[Eddier1]

Suki;

Listen if eastern philosophies “work” for you in terms of your own individual psychological state, in being able to “focus” on your inner self, then there is no argument about you going for it.

However, we occidental philosophers do not rely on such individualism as you depicted in your post, but rather we strive through thought to arrive at a state of public agreement as to the truth, which is acceptable to all thinkers as a team or group representing that truth as not only concepts of truth organized into a system of thought called a philosophy, but which is equally important as A WAY OF LIFE.

In this “way”, there are no inherent contradictions in the philosophy we achieve. However, can your adherents of eastern philosophies say the same thing? What I am referring to is the latent contradiction inherent in translating your core beliefs and/or ideas into action. It is noticed that you easterners practice lots of meditation and even physical exercises to achieve an individual state of heightened consciousness. But when it comes to the criterion of human practice, the contradictions emerge. For example, in the eastern art of warfare, many of you eastern philosophers contradict your inner individual peace and contemplation to become team players in wars, and are no longer “individuals“. You “flow like water” in unity around the enemy applying a group action of unrelenting pressure to destroy the foe. This contradiction, also witnessed in other arenas of eastern world existence is not only a contradiction between thought and action, but also produces sometimes bizarre results of great unpleasantness.

Suki, for philosophy to provide the great consolation of truth, all such contradictions must be identified and resolved.

Regards,
EddieR