Comparison of Eastern and Western Philosophy

The search for knowledge has been a major journey since the beginning of time. As a result, the Greeks invented philosophy. The term philosophy comes from the Greek word philein, which means “love” and sophia, which means “knowledge” or “wisdom” (Axia College of University of Phoenix, 2010). Anyone who sought knowledge in any area was thought to be a philosopher. Therefore, not only were Westerns philosophers, but Easterns too.
Western and Eastern philosophers have similarities and differences in varying degrees, but there are four basic types: methodical, the systematic order; metaphysical, the nature and fundamental properties of being; epistemological, the sources, nature, limits, and criteria of knowledge, and ethical, the standards of conduct (Axia College of University of Phoenix, 2010). Methodically, Western philosophy is based on logic and reasoning, whereas Eastern philosophy is closely intertwined with their religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Taoism, to name a few. Metaphysically, Westerns emphasis the virtues of life and how to obtain happiness, wheras Easterns emphasis the frailties of life, such as suffering and weakness; however, they also provide remedies for peace and security. Epistemologically, Westerns explore the existence of God as the source of all things, and Easterns believe in other gods as the source of all things. Ethically, Westerns and Easterns provide a set of laws or principles by which each individual should conduct themselves (Axia College of University of Phoenix, 2010).
Socrates was a Western philosopher who admitted he had no knowledge. However, his quest was to discover the essential nature of knowledge, justice, beauty, goodness, and courage. Consequently, he developed a method that bears his name, the Socratic method. The Socratic Method helps one recognize their own ignorance and see misconceptions in what they think they know. Socrates maintained that true knowledge exists in the Forms. Each individual has a perfect set of...