The comparison between Daoism and Confucianism is essential for understanding Chinese philosophy. Both systems have their unique views and continue to influence cultural and spiritual life in China today. Despite their differences, they also share some similarities. What is Daoism and what are its origins? Daoism, often associated with the legendary sage Laozi...
Have you ever wondered about the power of habits and how they shape our lives? From the way we start our day to the way we work, habits influence every aspect of our existence. Many of us strive to develop better habits, but often find it difficult....
"Hedonistic" is one of those words that is used relatively often, but rarely understood correctly. So let's change that. For the first few years of my philosophical journey, I didn't really engage with hedonism. But when I did, I realized that it is important for the general understanding of philosophy. This...
It can be very frustrating to have a discussion with someone who, contrary to the obvious facts, will not budge from their position. However, it is quite possible that the other person is actually not really in a position to do this or at least consider it. It could be that our counterpart is being influenced by a psychological phenomenon...
Alan Watts, a major interpreter of Eastern philosophies for a Western audience, spoke about the principle of relativity as embodied in Daoism and the traditional Chinese view of the nature of things. This concept illuminates the multiple perspectives that exist in viewing the world and its phenomena. You can find the talk on...
Most of us would say that we have our emotions under control. But is that true? If you now compare yourself mentally with choleric people who throw a tantrum at every little thing and overwhelm those around them with aggression and verbal, but possibly also physical injuries, you will easily come to the conclusion: It's true. After all, you yourself are...
Even though Kant was not a representative of the Christian religion, he saw that the moral guidelines provided by this religion were essential for a good life and a healthy mind. But these maxims are not unique to Christianity. Every great religion comes with something similar to a handbook. Whether the Bible,...
This little head belongs to a squirrel that I met in the forest today and with which I engaged in a playful eye duel for three or four minutes. It was one of those moments in the forest that showed me why I come here regularly. Hardly any other place is so suitable and so predestined to bring you into the...
In a wood-paneled room that was probably a study, an old man sat on a chair in front of several stacks of books. Dressed in a tweed suit typical of the time, he narrowed his eyes briefly and put on his glasses before he began to read aloud. This man was not only a respected linguist and literary scholar, he was also a...
"The only immediately credible reality is the reality of consciousness." reNÉ Descartes Can we trust reality? Is it credible? That it exists is not at all certain and has already been dealt with in a number of films and books. The only thing we can be sure of - as we learned from the quote above - is that...
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