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Awakening of Western thought will not be complete until that thought steps outside itself and comes to an understanding with the search for a world-view as this manifests itself in the thought of mankind as a whole. We have too long been occupied with the developing series of our own philosophical systems, and have taken no notice of the fact that there is a world-philosophy of which our Western philosophy is only a part. If, however, one conceives philosophy as being a struggle to reach a view of the world as a whole, and seeks out the elementary convictions which are to deepen it and give it a sure foundation, one cannot avoid setting our own thought face to face with that of the Hindus, and of the Chinese in the Far East. ... Our Western philosophy, if judged by its own latest pronouncements, is much naiver than we admit to ourselves, and we fail to perceive this only because we have acquired the art of expressing what is simple in a pedantic way.

Albert Schweitzer#10

PhilosophyThinkingWorldviewCultureDialogueEducationUnderstanding

About this quote

What does it mean?
Western philosophy must engage with non-Western thought to form a complete world view. Recognizing that our systems are just a part of a larger human philosophy is essential for true understanding.
In plain terms
Western thought needs to learn from other cultures to become whole.
What can you take from it?
Engage with global philosophies to deepen your own perspective.

Where it applies

  • academic study
  • cross-cultural dialogue
  • philosophical research

Putting it to work

  • study Eastern philosophies
  • compare world views
  • broaden reading

Questions to consider

  • What non-Western views challenge your own?
  • How does your culture shape your philosophy?

Another view

Western thought has historically centered itself, making this shift difficult in practice.

More from Albert Schweitzer

  1. The ethical ideas on which civilization rests have been wandering about the world, poverty-stricken and homeless. No theory of the universe has been advanced w…

    Permalink to quote #9
  2. The last fact which knowledge can discover is that the world is a manifestation, and in every way a puzzling manifestation, of the universal will to live.

    Permalink to quote #11
  3. The quiet conscience is an invention of the devil.

    Permalink to quote #8

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