Eastern Philosophy

Historical School of Main Features, Beliefs

Period Thought,
Belief System
(Region area)
Ca. 2000 BCE Judaism Belief in one God (monotheism), who has a role in
(Israel, the Levant) the ultimate destiny of mankind; the Jewish people
are God’s chosen people

The observance of God’s commandments will result

in rewards. A deeper study and understanding of
God’s laws as revealed in the sacred scriptures will
lead to wisdom.
Proponents, Major Texts Tanakh, torah, and
Abraham Moses
various scriptures

Various prophets

Ca. 1500 BCE Hinduism

(India, South Asia) Belief in a pantheon of gods, with three main gods-
Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu

Belief in a cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara), which is

broken when a person achieves ultimate union with the
Divine (moksha)

Emphasis on Dharma, the fulfillment of duties and

behavior in accordance with the established order in the
world; individual actions contribute to either a good or
bad effect (karma) in a person’s life
 1st concept: Dharma- is the religious and moral law
governing individual conduct and is one of the four ends
of life.
2nd concept: Avatar- is the material appearance or
incarnation of a deity on earth.
3rd concept: Karma- individual actions contribute to
wither a good or bad effect in a person’s life.

4th concept: Samsara- cycle of birth and rebirth

Proponents, Major Texts

The Vedas-are a collection of hymns and other ancient religious texts written in India between about 1500
and 1000 BCE.
Four Types of Vedas
1. Rig Veda- contains verses or sayings
2. Yahur Veda- based on a collection of sacrificial formulae in early Sanskrit used in the Vedic religion
by the priest in charge of sacrificial ritual.
3. Sama Veda- it is a liturgical text which consists of 1,549 verses.
4. Atharua Veda- It is a collection of 20 books containing hymns, chants, spells and prayers; and
involves issues such as healing of illnesses, prolonging life, black magic and rituals for removing maladies
and anxieties.
Ca. 600 BCE Shinto (Japan) An animistic religion influenced by Japanese myth
and traditions

The material and spiritual worlds are closely

connected; rituals and traditions are a way to connect
with the spiritual world.

Mankind and the world are essentially good and

pure.

Harmony and balance are essential in maintaining

purity.

No distinct philosophers or sacred texts

Ca. 600-500 Jainism (India) Rejects the idea of a Creator and considers the universe
as eternal and unceasing; time is a wheel which goes
BCE through cycles of prosperity and suffering.

Wisdom is developed through the practice of the five

main vows: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya
(honesty), brahmacharya (chastity), and aparigraha
(piety).

Meditation, discipline, and respect for all life are

emphasized.

Proponents, Major Texts

Mahavira Jain Agamas

Ca. 400 BCE Buddhism (South Shares a number of main beliefs (samsara, dharma,
moksha) with Hinduism
Asia, East Asia,
Southeast Asia) The Four Noble Truths describe worldly existence as
imperfect and influenced by earthly desires and
suffering (dukkha); to rid oneself of desire and
achieve liberation from suffering, one must follow
the Eight-fold Path.
Eight-fold Path:
1. Right understanding
2. Right thought
3. Right concentration
4. Right mindfulness
5. Right speech
6. Right action
7. Right livelihood
8. Right effort
Four Noble Truths:
1. Dukkha- deals with anxiety, dissatisfaction,
and suffering
 2. Samudaya- suffering
3. Nirodha- end of suffering
4. Magga- path leading to suffering
Divided into two major branches: Theravada
Buddhism and Mahayana Buddhism

Proponents, Major Texts

Siddharta Gautama (Buddha)
Tripitaka

Ca. 400 BCE Confucianism The contemplation of the order of things can lead
(East Asia) to self-transformation. Self-transformation can lead
to the betterment of the family and society.

Human relationships are based on mutual

obligations; individuals should perform their
intended roles and contribute to social order.

Proponents, Major Texts

The Five
Confucius
Classics
Ca. 200 BCE Taoism (East Asia) Emphasis on the unity and harmony
among opposing elements (yin and yang);
individuals must seek to understand and
act in accordance with the natural order

Proponents, Major Texts I Ching, Tao Te

Lao Tzu
Ching, and Zhuangzi

Ca. 610 CE Islam (West Asia) Belief in one God (Allah); commitment to faith is
shown through the practice of the Five Pillars:
testament of faith (shahada), daily prayers (salat),
alms-giving (zakat), fasting during the month of
Ramadan (sawm), and pilgrimage to the holy city of
Mecca (hajj).

Religion and society are closely intertwined; all

Muslims are members of a community (ummah)
bounded by faith.

Divided into two major branches: Sunni Islam and

Shia Islam

Quran
Proponents, Major Texts

Muhammad
Ca. 1440 CE Sikhism (India) God is believed to have created the universe
and is present everywhere snd in everything,

Man communicates with God through

meditation, and his ultimate destiny is union
with the Divine.

Apart from meditation, believers must

devote themselves to selfless service and
action.

Proponents, Major Texts Guru Granth Sahib

Guru Nanak
 Western philosophy
Historical Period School of Thought Main Features, Beliefs
Ancient Rome
(1st century Stoicism Emphasis on morality, virtue, calm, and
BCE to 5th emotional fortitude
century CE)

Notable Philosophers

Seneca Epictetus Marcus Aurelius

Medieval Scholasticism Application of philosophy to define and
Period (5th to explain religious doctrines
15th centuries
Notable Philosopherss
 St. Thomas Aquinas St. Augustine

Renaissance Humanism Emphasis on the human person; use of

(14th to 17th philosophy to understand society, nature,
centuries) and humanity
Notable Philosophers

Petrarch Desiderius Erasmus Niccolo Machiavelli Francois Rabelais

The Rationalism Reason and logic considered the basis of
Enlightenment knowledge and belief; man has innate
(17th to 18th knowledge that can be accessed through
centuries) intuition or deduction
 Notable Philosophers

Rene Descartes Immanuel Kantz Gottfried Leibniz

The Empiricism Knowledge is gained through the senses

Enlightenment and experience; reliance on inductive
(17th to 18th reasoning to arrive at generalizations
centuries)
Notable Philosophers
David Hume Francis Bacon John Locke
The Social and Discussions on the ideal human situation
Enlightenment Political and society; emphasis on individual
(17th to 18th Philosophy rights and liberties
centuries)
Notable Philosophers

Voltaire Jean Jacques Thomas Hobbes John Stuart Mill

Rousseau

Modern Existentialism Human experience is defined by the

th
period (19 to views, emotions, and actions of the
20th centuries individual
 Notable Philosophers

Soren Kierkegaard Friedrich Nietzsche Martin Heidegger

Jean Paul Sartre Simone de Beauvoir

Modern Pragmatism
period (19th Emphasis on the practical use of
to 20th knowledge and ideas
centuries

Notable Philosophers
 Charles Peirce William James John Dewey

Modern
period (19th Phenomenology Experience is studied based on the
to 20th subjective viewpoint of the individual
centuries

Notable Philosophers
Edmund Husserl

Modern
period (19th Absurdism Man will never understand the human
to 20th condition and the meaning of life
centuries
 Notable Philosophers
Albert Camus

Modern
period (19th Postmodernism Analysis on how knowledge, ideas, and
to 20th , Post- power relations are defined
centuries structuralism

Notable Philosophers
Jacques Derrida Michel Foucault

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