Our planet's fundamental polarity is not accurately stated as East-West, or Spirit-Matter, or Passive-Active; but all of these polarities express something of the problem at hand.
On the subject of the Western tradition, it is untrue to claim that science and Christianity are integral to European civilization. Nietzche wrote profoundly on this subject, and always maintained that the true Greek spirit degenerated into rationalism and Christianity. Rather, it is Tragedy that was the essence of the older Greek culture: the ability to affirm life, even in its destruction and pain; even to relish a painful destiny as a call to heroism.
The hero does not need transcendental perspectives, or the bribes of a heavenly reward. His wisdom is that of the person, the individual; his immortality, if he gains any, is in renown, the lasting influence of the life he lived. The tragic mood sees life realistically: the human being lives morality unsupported by the universe, which is essentially amoral; the gods, if they exist, are arbitrary, frivolous as aristocrats.
This view of life implies cautious respect for the powers of existence, and the striving for human achievement. The Classical Tradition has retained its power to inspire through the heroic efforts of builders, warriors, poets and thinkers to surpass themselves in creating something of value, even to humanity as a whole.
This is the domain of what is known in some traditional psychologies as the personality, or 'ego.' Nonetheless, the spiritual traditions of ancient times, from which our latter-day religions are derived, often seems to have denigrated the ego.
In an increasingly computerised world, it is important that we strive for a clearer view of personality, and how it relates to the spiritual path. This is far from being an abstract, metaphysical question: our answer concerns, and will affect our destiny as humans, and perhaps even the other species with whom we share existence.