Eastern Philosophers

[VideCorSpoon]

It might be a good idea to have an Eastern Philosophers sub-forum which could incorporate Sun Tzu, Miyamoto Musashi, Confucius, Ibn al-Haytham, etc. Just thought I'd put it out there.

[Didymos Thomas]

I am very fond of adding eastern philosophers.

But do they need their own sub-forum? Why not just place them in their appropriate historical category; like the Confucius thread in the pre-Socratics section.

[VideCorSpoon]

Thats true, it would fit into that category. But I (for example) get the impression that that particular sub forum is for the pre-socratics only. Plus I think a lot of people aren't as familiar as we are with the general time line of philosophers.

All that aside, I am also very fond of eastern philosophers as well. I have been in a Japanese philosophers kick lately and just picked up Miyamoto Musashi's Book of five rings again. Tactics, swordplay, and final nihilistic conceptions. Very good read.

[Didymos Thomas]

Thats true, it would fit into that category. But I (for example) get the impression that that particular sub forum is for the pre-socratics only. Plus I think a lot of people aren't as familiar as we are with the general time line of philosophers.

Well, what's a pre-Socratic but someone who came before Socrates? Maybe this is just displaying my ignorance.
As for the time line issue, I think that's all the more reason to put the eastern thinkers in our already established sub-forums. Might help people learn the time line a little better, and help them compare and contrast western and eastern thought at various stages.

I dunno. I guess it's mostly an aesthetics issue.

All that aside, I am also very fond of eastern philosophers as well. I have been in a Japanese philosophers kick lately and just picked up Miyamoto Musashi's Book of five rings again. Tactics, swordplay, and final nihilistic conceptions. Very good read.

You know, I've never read any Japanese philosophy. I'm definitely cheating myself for being so lazy. Any other recommendations?

[VideCorSpoon]

Oh, yeah. I get where your coming from on the pre-socratics. But I would think others would look at it and think that the pre-socratic section was for Heraclitus, Democritus, etc. only, and not for any other philosophers from that time period. One thing I think would look cool is if we could look at the visual time frame of philosophers (and philosophies, etc) in general and have the links based off of that.

But for Japanese philosophy, it is actually very similar to Chinese philosophy, but I think it is more utilitarian and practical, or more precisely, more straight to the point. Miyamoto Musashi's book of the five rings is a must if you like samurai stuff, or as like to think of it, as philosophy with sharp objects. It explains a wide degree of combative stances in a philosophical outlook in a manner not unlike the Chinese and Greek conceptions of primary elements and relates those to the tactics of a sword fighter. Very interesting and entertaining to read. What drew me to the book was not the sword fighting, but the last book, called "the void", which basically said in so many words, "take everything you learned and forget it... yet still utilize it." Odd, right? But when you take that concept and apply it to things said in one of the previous chapters of the book, it makes perfect sense. Like when he explains that when facing an opponent, never fix your eyes on the enemy. It seemed like a metaphor where one should not focus entirely on an enemy and loose perspective of everything else. But beyond the metaphor, he was also noting that a person peripheral vision is more accurate than frontal vision which is less accurate because we cant help but focus on certain points. Which in itself contradicts one of his primary rules about being a focused swordsmen. Thats what to expect, philosophical perspective and a deeper practical sense with a hint of negation in everything he says.

This is a little thing I made a long time ago for a friend in photoshop which you may like. It is the primary teachings of Musashi.




Onmyodo is another good Japanese philosopher, though he is more of a cosmogonist. But still, it is a really good read for the Japanese perspective on that kind of thing compared to early Greek cosmogonists.

[Didymos Thomas]

Very cool, thanks Vide. You have convinced me to spend more money at the book store - and I love doing that.

[VideCorSpoon]

Oh yes... we of the cult of Barnes and Noble are pleased. BRING MONEY!!!! Also, off the subject yet peculiarly related... have you ever noticed that the best philosophy books (and other books like collected works) are in that front section near the door where the books are like $10 dicount giveaway? Whats the deal with that. I'm not complaining, but I mean c'mon. I saw a biography of Miley Cyrus for $20 and a book shelf away I saw a thick philosophy compendium for like $7. Clearly, it was a sad day.

[Didymos Thomas]

Borders isn't bad, either.

Miley Cyrus, $20.
Wisdom, $7.
Realizing that your fellow man is non-literate - wholly depressing.

I try to hit the used book stores first. Talk about savings. But you're right - the discount section at B&N is wonderful. They offer complete works of Shakespeare and many other must read authors for twenty bucks. A steal.

[iconoclast]

Hamlet. Act IV Scene III

King. Now, Hamlet, where’s Polonius?
Ham. At supper.
King. At supper! Where?
Ham. Not where he eats, but where he is eaten. A certain convocation of politic worms are e’en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet. We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots. Your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but to one table; that’s the end.
King. Alas, alas!
Ham. A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and eat of the fish that hath fed of that worm.
King. What dost thou mean by this?
Ham. Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.
King. Where is Polonius?
Ham. In heaven; send thither to see. If your messenger find him not there, seek him i’ the other place yourself. But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby
King. Go seek him there. [To some Attendants.]
Ham. He will stay till ye come.

- gloriously funny, and only more so when you know that Hamlet is weeping inside for Polonius. Shakespeare was a genuis.

[Didymos Thomas]

What a great play. My only criticism was that his treatment of the fate of Rosencrantz/Gildenstern was a little confusing - at least not as clear as it could have been.

One of my favorites.