, his subjects would follow and the state would be harmonious and prosper. His virtue of ethics was based on a simple rule – do not what you do not wish to be done to yourself. This is a powerful statement that underlines the aim of following virtuous acts – bad is something which you do not want for yourself, good actions are the ones which you wish to be returned to you. Through this statement, people could contemplate the impact of their actions on others and for themselves, decide upon what was right and what was wrong. In his advice to emperors...
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...------------------------------------------------- Course Syllabus PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy Course Start Date: 08/15/2011 Course End Date: 10/16/2011 Please print a copy of this syllabus for handy reference. Whenever there is a question about what assignments are due or when they are due, please remember this syllabus is considered the ruling document. Copyright Copyright ©2010 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. University of Phoenix© is a registered trademark of Apollo Group, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft©, Windows©, and Windows NT© are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix© editorial standards and practices. Facilitator Information Larry Waggle, Ph. D. larrywaggle@email.phoenix.edu (University of Phoenix) Unclelahr@live.com (Alternate) 480-330-0953 (MST) Facilitator Availability I am available from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Arizona Time on most days, but I attempt to reserve Sunday for my family. On Saturdays, I tend to be online in the morning only. If these times are not...
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...Eastern and Western Philosophers Comparison Pape PHI105 David Krause University of Phoenix Axia College What is philosophy? Philosophy is the study of some of the most fundamental questions asked by mankind, such as why we are here and what the purpose of life is. Throughout the history of philosophy, there have been many influential figures coming from all corners of the planet. Despite having worldwide influences, philosophy is usually divided into eastern and western schools of thought. Eastern philosophy is centered on cognitive dimensions that revolve around meditative thinking in order to reach enlightenment, while the western school of thought subscribes to the idea of attaining salvation through a leap of faith This paper shall put forth two philosophers, one from each school of thought, discussing their unique ideas and then shall continue on to compare and contrast their ideals. Siddhartha Gautama was born into a life of privilege and wealth, being the son of a king. When Siddhartha experienced the suffering in the world, he left his wife and child to pursue a path that would uncover the cause of suffering and its cure. “After six years of wandering and meditation, he found enlightenment.” (Moore & Bruder, 2008, p.530) With this attained enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama took up the handle that he is known by today, Buddha which means “the Enlightened One.” Siddhartha’s new enlightenment led to the creation of Buddhism, which “essentially was a philosophical...
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...Eastern Educational Philosophies Abstract Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism are compared for historical, ideology, and epistemology, searching for Eastern Philosophy compatible to Western Philosophy. A research for possible influences on Education of Philosophy discovered that it was impossible to bring comparisons and even difficult to separate them into the key issues. Colonialism and Nationalism brings the two philosophies together. Even though the Western mindset can appreciate the fascination concepts it may be impossible to blend East and West. However, it is possible to juxtapose the very different philosophies as it may be represented in the arts. Even Western Philosopher who have been influenced by Eastern Philosophy, it is reasonable to believe it is the philosophers attempt to interpret Eastern Philosophy. However, it is impossible to replicate it. Instead the product is a hybrid and independent of either East or West. Eastern Educational Philosophies Eastern philosophy has a long and varied history. Asian ideas are among the oldest in the world. Great thinkers of the East have developed sophisticated cultural and political systems that have influenced other religions as well as western philosophy. This paper will examine ideological, epistemological, and historical differences in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Ways in which these philosophies have shaped higher education theory and practice are of major importance to educators. ...
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...as a mode of connection with a higher order being in order to have bliss in life and afterlife. There are different perspectives by many philosophers who argue about the controversial topic- existence of God. Some philosophers believe that due to the existence of evil and suffering in our world, it poses a serious challenge to the belief in the existence of a perfect God. In this paper however I am not concerned with the question whether God exists or not but I rather will be discussing the Western concepts of God as well as the Eastern one, followed by the dual existence of a higher being and evil. I will also emphasize on Immanuel Kant's perspectives on religion and radical evil as his views intrigued me the most among all the other philosophers, mentioning my own belief on religion and God. Western thought about God has fallen within some broad form of theism. Theism is the view that states there is a God, which is the creator and one who sustains the universe and is unlimited with regard to knowledge (omniscience), power (omnipotence), extension (omnipresence), and moral perfection. Western philosophy has interfaced most widely with Christianity, Judaism and Islam has also had some influence. The orthodox forms of all these three religions have embraced theism, though each religion has also yielded a wide array of other views. The western concept of God reveals that God created the Heavens and the Earth (which is mainly known as the cosmos) explained by the two theories....
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...------------------------------------------------- Philosophy Western philosophy Some would consider the study of "nothing" to be foolish, a typical response of this type is voiced by Giacomo Casanova (1725–1798) in conversation with his landlord, one Dr. Gozzi, who also happens to be a priest, “ | As everything, for him, was an article of faith, nothing, to his mind, was difficult to understand: the Great Flood had covered the entire world; before, men had the misfortune of living a thousand years; God conversed with them; Noah had taken one hundred years to build the ark; while the earth, suspended in air, stood firmly at the center of the universe that God had created out of nothingness. When I said to him, and proved to him, that the existence of nothingness was absurd, he cut me short, calling me silly.[3] | ” | However, "nothingness" has been treated as a serious subject worthy of research for a very long time. In philosophy, to avoid linguistic traps over the meaning of "nothing", a phrase such as not-being is oftenemployed to unambiguously make clear what is being discussed. Parmenides One of the earliest western philosophers to consider nothing as a concept was Parmenides (5th century BC) who was a Greek philosopher of the monist school. He argued that "nothing" cannot exist by the following line of reasoning: To speak of a thing, one has to speak of a thing that exists. Since we can speak of a thing in the past, it must still exist (in some sense) now and from...
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...Intellectual Development of Christianity in the European West. (Student’s Name) (Institution’s Name) (Date) Intellectual development of Christianity Christianity dates back long ago in the ancient times of Dark ages. Through the moral and ethical education of Christianity, it can clearly be defined to have originated from the integration of ancient Judaism and the cultural practices of Greek. Christianity has thus been introduced more of a discipline of philosophy since it as the best way to present the Christian values through logic presentation of facts. During the medieval age of Christianity, it shaped and curved both intellectual and political wellbeing of the society. The Christian knowledge more so, the first instance of Christianity being Catholicism introduced the concept of universalism. The church in the west was a very powerful organization that dictated the social economic welfare, as well as the political governance of the world. After the fall of Roman Empire, Christianity took root in the moral fabric of the society and condemned most of the ancient cultural practices. Practices such as witchcraft were highly discouraged and individuals who got caught were punished and even killed. The catholic power at the time determined those who were to be kings and the kingdoms to fall and strongly condemned paganism as well as those who practiced indigenous cultural behaviors. Barbarism heavily faced fierce hatred as the catholic priests and nobles persecuted...
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