Orient? Occident?

I studied Eastern Philosophy when I was in college. What that means, I dunno. But I always found it curious as to why scholars refer to the different parts of the world as the "Orient", and the "Occident". The "Orient" signifies to me that *They must know the real deal*, (thus, "oriented"). What the hell is an "Occident"? A mispelled accident?

In my mind, the Orient stems from Africa through the Far East. THe Occident is basically Western Europe, which spilled over into the New World.

Thoughts?

The part of the horizon where the sun last appears in the evening; that part of the earth towards the sunset; the west; -- opposed to orient. Specifically, in former times, Europe as opposed to Asia; now, also, the Western hemisphere. --Chaucer.


I may wander from east to occident. --Shak.

Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin occident-, occidens, from present participle of occidere to fall, set (of the sun)


Google rocks eh ?


[Edited on 28-10-2003 by straterx]

[Edited on 28-10-2003 by straterx]

Orient=East

Occident=West

I don't know why but I know that's what they mean. It's not that complex.