A European perspective on Chinese and Western Philosophy

[Gregz]

Firstly there are not really two cultures there is only one and that is humanity. What we now think of, as the occident world was it’s self, born of the orient. The clinical analytical dualism of the likes of Aristotle however does sharply contrast the fuzzy and abstracted thinking of Chinese thinkers. However the ‘moral law’ binds both Socrates thinking and Confucianism.

In order to command the moral law; one must only ever serve the [common good]. This in turn serves the natural order or earth, which is governed by heaven, which is under the Tao in Taoism.

The Tao can be thought of the algorithm or essence of nature and the universe. In other words all of are social systems are governed by nature. It is only when man drifts astray from the natural order or ‘Way’ that he meets obstacles. Nature is the mother of culture. From culture evolved virtue. Areté virtue is knowledge. Knowledge must serve the good and hence serves nature.

Interestingly Art or an expression of ones perceptions and interpretation, is the viewed as the highest good in classical occidental thinking. Socrates even said that ‘man needed Art before sustenance’ such is its virtue and alignment with nature.


There is a school of thought in the orient that views the occident as possessing more energy (the creative or yang) at the price of harmony. Therefore the occident although more powerful is stuck in a state of permanent barbarity and is inclined to tyranny.

The orient mistakes the occident however, which empowers its women’s creativity. A woman’s role is to head the household but not the house. She instils morals in to her children along with key cultural values and perceptions. The orient on the other hand treats women as moral inferiors. Are women on the other hand are free willed and strong. This is why women figure so prominently in European art.

Gregz


Mencius said, As a rule, a man can mend his ways only after he has made mistakes. It is only when a man is frustrated in mind and in his deliberations that he is able to innovate. It is only when his intentions become visible on his countenance and audible in his tone of voice that others can understand him. As a rule, a state without law-abiding families and reliable Gentlemen on the one hand, and, on the other, without the threat of foreign invasion, will perish. Only then do we learn the lesson that we survive in adversity and perish in ease and comfort.'