MAJOR EASTERN PHILOSOPHERS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS Flashcards
•Often combines reason with intuition, personal experience, and spiritual insights
•Focuses more on connectedness, harmony with others and nature
•Often cyclical (like the concept of reincarnation in some philosophies)
•Usually aims for harmony, balance, and inner peace
EASTERN
•Focuses more on logic, reason, and the scientific method
•Emphasizes individuality and personal identity
•Usually linear (past, present, future)
•Often seeks to understand and control the world
WESTERN
-Consists of schools of thought which are often closely tied with religious beliefs.
-They are often described as “wisdom” literature, where stories, sayings, and texts encourage people to adopt an ethical and harmonious way of life.
EASTERN PHILOSOPHY
TYPES OF PHILOSOPHIES
THEISTIC
NON-THEISTIC
not believing in a god or gods
NON-THEISTIC
belief in the existence of a god or gods
THEISTIC
•Founder of Sikhism
•Concept of One God and equality of all humans
•Emphasis on devotion, meditation, and selfless service
GURU NANAK
•Synthesis of Aristotelian and Neoplatonic ideas with Islamic thought
•Contributions to logic, metaphysics, and medicine
IBN SINA
•Reconciliation of Islamic theology with Greek philosophy
•Critique of Aristotelian metaphysics
•Emphasis on spiritual experiences in religious knowledge
AL-GHAZALI
•Founder of Soto Zen in Japan
•Emphasis on zazen (seated meditation) •Concept of shikantaza (just sitting)
DOGEN
•Founder of Shingon Buddhism in Japan
•Emphasis on esoteric practices and rituals
KUKAI
•Concept of Tao (the Way)
•Balance of yin and yang
•Wu wei (non-action or effortless action)
LAO TZU
•Emphasis on social harmony and proper relationships
•Concept of ren (benevolence/humaneness)
•Importance of filial piety and ritual
CONFUCIUS
•Founder of Jainism
•Five main vows: ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha
•Emphasis on non-violence and respect for all life
MAHAVIRA
•Buddha
•Four noble truths
•Eightfold path
•Concept of impermanence and nonself
SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA
