spirit of chinese philosophy

In the Chinese civilization, Philosophy is similar to that religion of other civilizations. It is also the first to be learned in order to be an educated man. As such, Philosophy’s significance delves within the individual. Philosophy is one that elevates the mind. In Philosophy, the Chinese people quench their thirst of wanting to see and experience what is greater than this world. It is a way that one seeks and do try to achieve what is beyond this actual existence. This reaching out consists of being more than a believer of what is here to be seen but also what is unseen. And along with this, Philosophy is also seeking for values and higher morals.

The Chinese Philosophy consists of a ‘this-worldly’ and ‘other-worldly’. They are contrasting ideas that describes Philosophy as both of this world – a realistic kind of Philosophy-- and of the other world – an idealistic kind of Philosophy. The dilemma now lies in synthesizing these ideas and how it should be made into one.

Chinese Philosophical works are not as wordy as that of the western Philosophical works. Chinese Philosophers used aphorisms, allusions and illustrations which makes their writings less clear as the writings of Western Philosophers. This makes their works difficult to understand because one is challenged to interpret and sometimes they look disconnected. However, this style makes their work more thought provoking and rich suggestive. The point of this style of expression is that words are needless and what matters is the main idea behind a brief sentence or phrase. This style also connects to the Chinese belief of Taoism wherein the Tao is not said but implied or suggested.