Old Eastern Culture vs. Old Western Culture

Attribute	Old Eastern Culture	Old Western Culture
Religion	Varied, including Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism	Primarily Christianity
Language	Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc.	Latin, Greek, etc.
Philosophy	Confucianism, Taoism	Aristotelianism, Platonism
Art	Calligraphy, ink painting, ceramics	Renaissance art, Baroque art
Government	Imperial dynasties, feudal systems	Monarchies, republics

Religion and Philosophy

Old Eastern Culture, particularly in countries like China and India, was heavily influenced by religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. These belief systems emphasized concepts like karma, dharma, and the importance of achieving enlightenment. In contrast, Old Western Culture was dominated by Christianity, with its focus on salvation, sin, and the afterlife. Western philosophy, on the other hand, was shaped by the works of thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates, who explored concepts such as ethics, metaphysics, and epistemology.

Art and Literature

Old Eastern Culture produced exquisite works of art and literature, with a focus on intricate details, symbolism, and spirituality. Chinese calligraphy, Japanese woodblock prints, and Indian epics like the Mahabharata are just a few examples of the rich artistic traditions of the East. In comparison, Old Western Culture gave rise to masterpieces like the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci, the plays of William Shakespeare, and the sculptures of Michelangelo. Western art and literature often reflected themes of individualism, humanism, and the exploration of the natural world.

Social Structure and Values

In Old Eastern Culture, social hierarchy and respect for authority were paramount. Confucian values of filial piety, loyalty, and harmony within the family and society were deeply ingrained in Eastern societies. In contrast, Old Western Culture placed a greater emphasis on individual rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The concept of the social contract, as articulated by thinkers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, played a significant role in shaping Western values and institutions.

Education and Scholarship

Old Eastern Culture valued education as a means of self-improvement and social mobility. The civil service examinations in China, for example, were a rigorous system for selecting government officials based on merit rather than birth. In the West, the rise of universities and the spread of literacy during the Renaissance paved the way for the development of modern science, philosophy, and literature. Western scholars like Galileo, Newton, and Descartes made groundbreaking discoveries that revolutionized our understanding of the natural world.

Technology and Innovation

Old Eastern Culture was known for its advancements in fields like agriculture, medicine, and engineering. The invention of paper, the compass, and gunpowder in China, for example, had a profound impact on the course of human history. In contrast, Old Western Culture excelled in areas like navigation, exploration, and industrialization. The Age of Discovery, the Industrial Revolution, and the Scientific Revolution were all periods of rapid technological innovation and societal change in the West.