The Contrast between Beliefs
Since many centuries, spirituality has been at the center of human thought. The texts we’ve studied show a significant difference between the Western and Eastern viewpoints. Western philosophy focuses on gods and spirituality. We can see this in the Ancient Greek texts. Eastern Philosophy, including views of philosophers like Confucius revolve around ethics, self-knowledge, and connection with nature.
The Iliad and The Aeneid are replete with references to gods and spirituality. Odysseus and Achilles were not the only characters in Homeric texts who relied heavily on their gods. The gods controlled nature, mortals and actions, as well as cities.
The gods controlled the weather and could determine the fate of a soul in the next life. The gods were adored and respected for this. In Book 24 the Iliad King Priam tells Achilles to “revere the Gods! Pity Me in My Own Right ….” (145). This quote illustrates the respect the gods were expected to have during that period. The gods played a major role in the Trojan War.
From the texts we’ve read, it is clear that the Iliad & Aeneied don’t have a definite outcome. The gods were to predetermine and control the future. It didn’t matter what people did, the gods decided everything. Hesoid lived in Greece around the same time as Homer and briefly spoke about the importance gods.
Hesoid asserted that the gods appeared only after earth and emptiness. The gods behave rather chaotically when they appear and can often change the nature of things according to their own whims. The Greek philosophers of the Western period focused primarily on both.
Confucius, and other Eastern philosophers, never focused too much on divinity and gods. Confucius’ belief was solely in “the concrete human world” (380). Confucius, in more detail, believed that morality was important and humans were responsible for their own lives. Other gods and spirits could not control things. We are the ones in control of everything we do and who we become. He thought it important to be in touch with ourselves and nature.
Humans are the same in that we all have similar habits. Confucius is able to reflect on humanity’s love despite other people’s evil actions. In The Analects, he discusses this at length and stresses the importance of humanity’s human nature. “What habits separate, what nature brings together.” (392). Many Eastern philosophers have a similar view and saw the correlation between nature and happiness. They sought to find happiness by exploring themselves and discovering their own nature.
Eastern philosophy, and Confucian in particular, emphasized on behavior and what an individual ought to do. It was well known, for example, that children should respect their superiors and parents. “A person who respects their parents and elders is unlikely to be inclined towards defying his superiors.
A man with no tendency to rebel will never incite rebellion. A gentleman starts at the roots. The Way will unfold once the root has been secured. To respect your parents, elders and teachers is the basis of humanity.” Confucius and his system were believed to have a moral code that was ethically balanced.
Eastern philosophy, unlike Western philosophy, believes that the future is determined by your choices in daily life. It does not believe in gods. Confucius was a great “zen” thinker, as were many other Eastern Philosophers such as Cheng Yi. Eastern societies realized the importance of virtue and piety in life. Every aspect of the universe is somehow linked and can be changed.
Confucius’ Analects focused on the inner life and outer appearance of a person. The idea that living a happy, fulfilled life comes from understanding oneself and the world around you was heavily emphasized. Ancient Western Greek thought was less concerned with morality, and did not emphasize doing “what’s right”. Heroes were seen defying the gods, only to face their consequences. We saw characters beg gods to grant their wishes.
Even gods begged other gods. In the Aeneid, Venus, Aeneas’s mother, begged Jupiter to stop the suffering of the Trojans. The Greek characters in our texts were less concerned with morality and behavior. There were many events that would be condemned by Eastern philosophy, such as pride, arrogance and greed. In Eastern philosophy, moral power is more important than “power” as it is used in western aspects. Confucius advised, “Put loyalty, faith, and justice above all else, and put loyalty, faith, and justice before everything.” It is through moral power that one can accumulate moral strength. (389).
In Gilgamesh the power of the character is not measured by moral power. Gilgamesh was determined to be the best and most admirable of men. Gilgamesh wanted to be known as the most important man in his society. The need to “prove yourself” is not a priority in Eastern philosophy.
Conclusion You can see that, while both Western philosophy and Eastern philosophy had similar values, they differed in many different ways. Eastern philosophy explains the true reason for human existence, and the purpose of a person in this world. Western Philosophy was dominated by the Greeks. Only a handful of aspects touched upon the human condition. There is no doubt that ancient peoples had a great deal to teach us about our modern lives.
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