East-West Comparison (part 1)

I'm trying to draw connections between Western philosophy and Eastern thought, specifically referencing Heidegger, Rorty, Wittgenstein...

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• Philosophy
• Eastern
• thought
• Heidegger
• Rorty
• Wittgenstein
• Language

[zildit]

This is an area which I'm also interested in. I think that Nietzsche's (and Heidegger's/Sartre's) emphasis on the flux of becoming is similar to Buddhist thought. I'll get back to you when I've got a moment. Thanks for the post...oh, and RIP Richard Rorty.

[redliterocket4]

wow, i didn't know he died. recently?

[MrSigma]

The Greeks did not begin science. Science began in India and there is evidence to this effect. Why is the Western world repeating these wrong notions?

The world's first university was at Nalanda in India, and its students were taught arts, music, mathematics and science. No wonder that the ancient Indian mathematicians were able to calculate the diameter of the earth within 2 inches of its accuracy (as per modern science). The word "trigonometry" comes from the Sanskrit. Evidence is available.

[MrSigma]

India and Greece traded as early as 4th century BC. After Alexander's death, some of his prefects ruled small kingdoms in India. They were duly defeated by Chandragupta Maurya and had to accept him as the Emperor. After that there was regular exchange of ideas both materialistic and spiritual between India and Greece.

Type "Mauryan empire" in wikipedia and read.

Thanks.

[eatmorchikin123]

Your so off base...

[acidcrashguy]

@NemesisShield I pity your ignorance of eastern thought and eastern science. Theories of gravitation, helio-centralism, algebra, ayurveda, yoga, siderial astonomy, metalurgy all orginated in the greater Indian subcontinent. Western thought is fragmented - religion, science, philosophy and society have no coherence what so ever. Just because Copernicus, Newton stated question basic Christian assumptions it was considered a big deal. In Indian though, science and religion were one and the same.

[MrNemesisNerd]

Also, I do not agree with this video's statement that "Asia never discovered science". That is also, in my opinion, false and a gross over-simplification of history.

(However, I think that the speaker is technically quoting some other philosopher, not giving his own opinion.)

[MrNemesisNerd]

I am (relatively) familiar with the history of the Mauryan Empire and of the exchange of Greek and Indian ideas and culture following Alexander's conquests (also, the exchange technically began even before Chandragupta's reconquest of the Greek kingdoms). But, I do not see what that has to do with your claim that science was invented in India. My point is that you are over-simplifying the history of science.

(BTW, I am the same NemesisShield from above. I just changed my username recently.)

[NemesisShield]

The Greeks did many crucial contributions to mathematics and science. The Indians did as well. So did the Chinese. And the Arabs/Persians (in the Islamic Golden Age).

Before them, the Egyptians and the Mesopotamians made discoveries as well. (The Greeks inherited a LOT from these two.)

Science is an ongoing process of accumulating, developing, and expanding knowledge. I do not know that anyone really invented it, per se. Laying to claim to science is like laying claim to religion or art.

[NemesisShield]

Also, Wikipedia says that the Nalanda university was established in 450 CE. If true, then this is well after the Pythagorean school, Plato's Academy, and the Library and Museum of Alexandria. Can you verify this?

My actual point is that trying to make bold statements about who invented "science" is somewhat misguided. Science is far more complicated - it is an ongoing process of knowledge. The Greeks didn't invent science either, but they did make important contributions. Same with India.

[NemesisShield]

I think that you are over-simplifying the history of science. Have you read about the work of Erathosthenes and Archimedes? There is a book out called "The Forgotten Revolution: How Science Was Born in 300 BC and Why it Had to Be Reborn" by Lucio Russo that argues that the Hellenistic Greeks had essentially developed a scientific method.

Also, I have never heard of some of your facts. A measurement of the Earth's diameter within 2 inches? Can you give the precise calculation that was used?

[mariohry]

Stop talking and start to read! To see You after 20 years!