What is philosophy?

What are the most fundamental differences between occidental philosophy and Indian philosophy?

• Taken in the long view, not only modern versions. As merely an armchair student on this subject, I have gathered a couple of observations on this point: 1. Indian philosophy includes a physical, almost acrobatic element -- in the yoga poses. Western philosophy seems entirely devoid of any related physical practices. 2. Indian philosophy doesn't present itself as two sides thinking different ways and arguing on the nature of reality. It seems more oriented towards presenting all of the many ways we could see or understand the world as something so immense that we can never really begin to grasp it all. It's more like it offers access points rather than arguments. 3. Indian philosophy seems to always want to integrate differences into the whole, whereas western philosophy things in terms of right and wrong, good lines of thinking versus wrong ones. 4. Indian philosophy seems more like a game akin to a puzzle where we work at putting the pieces together. Western philosophy seems more into categorizing philosophies and trying to define the most vital, best way of thinking about human life.

• Answer:

  Both are highly individualistic world views but the flavor of individualism is different: Indian: Individualism = think for yourself, but live for others Occidental: Individualism = think like everyone else, but live for yourself This is easily noticeable in everything from family to finances to daily rituals to other behaviors.