140 replies to this topic

[Elisha]

Let me start with Singapore. Singapore Law was derived from British Basic Law.

Just a matter of terminology. It's called "common law", not "basic law"

Singapore law was mostly derived from British common law and statutes imported by virtue of the Second Charter of Justice, 1826.

(eg. Singapore's penal codes (criminal) are based on the Indian Penal Code (1860) - arguably, also indirectly influenced by English laws then but there are also major differences)

[urofpersia]

By and large this is no longer true, although there are plenty of exceptions. Over the past couple of centuries religion has been on a serious decline in the West. God isn't terribly important to many Westerners in their daily life. They may say that they believe in Him when asked about religion, but that doesn't mean He plays an important part in their lives. Science and capitalism are far more influential today.

As a general trend considering the 'West' I think its true however if we are to consider the US alone the 20th Century has seen a strong revival of Christianity in various forms. And it is having a significant social impact (among others), note the debate and legislation on Theory of Evolution/Creationism, Anti-abortionists, Stem cell research etc. Where once I think Time magazine infamously predicted the 'death' of religion, recent polls indicate Americans are more religious (in every sense of the word) today than some decades ago.

My whole point is this blanket belief that western law has been so perfect and equal for centuries is just bullshit.

Hmm, did someone say so? I think only ignorant folks would think this of the West.

Edited by urofpersia, 16 April 2006 - 01:10 PM.

[Liang Jieming]

Just a matter of terminology. It's called "common law", not "basic law"

Singapore law was mostly derived from British common law and statutes imported by virtue of the Second Charter of Justice, 1826.

(eg. Singapore's penal codes (criminal) are based on the Indian Penal Code (1860) - arguably, also indirectly influenced by English laws then but there are also major differences)

Ah yes, thanks for the correction. You're quite right. Common Law it is.

[jwrevak]

My, you are quick to censor.

I am quick to offer facts and observations in an attempt to set the record straight. Censoring has nothing to do with it.

This is hardly nonsense as a quick check of gender laws will show. My mistake was not being more specific.

I rest my case.

I was talking about British Basic Law with regards to Women's dependant Status. I'll do some research on US laws and check.

I look forward to the fruits of your labor.

My whole point is this blanket belief that western law has been so perfect and equal for centuries is just bullshit.

I wonder, what reasonably informed individual has said that Western law has been perfect for centuries? Anyone know? What did he/she say? Please be specific.

[lanjingling]

Another difference i just thought of : the "convenient noodles" (fangbian mian) are called "instant noodles" in english . I think this show that very often the Westerners prefer to provide an "objective " point of view , while the Chinese tend to describe the relations between things.

[MC420]

Hi Folks:

With regarding to similarities and differences between Chinese & Western Culture, I would put it as differences from East Asian Culture (East Asian <-- refer to the Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Vietnamese people who sharing the Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism as the foundation of their value culture) in comparing to the Western Culture which is based on the Judae-Christian value system.

In this particular topic, it would be easier if we separate the value culture from the expressive culture <-- which is focussed primarily on our superficial differences of the language, physical appearances, foods, clothings, etc.

Following is a Table to compare the value based system of East Asia vs Western Culture:

Eastern Value .................................Western Value

• Live in time.............................................• Live in space
• Value rest ..............................................• Value activity
• Passive ..................................................• Assertive
• Contemplative........................................ • Diligent
• Accept what is..........................................• Seek change
• Live in nature...........................................• Live with nature
• Want to know meaning..............................•Want to know how it works
• Freedom of silence....................................• Freedom of speech
• Lapse into meditation.................................• Strive for articulation
• Marry first, then love.................................• Love first, then marry
• Love is mute.............................................• Love is vocal
• Focus on self-abnegation ...........................• Focus on self-assuredness
• Learn to do with less................................. • Attempt to get some more
• Ideal - love of life..................................... • Ideal - being successful
• Honor austerity.........................................• Honor achievement
• Wealth & Poverty - results of fortune...........• Wealth/Poverty - results of enterprise
• Cherish wisdom of years............................• Cherish vitality of youth
• Retire to enjoy the rewards of your work.... • Retire to enjoy the gift of your family

Well, these are considered to be classic differences; however due to our modern age of internet, Hollywood entertainments, and the mobilization of different people from diversed cultural groups, the gap and differences among people are more and more lesser as well as shorter to few likings yet!

[ChiangAP]

Following is a Table to compare the value based system of East Asia vs Western Culture:

Interesting! Did you concoct these tables yourself (they make sense) or did you get it from some source?

[MengTzu]

• Live in time.............................................• Live in space

Depends. I can see a construct where it would be the opposite. What exactly do you mean here?

[Non-Han Nan Ban]

How is western civilization better in this case?

Don't forget, woman in America didn't have the right to vote just 50 years ago.

Yeah, I'll admit women (and minorities other than white) have had it bad in America, but it wasn't 50 years ago dude. Women were allowed to vote as of 1920. By my calculation that is some 80 years ago. lol. just thought i'd clear that up. Still, that's not a good thing that it took that long for legislature to be passed to allow women's suffrage.

[Non-Han Nan Ban]

I can see pros and cons on both the East (largely speaking of Chinese influence) and West (largely European and US influence) side to cultural ideals that shape people's lives, day to day, generation to generation, and how both can help and compliment each other. One must consider that both cultures we see now in the present form are ones that have evolved from thousands of years upon the precedents of other cultures and societies past. For a great deal of time, since seafaring Europeans first started trade networks with the late Ming Dynasty and Sengoku/Tokugawa era Japanese, both West and East cultures have had a great deal of influence on one another, and it is not all West upon East as many would suggest (although it would appear that the West was always more influential and prevalent). In terms of cultural values and customs, the West does seem more adventurous, although this is not always the case from times past (adventurous people like Zheng He, for example) and present. One must consider that every now and then people also break these social norms, and sometimes Easterners will emulate or copy western designs and ideals, yet this is not always the case. So from how I see it, both cultures use selective picking and choosing from one another from what they feel is the best parts of the opposite culture that could benefit them. This is positive, and I like the fact that a forum like this is available for people to discuss how both worlds have converged, and although there is some conflict with this amongst both sides, in the end people come together and resolve issues. It's in our nature. Or we could just end up annihilating each other in a doomsday scenario, but hopefully that's not a very likely scenario in our lifetimes.

Peace from East to West,
Eric

[lanjingling]

In terms of cultural values and customs, the West does seem more adventurous, although this is not always the case from times past (adventurous people like Zheng He, for example) and present.

On a State level, definitely the West apears more willingly to "live dangerously" , but on an individual level, for centuries , milions of Chinese have emigrated in all S.E. Asia, looking for "greener pastures".

[yarovit]

About you call "lack of respect for the elders". You exaggerate a bit, but to some extent you are right. We do not see the ways of our parents or ancestors as perfect. We see flaws in them and try not to repeat their mistakes. Their behavior was bad, their laws had loopholes, their machines and inventions were primitive and ineffective. They were wrong on such many issues etc. This is related to West's pursue for new things and innovations. You can't have innovations if you look to the past for inspiration.


P.S. Sorry for writing in such old thread.

[New Lord Shang]

What are the major differences between chinese and western culture?

I'll list down a few differences:

West:

1. Western culture is based on individualism rather than on mass (collectivism). For instance, in the US, you always talk about individual rights, instead of placing the whole society above your own self. This is clearly different in China where a country, society or family are placed above your own self.

2. Western culture is adventurous and exploration based. Westerners like to discover new things, invention and expand outwards. For instance, bungee jumping is considered adventurous and common in western culture, but you will probably find no-one doing such a thing in China.

3. Western culture is based on science, which attempts to resolve people and nature's relationship.

4. West uses law to resolve people and people's relationship. You can never find 'law' well-established in China. For 2000 years, China is a land that's based on human relationship rather than law.

5. West uses 'god' and religion to resolve human and spiritualism relationship. In case of problems with your own self, you just pray to god.

6. A culture that expands and develop outwards.
Chinese Culture:

1. A culture based on masses (collectivism). People placed country and family above your own self.

2. A culture that is based on humanism and people

3. To resolve the relationship betwen man and nature, the chinese attempts to fuse the human and 'heaven' as one. (天人和一)

4. To resolve people and people's relationship, chinese uses ethics and tolerance (中恕之道)

5. To resolve human and spiritualism, chinese emphasizes internal cultivation (修身养性)

6. A focus on balance and mean. By 'mean', it means 'middle way'. You don't go into extremism. Peace is always honoured.

7. Pay homage to heaven and earth, as well as bearing a remembrance to the homeland. (敬仰天地,思乡怀土) This was accorded to the fact that chinese had been a farming civilization and therefore will be more prone to remember their land.

8. A culture that expands internally rather than outwards.
Some of the disadvantage of old chinese culture:

1. Debase women and chauvanistic

2. An over-emphasis on past history instead of present (lacks pragmatism)
Can you list some more differences? Any comments and contributions are appreciated.

Differences between East (essentiall China) and West, ... this is a topic that has been discussed in countless books and analyzed by countless historians, anthropologists, and other accredited individuals and institutions.

But what is the essence of this difference between East and West ?? Your list is extensive and descriptive but I would boil it down some more say that essentially the difference between East and West comes down to the difference between 'Inner' and 'Outer' ... this 'Inner/Outer' principle can be applied to the very outlook of both civilizations. What in the world do I mean by this principle ??

Well, take religion for instance. Chinese civlization has been characterized as being 'atheistic' because it has always looked 'in', i.e. Ancestor Worship as evidenced by the Shang oracle bones, we prayed to and asked advice from our ancestors, not to some group of gods or God. As opposed to Western civilization which as always looked 'out', always seeking to placate the gods or God by building temples and churches, creating entire classes of officials called priests, brahmins, prophets. And in times of civilizational crisis, the West inherited from Israel the notion of 'The Savior' or 'Deliverer' or 'Great Man' ... someone sent by God to come and sweep away the enemy, fix all your problems and usher in everlasting peace and prosperity. This is in contrast to our way in China, which does not seek someone sent from 'the outside', someone extraordinary, someone chosen by the gods or God, ... rather we had the necessary individuals 'within' ourselves, no need for someone born of a virgin, no need for someone blessed and anointed ... during the Great Flood, Noah and his family were ordered to build a great ark, China in contrast produced a dedicated haudralic engineer named Yu who organized the people into labor gangs that dug canals. During the Trojan War, the gods were integral in the affairs of the 10 year siege, wherears during the war between the Shang and Zhou, the efforts of loyal officials and defectors were integral in the overthrow of that tyranny. When the Romans overran the Holy Land, the Jews prayed for a Messiah, when China was overrun by the Mongols in the 13th century and the Manchus in the 17th century, we Chinese prayed for the Restoration of Song and Ming ...

So, does this account for the 'adventurous' nature of the West as proposed by some posts, the fact that Westerners are always looking 'outside' for something ... whereas we Chinese possessed an 'inner' resolve ?? ...

[nee]

I'd say that the West's concept of teamwork usually is emphasize for the sake of personal achievement (that is, you are part of a team so you will gain the benefits of such; the teamwork and team-oriented rewards are more of a plus). The opposite would go for the East; Teamwork is emphasized for the sake of everyone else, where your own personal benefits are ultimately second priority, though quite a plus). This is, of course, a generalization, as there are Westerners that love teamwork and the "other" more than what they'd get for themselves out of it, and I've known many people born and raised in Eastern cultures that are totally selfish and are part of a team simply to gain personal benefit.

It's too broad to say East vs. West as they are generalizations and there's too many exceptions to it. I know a lot of Asians whose goals are totally self-centred and crave absolutely nothing but the principles of Swine philosophy (sex, pleasure, money, other carnal desires) and adhere to the Eastern "style" simply because they have to, while I know some very sincerely humble Westerners, despite all the materialistic and earthly things they want and have, ultimately treasure community, teamwork, and the spiritual.

In terms of society's particular worldviews in general, though, I'd agree that the West favours individualism and the East favours collective work. Western society has evolved (or devolved) into humanist, secular worldview via science, the Enlightenment, the advent of reason, human rights and so on, while the East didn't experience such things and thus remain in the "traditional" concept of respect for elders, the past, and the unknown. I'd also say the atmosphere of Western culture is no-restraint (liberty) while Eastern culture is the "respect everything, including the status quo" vibe

[MC420]

Regarding our comparison of Eastern Culture vs Western Culture it's merely the concept of East Asian's tradtional value culture which is based on the foundation of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism whereas it's been practiced predominantly in countries such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam while Western Culture which is basically based on the Judae-Christian value culture. Despite of our differences we're actually much closer and share more similarities as common human beings than our superficial appearances indicated. Therefore ... respect, sincerity, compassion, and kindness ... would always rule above all!