---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Asian philosophy and culture never…"
description: "\"“Asian philosophy and culture never endured an intellectual upheaval like the Cartesian split of mind and body that brought the so-called Enlightenment..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png"
---

#  Asian philosophy and culture never endured an intellectual…

![“Asian philosophy and culture never endured an intellectual upheaval like the Cartesian split of mind and body that brought the so-called Enlightenment to the West. The consequent achievements of scientific method and the less fortunate by-products of secular self-interest together laid the…” quote by Polly Young-Eisendrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png)

> ““Asian philosophy and culture never endured an intellectual upheaval like the Cartesian split of mind and body that brought the so-called Enlightenment to the West. The consequent achievements of scientific method and the less fortunate by-products of secular self-interest together laid the groundwork, in Europe and America, for the personal psychology of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.””

[Polly Young-Eisendrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-young-eisendrath/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The passage argues that the Cartesian mind‑body split sparked Western Enlightenment, influencing scientific methods and later psycho‑analytic practices, while Eastern thought remained more integrated.

**In simple terms:** Western split led to science and therapy; Eastern thought stayed unified.

Key Takeaway

Recognize cultural impacts on mental health frameworks.

Themes

philosophy science psychology culture

Mood

analytical informative thought‑provoking

Type

academic philosophical

When to use this quote

- academic lecture
- cross‑cultural study
- clinical practice

Key Concepts

mind‑body dualism integrated worldview secularism

Questions to Reflect On

- How does mind‑body dualism affect modern therapy?
- Can integrating Eastern and Western views improve mental health?

A Different Perspective

Western dualism can overlook holistic health; Eastern integration may lack empirical rigor.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Asian Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian-philosophy-1196430/) [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Called Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-enlightenment-332598/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Enlightenment West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment-west-3858309/) [Less fortunate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/less-fortunate/) [Mind and body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-and-body/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Philosophy Culture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-culture-1351589/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Scientific method](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scientific-method/) [Zen buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zen-buddhism/)

## Related quotes

> [I have not in this lifetime yet met one person who earnestly seeks enlightenment in the West. Not one person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-have-not-in-this-lifetime-yet-met-one-person-who-earnestly-seeks/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [So 'The Last Airbender' 's philosophy and culture feels like a beautiful idea to me: That we inherently have connections to the elements and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-night-shyamalan/so-the-last-airbender-s-philosophy-and-culture-feels-like-a-beautiful/)

[M. Night Shyamalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-night-shyamalan/)

> [I need to talk about Chinese culture. We have deep, strong philosophy and culture. I want to share some information, tell the worldwide audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jet-li/i-need-to-talk-about-chinese-culture-we-have-deep-strong-philosophy/)

[Jet Li](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jet-li/)

> [“This is the inevitable disadvantage of studying Asian philosophy by the purely literary methods of Western scholarship, for words can be communicative only between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-wilson-watts/this-is-the-inevitable-disadvantage-of-studying-asian-philosophy-by/)

[Alan Wilson Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-wilson-watts/)

> [I majored in Chinese. I was never really good at Chinese but I really, really benefited from having been exposed to Asian philosophy early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/i-majored-in-chinese-i-was-never-really-good-at-chinese-but-i-really/)

[Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/)

> [“To cut a long story short, thus far the contribution of logical philosophy to metaphysics has been entirely negative. The verdict seems to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-watts/to-cut-a-long-story-short-thus-far-the-contribution-of-logical/)

[Alan W. Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-w-watts/)

> [Do no harmful actions, do not become attached to the cycle of death and rebirth, show kindness, respect the old and have compassion for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/do-no-harmful-actions-do-not-become-attached-to-the-cycle-of-death/)

[Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/)

> [That the self advances and confirms the ten thousand things is called delusion; that the ten thousand things advance and confirm the self is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/that-the-self-advances-and-confirms-the-ten-thousand-things-is-called/)

[Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/)

> [When we recognize that the seemingly object nature of reality is nothing different than the subject nature of mind, which is rigpa, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/when-we-recognize-that-the-seemingly-object-nature-of-reality-is/)

[Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/)

> [This is a world that defines everything backwards, a world in which good is called bad, brightness is called darkness, up is called down,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/this-is-a-world-that-defines-everything-backwards-a-world-in-which/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [It is called enlightenment, nirvana, God, truth, call it what you will. There is no activity other than the eternal activities of the universe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/it-is-called-enlightenment-nirvana-god-truth-call-it-what-you-will/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [From a mind filled with infinite love comes the power to create infinite possibilities. We have the power to think in ways that reflect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/from-a-mind-filled-with-infinite-love-comes-the-power-to-create/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [“When we resist change, it’s called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-resist-change-it-s-called-suffering-but-when-we-can/)

[Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/)

> [“Once humanity discovers what's behind the mirror of all the ruling class of governments and religions there will be a new beginning of justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charleston-parker/once-humanity-discovers-what-s-behind-the-mirror-of-all-the-ruling/)

[Charleston Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charleston-parker/)

> [Seeing the small is called Clarity. Keeping flexible is called Strength. Using the shining Radiance, You enter the Light, Where no harm can come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/seeing-the-small-is-called-clarity-keeping-flexible-is-called/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## More by Polly Young-Eisendrath

> [“Help your children to see and notice poverty and differences in privilege that seem inhumane and unfair. Do this in a way that does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/help-your-children-to-see-and-notice-poverty-and-differences-in/)

[Polly Young-Eisendrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-young-eisendrath/)

> [What does it mean to feel "in control" of your life? What I mean by control is the ability to make a choice. Personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/what-does-it-mean-to-feel-in-control-of-your-life-what-i-mean-by/)

[Polly Young-Eisendrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-young-eisendrath/)

> [Metaphor is our mental root of imagination and language. Arnold Kozak offers fertile metaphors for growing your knowledge of the Buddhadharma. If you contemplate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/metaphor-is-our-mental-root-of-imagination-and-language-arnold-kozak/)

[Polly Young-Eisendrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-young-eisendrath/)

[Explore all 4 Polly Young-Eisendrath quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-young-eisendrath/)

## More Buddhism quotes

> [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Enlightenment is lightening up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/enlightenment-is-lightening-up/)

[Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/)

> [The very best players, when they are practicing, put everything they've got into it. But then they leave it for a while. And it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/the-very-best-players-when-they-are-practicing-put-everything-they-ve/)

[Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/)

> [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [I think the most miraculous thing is learning. I get out of the way and let the students learn. Then you get to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-the-most-miraculous-thing-is-learning-i-get-out-of-the-way/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/)

[Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/)

> [A human being can only absorb a small amount of the mystical kundalini, you can be exposed again and again to it, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-human-being-can-only-absorb-a-small-amount-of-the-mystical/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/)

[Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/)

> [My mom and my aunties are really devout Christians. My mom married a Muslim when I was 12, so I got teachings from both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tech-n9ne/my-mom-and-my-aunties-are-really-devout-christians-my-mom-married-a/)

[Tech N9ne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tech-n9ne/)

> [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [“The extraction of discrete parts of Chöd teachings from their broader philosophical contexts is symptomatic of how Chöd has been incorporated into and transmitted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-sorensen/the-extraction-of-discrete-parts-of-ch-d-teachings-from-their-broader/)

[Michelle Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-sorensen/)

> [Buddhism advises you not to implant feelings that you don’t really have or avoid feelings that you do have. If you are miserable you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/buddhism-advises-you-not-to-implant-feelings-that-you-don-t-really/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“That's all there is, enlightenment on the end of a cock. It doesn't get any more Zen than that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-wilkes/that-s-all-there-is-enlightenment-on-the-end-of-a-cock-it-doesn-t-get/)

[Jaden Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-wilkes/)

> [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/)

[Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/)

[Browse all 6,100 Buddhism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Asian philosophy and culture never endured an intellectual upheaval like the Cartesian split of mind and body that brought the so-called Enlightenment to the West. The consequent achievements of scientific method and the less fortunate by-products of secular self-interest together laid the groundwork, in Europe and America, for the personal psychology of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Polly Young-Eisendrath"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endured-an-intellectual-upheaval/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Buddhism"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endured-an-intellectual-upheaval/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/276/polly-young-eisendrath-65754_buddhism_asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endur_2287834.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Asian philosophy and culture never endured an intellectual upheaval like the Cartesian split of mind and…” — Polly Young-Eisendrath",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Polly Young-Eisendrath",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polly-young-eisendrath/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Asian philosophy and culture never endured...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endured-an-intellectual-upheaval/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polly-young-eisendrath/asian-philosophy-and-culture-never-endured-an-intellectual-upheaval/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
