Many of the philosophical ideas that underpin EA are also very close to those found in some “Eastern/Asian” traditions, including Mohism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Just want to point out that all of these schools of thought are minorities (maybe even unpopular) in their original countries. It seems to me that the stories of these schools of thoughts with similarities to EA ideas having a hard time in their original countries might be evidence supporting, rather than against, the notion that “the East” (I do have troubles with the use of the “East/West divide after discussing with some) doesn’t take EA ideas well.
There’s a nuance though, Buddhism, despite being not very successful in India, is a huge success in China. But my understanding is that, very naively speaking and oversimplifying, Buddhism had to lose a lot of ideas that we recognize as “EA-similar” in order to become successful in China. One of the ideas is “caring about actually doing good rather than just wanting to do good”. And maybe it isn’t only lost, but flipped. In China and Taiwan, from my observation, Buddhists’ most common attitude to altruism is “if your intention is good then it’s good, the consequence doesn’t matter”.
Yes, I probably should have mentioned Hinduism too, because that is after all what explains the prevalence of vegetarianism in India.
I do again agree that the East doesn’t take EA ideas well. But neither, unfortunately, does the West, despite being much wealthier and better educated on average. Even people within the existing community find it difficult to commit to impartiality.
Agreed. I’m reminded of when I was writing my undergraduate thesis and researching the practice of Buddhists releasing captured animals in order to generate good karma, which (at least among these Thai/Dai Buddhists) involved a vibrant market for capturing the animals. That is the story that spring to my mind regarding the “Buddhism tends to be more focused on individual karma than on good for all” narrative.
Just want to point out that all of these schools of thought are minorities (maybe even unpopular) in their original countries. It seems to me that the stories of these schools of thoughts with similarities to EA ideas having a hard time in their original countries might be evidence supporting, rather than against, the notion that “the East” (I do have troubles with the use of the “East/West divide after discussing with some) doesn’t take EA ideas well.
There’s a nuance though, Buddhism, despite being not very successful in India, is a huge success in China. But my understanding is that, very naively speaking and oversimplifying, Buddhism had to lose a lot of ideas that we recognize as “EA-similar” in order to become successful in China. One of the ideas is “caring about actually doing good rather than just wanting to do good”. And maybe it isn’t only lost, but flipped. In China and Taiwan, from my observation, Buddhists’ most common attitude to altruism is “if your intention is good then it’s good, the consequence doesn’t matter”.
Yes, I probably should have mentioned Hinduism too, because that is after all what explains the prevalence of vegetarianism in India.
I do again agree that the East doesn’t take EA ideas well. But neither, unfortunately, does the West, despite being much wealthier and better educated on average. Even people within the existing community find it difficult to commit to impartiality.
Agreed. I’m reminded of when I was writing my undergraduate thesis and researching the practice of Buddhists releasing captured animals in order to generate good karma, which (at least among these Thai/Dai Buddhists) involved a vibrant market for capturing the animals. That is the story that spring to my mind regarding the “Buddhism tends to be more focused on individual karma than on good for all” narrative.