Western and Eastern Philosophy

Eastern philosophy comprises the various philosophies of Asia, including Indian philosophy, Chinese, Iranian, Japanese, Korean, Arab and Jewish philosophies. The division is not purely geographic but also stems from general hermeneutic and conceptual differences that lay between Eastern and Western traditions.

Despite of Western philosophies in which questions on the nature of God and his relationship to the universe based on Monotheistic framework, Eastern religions have not been as concerned by questions relating to the nature of a single God as the universe's sole creator and ruler. The distinction between the religious and the secular tends to be much less sharp in Eastern philosophy, and the same philosophical school often contains both religious and philosophical elements. Thus, some people accept the so-called metaphysical tenets of Buddhism without going to a temple and worshipping. Some have worshipped the Taoist deities without delving into the theological background, while others embrace the Taoist religion while ignoring the mythological aspects.

This stands in contrast to some recent philosophy in the West, which has traditionally enforced either a completely unified philosophic/religious belief system (for example, the various sects and associated philosophies of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam), or a sharp and total repudiation of some forms of religion by philosophy (for example, Nietzsche, Marx, Voltaire, etc.).

A common thread that often differentiates Eastern philosophy from Western is the relationship between the gods (or God) and the universe. Much like the classical Greek philosophies, many Eastern schools of thought were more interested in explaining the natural world via universal patterns; without recourse to capricious agencies like gods (or God). Syncretism allowed various schools of thought such as Yi, Yin yang, Wu xing and Ren to mutually complement one another without threatening traditional religious practice or new religious movements.

• Ex. 8 Say if the following statements true (T) or false (F). If a statement is false, say the right one.

  Eastern and Western philosophies have the same framework for the relationship between the gods and the universe.	⃞
  In Western philosophies questions on the nature of God and his relationship to the universe are based on Monotheistic framework.	⃞
  In Eastern philosophy threatens traditional religious practice and new religious movements.	⃞
  Western philosophy has no sharp and total repudiation of some forms of religion.	⃞
  Some people in the west accept the metaphysical tenets of Buddhism without going to a temple and worshipping it.	⃞
  Recent Western philosophy has enforced a completely unified philosophic and religious belief system.	⃞
  Someone has to delve into the theological background of Taoist deities to accept the Taoist religion.	⃞
  Many Eastern schools of thought explain the natural world by means of universal patterns.	⃞
  In Eastern philosophy there are such schools of thought as Yi, Yin yang, Wu xing and Ren.	⃞
  The division is purely geographic and also stems from general hermeneutic and conceptual differences that lay between Eastern and Western traditions.	⃞

• Ex. 9 Answer the questions to the first passage of the text (Ex. 7) and then retell the first passage.

• What philosophies does Eastern philosophy comprise?

• Does Eastern philosophy include Arab, Jewish and Persian philosophies?

• Is the division purely geographic?

• What does the division stem from?

• What do general hermeneutic and conceptual differences lay between?

Ex. 10 Find and cross out an odd word or phrase in each sentence. Put sentences in the correct order to get a brief summary of the second and third passages of the text. Retell the summary.

In Western philosophies questions concern on the relationship between the nature of God and the universe are based on monotheistic framework. Eastern religions do not consider God relating as the universe's sole creator and ruler. In Eastern philosophy the distinction in contrast between the religious and the secular is less sharp. Its philosophical school often contains the so-called both elements. This stands in contrast to recent western philosophy, which has enforced unified belief system and repudiated some totally forms of religion as in philosophy by Nietzsche, Marx, Voltaire.

• Ex. 11 Put questions to the last passage of the text (Ex.7) and let your fellow-students answer them.

• Ex. 12 Complete the following sentences and try to retell the summary to the last passage of the text.

The relationship between the gods and the universe differentiates … . Like the classical Greek philosophies, many Eastern schools of thought were more interested in … . Syncretism allowed various schools of thought to … . Syncretism does not threaten … .

• Ex. 13 Find 16 grammar mistakes and correct them.

Eastern philosophy consist of a survey the different philosophical system and religion of India, China, plus development of Zen Buddhism in Far East. In the East, philosophy a way of life. This do not mean that our western idea of truth, reason and logic are not pursue in the East. Perhaps most important characteristic of the eastern philosophy are the awareness of the unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events, the experience of all phenomenon in the universe as a manifestations of a basic oneness. This does not course in eastern religion, but in eastern philosophy.

• Ex. 14 Rewrite the last two passages of the text (Ex. 7) in the past. Keep to the sequence of tenses.

• Ex. 15 Solve the crossword puzzle. New active words are its clues.

ACROSS:

a god or goddess; the state of being divine; godhead;

to ensure observance of or obedience to (a law, decision, etc.);

of or relating to the interpretation of Scripture; interpretive;

to take something that someone offers you;

to be derived; originate;

several different;

to take up (a new idea, faith, etc.);

a rejection of the authority or validity of; a refusal to accept;

a belief, opinion, or dogma.

DOWN:

factors or causes changing quickly and suddenly;

one of two parts that make up a whole or complete each other;

a set of ideas, rules, or beliefs from which something is developed, or on which decisions are based;

something that you address to achieve something;

to admire and love someone very much;

to consist of; comprise;

to consist of particular parts, groups etc.;

modern, fresh, or new.

• Ex. 16 Discussion. Prepare an oral report or make a presentation about favourite philosophers of eastern philosophy.