The Eastern philosophy is very different from the Western philosophy. In Western philosophy their philosophy is based on materialism and individualism and based on the notions of rationality and empirical evidence to interpret the world around us.
The eastern philosophy is also different to the ideologies of capitalism and socialism. However, in the current 21st century they embrace western philosophy in their orientation and outlook but they are still very different in their philosophical orientation.
The insights and the influence of spiritual and religious notions is the bed rock of eastern philosophy in varying degrees in many eastern cultures. In western cultures spirituality plays a minor role than in eastern philosophy.
The basis of eastern philosophy comes from spirituality rather than materialism and individualism as well its philosophy is more in harmony with nature and respect for nature's processes and notions of sharing and collective welfare rather individual welfare.
In the eastern philosophy the customs and traditions are mostly preserved and they change over a long period of time and mostly it is reinforced by socialization and respect for authority.
In eastern philosophy spiritual development and moral development is emphasized as well self-control of ego and mental wellbeing and meditative practices are encouraged.
The eastern philosophy is based mostly on meta-physical orientation and introspection. Material development is important in the perspective of eastern philosophy but it plays a secondary role and the source of happiness comes from spirituality and harmony and contented mind than wealth maximizing alone.
For example Hinduism in India, Buddhism in different versions affects the oriental philosophy. Muslim religion in Middle East plays an important role in the orientation of Middle Eastern philosophy. The core of eastern philosophy is affected in different degrees shaped by the modern world materialistic philosophy.
It is also important to note eastern philosophy is not homogeneous and it is heterogeneous even within different regions shaped by history, traditions, customs, and class and by the arrival of Christianity and colonialism.
However there is also commonality in eastern cultures for example to greater extent the eastern philosophy is based on spirituality and introspection than materialism and individualism present in western philosophy.
The great philosophical insights come from religious and spiritual men like Gandhi in India, Spiritual masters in ancient China and Japan practicing different versions of Buddhism and in other oriental countries like Thailand.
In addition in Middle East and in some Asian countries like Malaysia and Indonesia to greater extent Middle Eastern philosophy is shaped by Muslim religious notions. It is also important to note after colonization by western countries they have to some degree accepted the western philosophical orientations in their societies but they have their unique blend and still they are quite different to western philosophy even now.
It is certain in the future they may be having more materialistic basis of philosophy but they may continue to be different and spirituality will play a major role and shaped their philosophy in the future philosophical orientation. One can predict the eastern philosophy will be different to western philosophy and will be district from it for many decades
In Eastern countries they are very proud of their cultural heritage and philosophy and there fore it will continue to be different to the western philosophy even if the gap is closed by economic development and the process of globalization.
