What can we learn from Eastern philosophy?

The Big Questions1 week ago

Today, the distance between East and West is shorter than it has ever been. We have easy access to all kinds of Eastern cultures. Online, we watch Japanese anime, Korean dramas, and Indian Bollywood movies. Traveling through Asia has also become incredibly popular.

But since the god of Wi-Fi wasn’t a thing in Ancient Greece, Plato couldn’t just log into Socrates’ Netflix account to watch the great Eastern philosophers shape their side of the world. And so, these philosophical worlds were separated—not just by geography, but by a lack of knowledge about each other’s existence.

I imagine most of you won’t be shocked by the fact that overthinking everyday life wasn’t exclusive to Western civilization—it’s just part of the broader human experience. Still, I feel like a lot of us (myself included) don’t know much about Eastern philosophy. So, let’s change that. Let’s see what helpful insights we can find by looking at three of the most important Eastern philosophers in history. Who were they? What can they teach us?

Confucius

A Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political thinker who lived around 500 BCE. Confucius basically was the Socrates of the East—just with fewer sandals and more emphasis on family dinners. Born in a time of political chaos, Confucius believed that moral values and good relationships were the secret sauce to a better society. His teachings were later compiled into the Analects by his followers and became the foundation of Confucianism, which would go on to shape Chinese culture for centuries.

Confucius was all about harmony, hierarchy, and being a decent human being. He stressed the importance of respect—respect for your parents, for your community, and for tradition. But don’t mistake that for blind obedience. For Confucius, a virtuous person (or junzi, the noble one) should also challenge injustice and strive for moral improvement. If you’ve ever felt like you’re navigating life without a manual, Confucius would suggest one made of rituals, empathy, and just being a better version of yourself each day.

"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."

Confucius

Laozi

The mythical—or at least very mysterious—founder of Taoism. He’s said to have written the Tao Te Ching, a short but mind-bending book that’s like the chill cousin of the Bible. Laozi probably lived in the 6th century BCE, though some think he may never have existed at all. Either way, his ideas echo through time like a monk chanting in a cave (a very peaceful cave).

Where Confucius wanted to organize society, Laozi just wanted everyone to relax. He believed in wu wei—a kind of effortless action that goes with the flow of the universe rather than against it. Laozi would tell you to stop forcing things, start observing, and trust the natural order of life. He’s the guy you’d want to talk to after a long day of doom-scrolling, reminding you that not everything needs to be fixed or figured out right now.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

Laozi

Nagarjuna

An Indian Buddhist philosopher who lived around the 2nd century CE. If Confucius was about structure and Laozi about flow, Nāgārjuna was about dismantling everything—especially your assumptions. He founded the Madhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism and introduced the concept of śūnyatā, or emptiness. Not in a depressing way, but in the sense that all things lack inherent, independent existence. (Yes, including your opinions.)

Nāgārjuna teaches us to question the very foundations of how we think and perceive the world. He would probably smile mysteriously if you asked him whether something was real or not—and then ask you to prove the question makes sense in the first place. His version of wisdom isn’t about having the right answers but about realizing how often we mistake labels for reality. It’s philosophy for the overthinkers who want to stop overthinking.

"Things derive their being and nature by mutual dependence and are nothing in themselves."

Nāgārjuna

So, what can we learn from Eastern philosophy? First off: a lot. Where Western philosophy often leans on debate, logic, and shouting in togas, these Eastern thinkers remind us of other approaches to the good life—rooted in balance, humility, and the understanding that sometimes the best action is no action at all.

Confucius teaches us to be better through structure and care. Laozi invites us to loosen our grip and flow with life. Nāgārjuna? He shows us that letting go of fixed ideas might be the most freeing thing we can do.

And maybe that’s the biggest takeaway: philosophy doesn’t have to be about having the answers. Sometimes, it’s about asking better questions—or knowing when to let the questions go entirely.

Stay curious. Or don’t. Laozi would probably approve either way.