made. For the purposes of this paper 'eurocentrism' is defined as the beliefs and methods of

thought predominantly followed by european thinkers. This would include static notions of

Orient and Occident where Oriental nations are naturally less developed than Occidental

nations, notions of progress as being both linear and materialistic and; most importantly, the

presence of empirical* systems of thought underlying philosophy and science. Any group of

beliefs that does not include all of these characteristics falls outside the definition of eurocentric.

There are two clauses in addition to the definition. Firstly, the assumption that an idea 'belongs'

to one group or another is preposterous, the equation (A=B, B=C thus A=C) does not belong

to Aristotle or Hellenistic culture even though he is its first known proponent. However a belief

may be unique to, or have originated in one culture, like the concept of the Mandate of

Heaven to the Chinese. The second clause within our definition adresses the subtle biase it

assumes: if the notions of 'Orient' and 'Occident' are a uniquly western construct then by

Thirdly, the biggest problem with assuming Yukichi is ill informed is that he has been to

Some common words found in the essay are:
East West, East Asians, Japanese Yukichi, East Asian, Asians Europeans, Russian Yukichi, Asia Yukichi, Pacific China, Mandarin Chinese, Niccolo Machiavelli, east west, people capable, definition eurocentric, notions progress, ideas east, japanese people, ideas east west, east asians, themselves superior, orient occident, static notions orient, tightly defined, major world power, japanese people capable, notions orient occident,
Approximate Word count = 2883
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page double spaced)