­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Eastern Philosophy

Various philosophies of Asia are put under the umbrella term Eastern philosophy. The Chinese philosophy, Indian philosophy, Japanese philosophy, Korean philosophy and Iranian philosophy are included in the Eastern philosophy. Sometimes even Islamic philosophy and Babylonian philosophy are also included in this Eastern philosophy.

There has been arguments that the difference between the eastern philosophies and the western philosophies is purely geographical, arbitrary and also somewhat Eurocentric by many postmodernists. On the other hand certain scholars objected this view and argued that the distinction is not purely geographical instead it is based on the hermeneutical and the linguistic considerations. The Eastern philosophy crosses over the three main philosophies which are distinct from each other as like the Eastern philosophy is distinct from the western philosophy. They are the Indian philosophy, Chinese philosophy and Persian philosophy. Some have also argued that the difference between the Western philosophy and the eastern philosophy has got no concrete meaning and absurd. If the Islamic philosophy is included in the western tradition it would make more sense argued some scholars. The western philosophy is also to great extent influenced by the Greek philosophy and the Hellenistic philosophy.

Some western philosophies have formulated questions on the existence of God and the relationship between God and universe keeping the Monotheistic framework as the base. These circumstances have been the result of the origins of the western philosophies form Abrahamic religions. A dichotomy has been created between the secular philosophies and the western philosophies and religious philosophies as a result of it. The dichotomy is formed with the context of religion’s dogma; to be precise, in some Protestants Christianity which related the nature of God and the universe.

 On the other hand, eastern religions have not worried about the questions that are related to the nature of the single God who is the creator of the universe and the ruler of the universe forever. Instead it became more secular. In the eastern philosophies the distinction between the secular and the religious is likely to become less sharp.

Concerned about the Indian philosophy Hinduism is one of the oldest major world religions which has given room for a diverse religious belief. There has been so many scriptures, so many practices in this religion which has got the origins from the Vedic in the 1500BC. Almost 96% of the Indian population follows this religion.

On the other hand Confucianism and neo Confucianism have marked the eastern philosophies which were developed by Confucius.

Questions:

• What are the different philosophies that fall under Eastern philosophy?
• What is the difference between western philosophy and eastern philosophy?