Emotion East and West: Introduction to a Comparative Philosophy

Abstract

In recent years emotion has become the focus of intensive theoretical work among philosophers of the West.1 What is striking to a comparative philosopher is the almost total absence of references to Asian thought.2 The reason for the neglect cannot be an indifference to the past, for the present debate is very much attuned to the problems of its own tradition. And while it is true that Asian philosophers have not always been, shall we say, partial to emotion, this is equally true of the Western tradition; indeed, for this very reason, given also its importunateness, emotion has preoccupied both. This special issue of Philosophy East and West is an effort to redress the situation. A number of philosophers versed in Asian traditions have been brought together to discuss emotion in comparative perspective. This introductory essay provides some background on the contemporary debate in the West and then goes on to consider issues for an expanded exchange among philosophers East and West.