East Meets West: A Journey Through Philosophical Exchange

Introduction to East Meets West
Introduction to East Meets West
This slide introduces the profound ways Eastern philosophy has infused Western thought, from ancient Greek interactions with the East to modern philosophical dialogues.
Pre-Socratic Eastern Influence
Pre-Socratic Eastern Influence
Early Greek thinkers, like Pythagoras, may have been influenced by Eastern traditions during their travels. The parallels in Pythagorean and Eastern numerology suggest a cross-cultural exchange.
Transcendentalists Embrace Eastern Wisdom
Transcendentalists Embrace Eastern Wisdom
19th-century Transcendentalists, including Emerson and Thoreau, embraced Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, which grounded their radical views on spirituality and self-reliance.
Psychoanalysis Meets Eastern Thought
Psychoanalysis Meets Eastern Thought
Carl Jung incorporated Eastern concepts into psychoanalysis. He examined Taoist and Hindu texts, integrating ideas like synchronicity, which mirrored Taoism's interconnectedness.
Eastern Philosophy in Science
Eastern Philosophy in Science
Quantum physicists, notably Erwin Schrödinger, were inspired by Vedantic ideas. The notion of oneness in Eastern thought parallels the interconnectedness found in quantum theory.
Mindfulness Enters Western Medicine
Mindfulness Enters Western Medicine
Mindfulness, rooted in Buddhist meditation, has revolutionized Western psychotherapy and stress reduction, exemplified by Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program.
Eastern Aesthetics Influence Art
Eastern Aesthetics Influence Art
Eastern emphasis on simplicity and nature significantly influenced Western art movements, such as Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism, prompting a minimalist aesthetic.
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What did East infuse in Western thought?
Eastern food and cuisine
Eastern numerical systems
Eastern philosophy