ORIENTAL

Written by: Professor Abdolreza Shahrabi Farahani, The examination of disagreements between Western and Oriental Philosophy

Oriental Sciences and Philosophy encompass many philosophical and scientific schools and approaches that have emerged in various regions of Asia and the Middle East. These schools include Chinese, Indian, Iranian, and Japanese philosophy. Oriental Philosophy and science focus on nature and the natural world, reflecting on how the world and nature work. Many of these philosophies and sciences believe that the world can only be understood directly and solely through experience and observation, and that science and philosophy should be based on these experiences and observations. One of the most important philosophical and scientific schools of the East is Chinese philosophy, which is known as one of the oldest and most influential philosophical schools of the East. Chinese philosophy focuses on contemplation of the foundations and bases of existence and nature, and seeks to find a complete and comprehensive philosophical system to explain and interpret the world and reality. This school includes concepts such as the theories of yin and yang, human nature, ethics, and political philosophy. Indian philosophy is another philosophical and scientific school of the East that has emerged based on Hinduism and Buddhism. This philosophy seeks to answer questions such as the existence, stability and change in the world and nature, and ways to solve human problems and suffering. Iranian philosophy is also one of the philosophical and scientific schools of the East that has emerged based on Zoroastrian, Mazdak, and Sufi traditions. This philosophy focuses on concepts such as the unity of existence, creation, anthropology, ethics, and political philosophy.

Japanese philosophy is another philosophical and scientific school of the East that has emerged based on Shinto and Buddhism traditions. This philosophy seeks to answer questions such as the existence, stability and change in the world and nature, and ways to solve human problems and suffering. Eastern and Western philosophy have many differences, which are due to different cultural, historical, and religious foundations on which each of these philosophies is based. Generally speaking, Western philosophy is more focused on justifying and interpreting the physical world and the visible universe, while Eastern philosophy is more focused on justifying and interpreting the inner and spiritual world. For example, in Western philosophy, concepts such as logic, reason, knowledge and truth are more focused on analyzing and interpreting the visible world, while in Eastern philosophy, concepts such as spirituality, contemplation, inner experience, philosophical reflections, and religious teachings are more focused on justifying and interpreting the inner and spiritual world. Furthermore, Eastern philosophy is more based on personal experience and observation, as well as individual reflections, while Western philosophy is more based on logic, argumentation, and reasoning. In addition, Eastern philosophy tends to emphasize balance, harmony, and unity between the spiritual world and the physical world, while Western philosophy tends to emphasize differentiation and differences between different beings and concepts. Overall, the differences between Eastern and Western philosophy show that each of these philosophies seeks to justify and interpret a different world and has emerged as a response to various challenges and questions about reality and nature.

Indeed, Eastern and Western philosophy differ significantly in ethical and philosophical issues. In this regard, the differences between these two philosophies are quite noticeable. One of the prominent differences in Eastern and Western ethical philosophy is that Eastern philosophy emphasizes more on conscience and indigenous ethics, while Western philosophy is more focused on justifying ethics based on logical reasoning and general principles. For example, in Eastern philosophy, ethics is based on concepts such as karma, dharma, essence, shanti, and inner contemplation, while in Western philosophy, ethics is more based on concepts such as justice, benevolence, rights, and ethical education. Furthermore, Oriental Philosophy tends to emphasize unity and coordination between the spiritual world and the physical world, while Western philosophy tends to emphasize differentiation and differences between different beings and concepts. For example, in Eastern philosophy, ethics and political philosophy are based on the unity of the world and the relationship between humans and the natural world, while in Western philosophy, ethics and political philosophy are more based on the differences and distinctions between individuals and different societies. Eastern philosophy tends to focus more on inner contemplation, philosophical reflections, and religious teachings, while Western philosophy tends to focus more on logic, argumentation, and reasoning. Overall, the differences between Eastern and Western philosophy in ethical and philosophical issues demonstrate that each of these philosophies seeks to justify and interpret a different world and has emerged as a response to various challenges and questions about reality and nature.

Indeed, the differences between Eastern and Western philosophy in ethical and philosophical issues demonstrate that each of these philosophies seeks to justify and interpret a different world and has emerged as a response to various challenges and questions about reality and nature. Additionally, the concept of time and space is also approached differently in Eastern and Western philosophy. In Western philosophy, time and space are considered as independent and absolute concepts. In other words, time and space exist abstractly and independently of what happens in them. In this philosophy, time is considered as the continuity of events on a timeline, and space is considered as a physical dimension where physical entities exist. In Oriental Philosophy, such as in Buddhist philosophy, time and space are considered as relative and dependent on individual existence and experience. In other words, time and space are considered as relative and variable concepts that are shaped by individual experience and awareness. For example, in Oriental Philosophy, time is considered as a mental and experiential continuity that is perceived by the individual, and space is considered as a personal experience that affects the formation of physical entities. The differences between Eastern and Western philosophy in the concept of time and space demonstrate that each of these philosophies seeks to justify and interpret a different world and has emerged as a response to various challenges and questions about reality and nature. Indeed, Eastern and Western philosophy are seeking to justify and interpret different worlds based on their unique cultural, historical, religious, and philosophical foundations. Western philosophy tends to focus more on justifying and interpreting the physical and external world, while Eastern philosophy tends to focus more on justifying and interpreting the internal and spiritual world. For example, Western philosophy uses concepts such as logic, science, and sensory experience to justify and interpret the physical and external world, while Oriental Philosophy uses concepts such as contemplation, inner and mental experience, and religious teachings to justify and interpret the internal and spiritual world.

Furthermore, in Western philosophy, concepts such as postmodernism, relativism, and communication theory are used to justify and interpret a world in which concepts and values are dependent on culture and language. In contrast, in Oriental Philosophy, concepts such as unity and universality are used to justify and interpret a world in which everything is related to everything else. In terms of ethics and values, Eastern and Western philosophy also differ significantly. One prominent difference in ethical philosophy between Eastern and Western philosophy is that Eastern philosophy emphasizes more on conscience-based ethics and local ethics, while Western philosophy is more focused on justifying ethical principles based on logical reasoning and general principles. Overall, Eastern and Western philosophy seek to justify and interpret different worlds, and each of these philosophies is unique in responding to various challenges and questions about reality and nature based on its cultural, historical, religious, and philosophical foundations. For example, in Oriental Philosophy, ethics are based on concepts such as karma, dharma, nature, shanti, and inner reflection, while in Western philosophy, ethics are mostly based on concepts such as human rights, social obligations, and general principles. Another difference between Eastern and Western ethical philosophy is in regards to values. In Western philosophy, values are mostly shaped by religious teachings and communal life, while in Eastern philosophy, values are more focused on personal experience and inner reflection. For instance, in Eastern philosophy, values such as simplicity, humility, resilience, and practices such as Yoga and meditation are emphasized to attain personal peace and happiness.

The differences between Eastern and Western ethical philosophy regarding ethics and values indicate that each of these philosophies seeks to respond to different challenges and questions about ethics and values, based on their unique cultural, historical, religious, and philosophical experiences. I hope you have reached a general understanding of ”Oriental Sciences and Philosophy” and that questions have been posed to you and you have also sought their answers. There is no superiority of Oriental Sciences and Philosophy over the West, as their way of thinking has a different path than proving opinions. Oriental Sciences and Philosophy mainly address human internal subjects and still stand on their own theories and maintain their authenticity, but they also have a view of the modern world and have been striving for equality and balance with the West for many years. On the other hand, the West also has a clever look at Oriental Sciences and Philosophy while moving forward in various issues, and personally, I admire the efforts of both East and West. This is the way of thinking. It does not recognize prejudice. It is a way of thinking beyond personal interests. Thinking has identified the fundamental basis of humans and continues its path with momentum regardless of whether we call it Eastern or Western. It is thinking that has led us to the fundamental question of where we come from. In the East, they have been and are using methods to seek answers to this question. In the West, they have been and are using different methods to seek answers to this question.

When we put these two subjects together, we will realize that science and philosophy can be beautiful and pleasant to us and give us a better perspective. Both “East and West” have had and still have their own mistakes, and this is the result of thinking that apparently the world’s existence tests us at all times. When I said that a teacher is not just one person, but everything can be a teacher, this is what I meant. From the universe to the depths of an atom, the seas and oceans, the air, water, soil, fire, forests, and all that we know, and all the things we have not reached or do not have a suitable answer for, have been and will be our teacher.