Eastern and Western Philosophers Tanya Brooks University of Phoenix 10/16/2011

For many years life and ideas were disturbed by Eastern and Western philosophies, and how they looked and viewed the world. Is it likely to actually

comprehend the insinuations, purposes, and explanations that have guided each philosopher to their certainty? If we can or cannot, we still have observed every idea and link it to how it coordinates our own opinions and views. There is an extensive gulf between Buddha and John Dewey, but looking at each in perspective of the other clarifies their different principles, centuries, and essences.

Eastern Philosophers Siddhartha Gautama (563-483 B.C.) would eventually be called Buddha, and his philosophy was directed towards religion and philosophy which was called Buddhism. Buddha was inquisitive about why some people agonized, and this made him find out why the people in his kingdom agonized in a myriad of ways. Buddha seen suffering as a long lasting nuisance confined in a humans body and soul. Buddha had a relaxed and lavished life, and it seemed like he had everything a person could ever want or desire even a wife, and child. Nevertheless he still ventured out into the world to educate himself on why people suffered and how he could solve it. He studied for six years on why suffering occurs, and he learned that suffering comes from human nature, and the inclination to panic and fear all unavoidable changes. It is logical in this day and age changes happen, and the changes affect how people live and feel (Moore & Bruder, 2008). Buddha scripted out his philosophy in the Four Nobel Truths: 1) Suffering does exist, 2) Suffering is present for intentions that we recognize, 3) Suffering can end, 4) Keeping Eightfold Path in mind will start to inform life, and the end of suffering. Buddha educated everyone about suffering and the Eightfold Path is very much like the positive and noble lifestyle that Jesus Christ defined as the way to cheerfulness now and evermore. Buddha stated that existing in the right and suitable way was the only way a person could terminate their suffering. The Eight Fold Path is the eight rules or eight stages that signify that your life is being lived acceptably. If these stages are followed, then that person can have a cleaner and enhanced mind and actions, which can make anyone happier naturally. One of the most important things to remember is that Buddha did not educate about God or an originator, and also people were held accountable for learning how to get rid of their own suffering. He created the Eight Fold Path so people would monitor it without terror or hesitation. It is extraordinary that Buddhas thought lines up with training of the heavenly creator in many methods.

Western Philosophers

John Dewey (1859-1952) was in Americas pragmatist philosophical drive. For a pragmatist, there is no realness or indisputable truth. People say that the truth is described by the time, place, and context, and it is always changing to assist and incorporate new information (Moore & Bruder, 2008). Evidently this is true, because change is always happening regardless how we feel about them. If we do not change who we are to adjust to our environment and situations, our lives and personalities will deteriorate and we will all be stuck in a fixed environment. Dewey had the modern idea instrumentalism, which meant peoples ideas and their thoughts. Dewey would tell people that they could use their mind to figure out solutions to the problems that lied in front of them, instead of looking for the truth. Dewey thought people were able to find the correct answers so they could have a better life by thinking, therefore lessening their suffering. Deweys ideas were similar to other philosophers who thought that people were able to make their lives better and find contentment. This is linked to Buddhas Eight Fold Path because he was displaying to people how they could better their lives and deal with the changes in their life. Dewey had fewer concerns with metaphysics, so he figured searching for a complete answer from the ether was meaningless because no answer had a secure or inactive answer. Seeing how everything changes, Dewey figured answers must change as well. I was fascinated by Deweys idea that nature is experiential, because I assumed that the other philosophers thought fixed nature was mystifying and irrational. Dewey believed that objects stand solo and are unalike depending on the situation and how it is being used. This was more logical to me because I have been in similar situations. Dewey wanted to change American society, and he was a supporter of reforming American social standards that were old-fashioned and biased. He wanted to improve the education system, undue the treatment of women, and other issues that were unfair at the time in history. Dewey fought to practice the use of his change to societys members. He was a caring and generous man. The Similarities and Differences Buddha and Dewey have numerous differences, and the most important one was their different experiences of life and culture. Buddhas thoughts were intended towards mystical parts of life, but Dewey was more apprehensive with logic and its presentations in real life around him. Buddha assisted people to solve their own suffering through meditation and likeness on themselves, whereas Dewey wanted the people to take accountability for the change in society. The only thing their philosophies allocated is that they

cared about others and wanted to help the others around them (Moore & Bruder, 2008). Conclusion Philosophical thinking has reformed over time is motivating to realize and encounter. Tradition and culture clearly change how others think and interact with one another, but I believe that things have not ever changed, just the way others think. I do not agree with the beliefs of one philosopher, because I happen to like both of them. I see myself as a logical thinker, but since I have never been religious I also agree with Buddha and his mystical thinking. I agree more with the care and concern for others. References Moore & Bruder, 2008