Essay – A synthesis of Eastern wisdom and Western science: a needed goal for humanity
A synthesis of Eastern wisdom and Western science: a needed goal for humanity Essay: The term ‘Global Village’ is a prevalent term that signifies the gradual interconnectedness between the eastern and western worlds through the use of media and technology. Coined by Marshall McLuhan, a Canadian media theorist in his book ‘The Gutenberg Galaxy: Making of a Typographic Man’ (1962) and ‘Understanding Media’ (1964), the term sheds light on the phenomenon of Global Existence harbinger by the exchange of thoughts, ideas and philosophy, and interaction between varied cultures. As such a hybrid philosophy of Eastern wisdom and western science is plausible for the holistic welfare of humanity.
Discussion
The majority of Indian philosophies such as Hinduism. Jainism, Buddhism and Islam are concerned with the inquiry of truth. The connotation of the term ‘truth’ in the philosophical context signifies an exploration of truth in the spiritual sense of the term, seeking answers to resolve the unanswered question of life, existence, death and the afterlife. Eastern wisdom in general and Indian philosophical principles of life have identified six schools of philosophies that seek intellectual and spiritual truth. The six schools are Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva, Mimansa, Vedanta or Uttara Mimansa. These philosophies are pathways to a righteous living characterized by ultimate liberation as suggested by sages Konada, Gotama, Kapila, Patanjali, Jaimini and Vyasa respectively. According to Eastern philosophy, Vaisheshika and Nyaya refer to the belief in self-perception and inquiry of truth within oneself and drawing inferences from the truth of life. Samkhya and Yoga are the seeking of truth from one’s being in the natural environment that he is born in. For instance, an individual will comprehend the truth through the process of introspection concerning the realities of his environment. Purva and Mimasa signify the assessment of one’s actions before conducting them and karma refers to the consequences of those actions leading to mimasa which is the ultimate resolution. Indian philosophy explores the truth of existence from a subjective and spiritual point of view. In contradiction, Western science focuses on the exploration of objective truths. Most philosophers of western civilization such as Plato and Aristotle sought truth objectively by gathering empirical evidence, critical analysis of the findings in qualitative terms and concluding on the truth in measurable terms. For instance, Copernicus’ inferences of the earth rotating around the sun, dismissing the orthodox church’s claim of the contrary, were based on observation of the phenomenon of day and night. The constant discontentment upon failure of gratifying material needs such as wealth, possessions and recognition emanating in the western cultures can be balanced by the spiritual truths of eastern schools of thought, on the other hand, the western school of philosophy that is based on seeking objective truths can balance out the over-reliance on spiritual truth and seeking answers to questions of the afterlife.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the conflicts between want of material wealth and internal peace of spiritual nature can be resolved by adhering to a philosophy that is composed of eastern wisdom, that differentiates knowledge as the ability to judge the authenticity of objective facts rather than seeking information, and western science that motivates to develop a temperament of scientific inquiry of facts from an objective point of view.
FAQs
Q1. Who coined the term ‘Global village’?
Ans: The term ‘Global Village’ is a prevalent term that signifies the gradual interconnectedness between the eastern and western worlds through the use of media and technology was coined by Marshall McLuhan.
Q2. What are the six schools of thought in Indian philosophy?
Ans: The six schools are Vaisheshika, Nyaya, Samkhya, Yoga, Purva, Mimansa, Vedanta or Uttara Mimansa.
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