The Term Has Come to Mean Conservative and Traditional Art That Tends to Follow Stale Formulas
It might surprise y'all how people from two different cultures can have such different thinking and attitudes!
When visiting China (if coming from a Western country), it will aid you greatly to call up almost the differences between Eastern and Western thinking, in order to understand Chinese culture, and to avoid so much culture daze.
Thinking — Eastern (Chinese) vs. Western
| Idea | Eastern (Chinese) | Western |
|---|---|---|
| Where thinking happens | Internally | Externally |
| Perception | Holistic | Focused |
| Priority | Guild | The individual |
| Bad Behavior | Shame | Guilt |
| Goal | Harmony | Truth |
| Attitude | Accepting | Questioning |
| Processing | Circadian | Linear |
| Tendency | Repetition | Innovation |
The differences between Eastern and Western thought tin exist clearly seen in modernistic club, despite globalization and unifying influences.
The differences listed below are heavily stereotyped, generalized, and polarized. Not all Chinese (or Westerners) recollect this way, simply these are observed tendencies.
Aspect 1: Where Thinking Happens — Internally or Externally
Chinese people like to internalize, i.e. go on their thoughts to themselves. Westerners similar to externalize, i.e. share their thoughts.
Private space for Chinese people is in their heads; for Westerners it's in their homes (or wherever they tin can't be seen or heard).
Attribute ii: Perception — Holistic or Focused
People in the East tend to look at the whole picture and all the details, whereas people in the West concentrate on the master point or goal.
Aspect 3: Priority — Guild or the Private
In Mainland china , many people are prepared to do things for the good of order. They feel a strong sense of unity.
In the West , independence and freedom of choice are highly valued. Westerners experience a potent sense of individualism. They don't say "our" so much.
O or I People
"Eastern thought" can be represented past an 'O' (for "Our" or a ring of people linking easily). "Western thought" on the other mitt can be represented by an 'I' (for "Private" or 'the first person singular' or someone standing on their own).
Aspect four: Bad Behavior — Shame or Guilt
In China primary reaction to personal 'bad behavior' is shame, only only if social club judges the behavior as bad.
In the West the main reaction is guilt, and this is personally driven by the private, according to what he/she thinks is wrong.
In the East, harmony and conformity to lodge'southward ways (including rituals and face-saving) is preferred every bit a way of preserving order, while in the W legalism and pursuit of "the truth" are preferred.
Aspect 5: Goal — Harmony or Truth
Chinese have a strong system of respect. Much of this comes from the Confucian system of hierarchy. Harmony is considered more important than pointing out faults, so, when a mistake must be mentioned, great intendance is taken to avoid giving offense.
Westerners accept a strong sense of what is correct and incorrect, and want to know what the "truth" of a state of affairs is. While in the Due east respect is taken for granted, in the West respect is earned, and criticism is typically direct and unveiled.
In People's republic of china, beastward more than generous with respect and tactful with criticism.
Aspect vi: Attitude — Accepting or Questioning
In China people generally accept what potency figures say, and limited understanding (fifty-fifty if they don't agree). In the W people question even the highest authorization figures… all the time… and ofttimes quite openly.
Keep on questioning afterwards you arrive in Mainland china, but in many situations information technology may exist appropriate to keep your thoughts to yourself.
Aspect 7: Processing — Cyclic or Linear
For Chinese there is a recurring process of improvement (i.east. " things occur in cycles" ) with no definite stop goal that can exist reached.
Westerners focus on getting to the end goal using the about efficient method (i.e. "a straight line").
O or I Thinking
Once again it may help to remember of an 'O' representing a repetitive, cyclic, holistic, consistent arroyo, and an 'I' for directly, linear, focused innovative thinking, to show the sharp contrast between (stereotyped) Eastern and Western thought.
Attribute eight: Tendency — Consistency or Innovation
In the Eastward (China) there is an emphasis on consistency through formulas and repetition (eastward.g. the school system, exercises, politeness, rituals). In the West there is an emphasis on innovation and competition.
Thus People's republic of china has become "the factory of the earth" and the West has go "the world'southward driving force for progress and innovation".
Information technology takes all sorts of thinking to make the world get circular, and globalization is increasingly bringing both ends of the spectrum together.
The forces of capitalism are now driving competition and innovation in China, which often goes against the grain, and consistency is likewise a goal in the Due west, only more than difficult to reach there.
Read on for more on the influences that have shaped Eastern (Chinese) and Western thinking… and those that are challenging established thought patterns…
Influences on Thinking — Eastern (Chinese) vs. Western
| Influence | Eastern (Chinese) | Western |
|---|---|---|
| Geography | Isolated | Accessible |
| History | Chinese History | Western History |
| Philosophy | Confucianism | Rationalism |
| Faith (Beliefs) | Taoism, etc. | Christianity |
| Government | Communism | Commonwealth |
| Globalization | Commercialism | |
| Modern Society | Consumerism | |
In the past Eastern (Chinese) and Western cultures take had very different formative influences, leading to major differences in thinking.
(Other influences on thought may include language, climate, and genetics, but they are more than speculative.)
Basically at that place are iv ancient influences (geography, history, philosophy, and religion) and three modern influences (government, capitalism, and consumerism).
Aboriginal Influence 1: Geography
Differences in Eastern (Chinese) and Western thinking may stem from something as elementary as where people have lived.
While Red china is surrounded by huge mountain ranges, deserts, and ocean, Western (European) nations take been surrounded past relatively smaller geographical obstacles and more navigable seas.
Isolated, hostile geography may have contributed to insular thinking, and accessible geography may have promoted more than individual and externalized thinking.
Ancient Influence 2: History
A generalized summary: While Westerners were exploring the earth: fighting with, trading with, living with, and conquering other nations, while at the same time letting other nations across their borders; the Chinese were consumed with controlling things within their own borders, minding their ain concern, developing their ain culture, and keeping others out.
Basically Westerners seem always to have been individualistic externalists, whereas the Chinese seem always to have been lodge-favoring internalists.
Actions have reinforced thought patterns, and established thought has led to more of the same deportment, in a craven-and-egg scenario lasting millennia.
Ancient Influence 3: Philosophy
The founders of the contrasting philosophies of Confucianism and Rationalism all lived around 500 BC, merely in quite different environments, as discussed to a higher place.
Confucianism and Chinese Thought
"Pb the people with administrative injunctions and put them in their identify with penal law, and they will avoid punishments but will be without a sense of shame. Lead them with excellence and put them in their place through roles and ritual practices, and in addition to developing a sense of shame, they will order themselves harmoniously." (Analects of Confucius Ii, 3)
Chinese philosophy (Confucianism) tin can be summarized as:
- "I think (of roles and rituals, excellence and shame),
therefore I am (a harmonious member of society)."
Rationalism and Western Idea
Socrates and Plato, the founders of rationalism, taught private understanding, through rational deductive thought, as the basis for comprehending the world. They as well taught segregated thinking, in terms of the body and soul, individual and club, etc.
Descartes, "the father of mod Western philosophy", was besides a rationalist, famous for his statement "Cognito ergo sum" — "I recollect, therefore I am".
Western philosophy can be summarized as follows:
- "I think (rationally and deductively),
therefore I am (a gratuitous and living individual soul)."
Aboriginal Influence 4: Religion (Beliefs)
Temple
Although all the religions/beliefs covered below have Eastern roots, Christianity (especially Protestantism) has developed according to and reinforced "Western thinking", whereas Taoism, Buddhism, and ancestor veneration dovetail with "Eastern thinking".
In Mainland china: Taoism, Buddhism, and Ancestor Veneration
Taoism developed in Communist china from the quaternary century BC with principles of harmony and cyclic repetitious processes. It promotes holistic and accepting thought and behavior, and claims no absolute truth.
Buddhism arrived in China in the outset century AD, with like principles to Taoism. Since and then Buddhist rites and principles of rebirth, harmony, and repetition, and accept influenced Chinese idea and civilisation.
There are non many practicing Taoists or Buddhists in China today, but there are very many ancestor venerators.
Some people believe their departed ancestors demand to be provided for by descendants. Others believe that ancestors non are even aware of what their descendants do for them, but the expression of filial piety is notwithstanding important. In any case this antecedent veneration has once more influenced thought in the direction of repetition, social club, and shame.
In the Westward: (Protestant) Christianity
Christianity has been the prevalent worldview in the Westward (Europe) since about 300 AD. It tin can be said that generally the West has a Christian moral framework.
A Christian worldview includes a belief in absolute truth: one God created us all and has standards that use to all people, and guilt is experienced if God'south standards are not met.
Though Christianity teaches love for all people, unity, and an acceptance of God's word, its (Protestant) estimation in the West tends to back up individual, focused, linear progress ("innovation") towards a heavenly goal, and a questioning attitude in the pursuit of truth.
(See the Chinese estimation of Christianity on Christianity in China.)
Modern Influence 1: Regime
The Chinese government emblem and 为人民服务 — 'serving the people'
Until recent centuries, Eastern and Western nations were all governed past a single ruler (and this tended to promote "Eastern thought").
All the same, when China departed from accented monarchy it went the route of single-party republicanism and communism, whereas the W has adopted democracy.
Chinese Thought and Communism
Communism fits the Eastern (Chinese) thought tenets outlined above, with its emphasis on lodge, common buying and production, and egalitarian conformity, encouraging cyclic repetition, and holistic, accepting, internalized thought.
While Communism is not practiced in China today, its influence lingers in education and potent ane-party government control of commerce and the populace.
Western Thought and Commonwealth
Democracy, in its externalized focus on the private, transparency (the truth volition out), and questioning of government, can exist seen to encourage "Western thought" even more than Communism and unmarried-party authorities encourages "Eastern thought".
Modern Influences 2 and 3: Capitalism and Consumerism
While the mod influences of commercialism and consumerism are shared the world over, established thought processes in China and the West take produced differing responses and tensions in modern society.
Capitalism in the Context of Eastern vs Western Thought
Different goals: Capitalism means that everyone is out to earn more, but in China wealth is (more) happily or customarily shared within the (extended) family unit and nation, whereas in the Westward wealth is (more) focused towards individual and individual advancement.
Consumerism in the Context of Eastern vs Western Idea
Dissimilar motives: Consumerism means that east.1000. "everyone must have a automobile to experience good". Nonetheless, in Prc people buy cars to fit in, whereas in the West people buy cars to stand out! More often than not, Chinese motives are society-driven, and Western motives are individual-driven.
Different beliefs: In Cathay, for example, people drive cars in the mode (local) guild deems okay, with no guilt regarding the law. In the West people drive cars in the fashion the police force and the individual deem equally right, with no shame from what observers might think. More on Traffic in Communist china>>>
Dissimilar conflicts: In People's republic of china, the selfishness of consumerism conflicts with an inbuilt regard for family and order. In the West, the indulgence of consumerism goes against the moral and rational virtues of simplicity and prudence, humility and frugality.
Determination: Both "Eastern" and "Western" Thought Are Good
You may still be thinking that your own way of thinking (i.due east. Western thinking) is best. But, hopefully through this commodity, y'all tin understand how and why Chinese idea has developed and can appreciate some of its benefits.
Thinking About Visiting Communist china?
You can really have fun in China when your guide understands your mode of thinking.
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Source: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/article-chinese-and-western-thought.htm
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