Chinese and Indian Ways of Thinking in Early Modern European Philosophy: The Reception and the Exclusion

Chinese and Indian ways of thinking were excluded from European philosophy in early modern times due to conviction of superiority and religious prejudice, resulting in a narrowing and exclusion of non-Western ways of thought. This book reveals the origin of the Eurocentric understanding of Philosophy as a Greek-European prerogative and provides a new way of thinking about the place of Asian traditions among World philosophies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Chinese and Indian ways of thinking were excluded from European philosophy in early modern times due to a combination of factors, including conviction of superiority and religious prejudice. This study examines the description of these two Asian civilizations during a century and a half of histories of philosophy, from Neoplatonic philosophia perennis and Spinozistic atheism to German Eclecticism. It reveals the origin of the Eurocentric understanding of Philosophy as a Greek-European prerogative and provides a new way of thinking about the place of Asian traditions among World philosophies.

The exclusion of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking from European philosophy in early modern times was a result of a complex set of factors, including conviction of superiority and religious prejudice. This study examines the description of these two Asian civilizations during a century and a half of histories of philosophy, from Neoplatonic philosophia perennis and Spinozistic atheism to German Eclecticism. It reveals the origin of the Eurocentric understanding of Philosophy as a Greek-European prerogative and provides a new way of thinking about the place of Asian traditions among World philosophies.

One of the primary reasons for the exclusion of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking was the conviction of superiority. European philosophers believed that their civilization was superior to those of other cultures, and they saw Chinese and Indian ways of thinking as inferior and primitive. This belief was based on a variety of factors, including the belief in the superiority of Western science and technology, the belief in the superiority of Western religion, and the belief in the superiority of Western political systems.

Another reason for the exclusion of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking was religious prejudice. European philosophers were often hostile to religious beliefs that differed from their own, and they saw Chinese and Indian religions as dangerous and heretical. This prejudice was based on a variety of factors, including the belief in the superiority of Christianity, the belief in the superiority of the Western monarchy, and the belief in the superiority of Western social structures.

Despite these factors, there were some European philosophers who were interested in Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. These philosophers included Descartes, Leibniz, and Kant, who were all interested in the idea of a universal philosophy that could be applied to all cultures. However, their interest in Chinese and Indian ways of thinking was limited by their conviction of superiority and religious prejudice.

In the late 16th century, the description of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking began to change. This change was due to a variety of factors, including the discovery of new sources of information about these civilizations, the development of new philosophical theories, and the influence of European colonialism. The discovery of new sources of information about Chinese and Indian ways of thinking included the translation of Chinese and Indian texts into European languages, the discovery of Chinese and Indian artifacts, and the travel of European explorers to China and India.

The development of new philosophical theories included the development of Neoplatonic philosophia perennis, which was based on the idea of a universal philosophy that could be applied to all cultures. Neoplatonic philosophia perennis was influenced by the works of Plato and Aristotle, and it was used to justify the superiority of Western civilization. However, Neoplatonic philosophia perennis was also criticized for its lack of attention to the unique characteristics of other cultures.

The influence of European colonialism on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking was significant. European colonialism brought about a number of changes in these civilizations, including the introduction of Western science and technology, the introduction of Western religion, and the introduction of Western political systems. These changes were often seen as beneficial by European colonialists, but they were also seen as harmful by Chinese and Indian people.

One of the most significant changes brought about by European colonialism was the introduction of Western science and technology. Western science and technology were seen as superior to Chinese and Indian ways of thinking, and they were used to justify the dominance of Western civilization. However, Western science and technology also had a negative impact on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, Western science and technology led to the destruction of many Chinese and Indian artifacts, and it led to the exploitation of Chinese and Indian people.

The introduction of Western religion was also significant. Western religion was seen as superior to Chinese and Indian religions, and it was used to justify the dominance of Western civilization. However, Western religion also had a negative impact on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, Western religion led to the conversion of many Chinese and Indian people to Christianity, and it led to the persecution of Chinese and Indian people who practiced their own religions.

The introduction of Western political systems was also significant. Western political systems were seen as superior to Chinese and Indian political systems, and they were used to justify the dominance of Western civilization. However, Western political systems also had a negative impact on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, Western political systems led to the exploitation of Chinese and Indian people, and they led to the oppression of Chinese and Indian people.

Despite these negative impacts, there were some positive impacts of European colonialism on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, European colonialism led to the development of new Chinese and Indian ways of thinking, and it led to the development of new Chinese and Indian political systems. However, these positive impacts were often overshadowed by the negative impacts of European colonialism.

In the first half of the 18th century, the description of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking began to change again. This change was due to a variety of factors, including the development of new philosophical theories, the influence of European Enlightenment, and the influence of European Romanticism. The development of new philosophical theories included the development of German Eclecticism, which was based on the idea of a universal philosophy that could be applied to all cultures. German Eclecticism was influenced by the works of Kant and Hegel, and it was used to justify the superiority of Western civilization.

The influence of European Enlightenment on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking was significant. European Enlightenment was based on the idea of reason and rationality, and it was used to justify the dominance of Western civilization. However, European Enlightenment also had a negative impact on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, European Enlightenment led to the devaluation of Chinese and Indian traditions, and it led to the rejection of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking.

The influence of European Romanticism on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking was also significant. European Romanticism was based on the idea of emotion and imagination, and it was used to justify the uniqueness of Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. However, European Romanticism also had a negative impact on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, European Romanticism led to the glorification of Chinese and Indian traditions, and it led to the rejection of Western civilization.

Despite these negative impacts, there were some positive impacts of European Enlightenment and European Romanticism on Chinese and Indian ways of thinking. For example, European Enlightenment led to the development of new Chinese and Indian ways of thinking, and it led to the development of new Chinese and Indian political systems. However, these positive impacts were often overshadowed by the negative impacts of European Enlightenment and European Romanticism.

In conclusion, Chinese and Indian ways of thinking were excluded from European philosophy in early modern times due to a combination of factors, including conviction of superiority and religious prejudice. This study examines the description of these two Asian civilizations during a century and a half of histories of philosophy, from Neoplatonic philosophia perennis and Spinozistic atheism to German Eclecticism. It reveals the origin of the Eurocentric understanding of Philosophy as a Greek-European prerogative and provides a new way of thinking about the place of Asian traditions among World philosophies. By highlighting how this narrowing and exclusion of non-Western ways of thought was a result of conviction of superiority and religious prejudice, this book provides a new way of thinking about the place of Asian traditions among World philosophies.

Weight: 376g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350191419