| As a branch or subfield of philosophy, | | | | |
| comparative philosophy is quite young and is | | | | Another is skepticism or the tendency to |
| still in its early stage of development. Its | | | | narrate or discuss various traditions and |
| aim is to work on problems and compare | | | | attitudes of other philosophers while |
| various philosophies by taking into account | | | | suspending belief or judgment of their |
| all sources regardless of culture, language | | | | adequacy and veracity. |
| or philosophical stream. It differs from area | | | | |
| studies philosophy in that area studies | | | | Incommensurability is another obstacle of |
| philosophy focuses its study on a single | | | | comparative philosophy that refers to the |
| region or area. For instance, it may compare | | | | extreme diversity of traditions that may make |
| the various forms of Confucianism within | | | | it impossible to reach a common ground on |
| China or compare Chinese Philosophy with | | | | which to base comparisons. Perennialism or |
| Indian Philosophy. Comparative philosophy | | | | the failure to recognize that traditions and |
| differs in that it goes beyond the boundaries | | | | beliefs evolve and thus the basis for a |
| of culture and language as it seeks to find a | | | | dialogue today may change tomorrow is another |
| basis for comparing philosophical traditions. | | | | major obstacle that comparative philosophy |
| | | | needs to overcome. |
| In this sense, comparative philosophy can be | | | | |
| regarded as an extension of world philosophy | | | | And finally there's the lack of acceptance by |
| because world philosophy brings together | | | | other philosophers of comparative philosophy |
| philosophical writings and traditions that | | | | itself as a subfield of philosophy. There are |
| exist among all human cultures with the end | | | | those that contend that there is no such |
| in view of coming up with a unified global | | | | thing as comparative philosophy because all |
| stand. It differs from comparative | | | | philosophical work is comparative. When you |
| philosophy, however, in that the latter does | | | | try and find the common ground among |
| not really strive to become a world | | | | different versions of one religion, you are |
| philosophy but only to gain a better | | | | actually comparing them. When you study the |
| understanding of the differences in beliefs | | | | principles that one philosopher espouses and |
| of one culture with another from a different | | | | test these principles with that of another, |
| region. | | | | you are comparing them. |
| | | | |
| The Hurdles of Comparative Philosophy | | | | Truth be told, the strong tendency for |
| | | | incommensurability that results from the |
| Certain problems stand in the way of | | | | excessively diverse scope of subjects |
| comparative philosophy that prevents it from | | | | embraced by comparative philosophy results in |
| totally achieving its goals. First of this is | | | | the failure to create a synthesis of |
| descriptive chauvinism or the tendency of | | | | traditions. What comparative philosophy |
| philosophers to regard his own tradition as | | | | creates is not a new belief or understanding |
| the only correct tradition and other | | | | but a new method or process by which one can |
| traditions that differ from his as erroneous | | | | try to understand. |
| or false. | | | | |