Eastern and Western Perspective of The Self PDF

THE SELF IN WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHTS
Understanding the Self
Lesson objective: At the end if the lesson, you
should be able to
• Differentiate the concept of self according to Western thought against

Eastern/Oriental perspective
• Explain the concept of self as found in Asian thoughts: and
• Create a representation of the Filipino Self
CONFUCIANISM
Can be seen as a code of ethical conduct of how one should properly act
according to their relationship with other people
Focused on having a harmonious social life (Ho, 1995)
Identity and self-concept are interwoven with the identity and status of
his/her community or culture, sharing its pride and its failures (Ho,
1995)
..\VIDEOS- EASTERN THOUGHTS AND WESTERN THOUGHTS\EASTERN

PHILOSOPHY - Confucius.mp4
TAOISM/ DAOISM
Living in the way of the “TAO” or the universe

Rejects having one definition of what the “Tao” is, and one can
only state clues of what it is as they adopt a free-flowing,
relative, unitary, and paradoxical view of almost everything
Rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and
would prefer a simple lifestyle and its teachings thus aim to
describe how to attain that life
TAOISM
• The self is not just an extension of the family or the community; it

is part of the universe
• The ideal self is selflessness but this is not forgetting about the
self, it is living a balanced-life with society and nature, being
open and accepting to change, forgetting about prejudices and
egocentric ideas and thinking equality and complementarity
among humans and other beings (Ho, 1995)
• ..\VIDEOS- EASTERN THOUGHTS AND WESTERN

THOUGHTS\EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - Lao Tzu.mp4
BUDDHISM
• Self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold

and control things, or human-centered needs; thus, the self is also
the source of all these sufferings (Ho, 1995)
• Our quest to forget about self, forget the cravings of the self,
break the attachments you have with the world, and to renounce
the self which is the cause of all suffering and in doing so, attain
the State of Nirvana
• ..\VIDEOS- EASTERN THOUGHTS AND WESTERN

THOUGHTS\EASTERN PHILOSOPHY - The Buddha.mp4
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE
• You compare yourself in order to be better; you create

associations and bask in the glory of that group for your self-
esteem; you put primacy in developing yourself
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE
• Looks at the world in dualities

wherein you are distinct from EASTERN PERSPECTIVE
the other person, the creator is
separate from the object he
created, in which the self is • Sees other person as part of
distinguished and acknowledged yourself as well as things you
(Wolter, 2012) may create, a drama in which
everyone is interconnected with
their specific roles (Wolter,
2012)
EASTERN PERSPECTIVE
• Talk about their social roles and

the social situations that
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE invoked certain traits that they
deem positive for their selves
• Talk more about their personal
attributes when describing
themselves • Keep low profile as promoting
the self can be seen as
boastfulness that disrupts social
• Would highlight their personal relationship
achievements
• Both collectivist and individualistic cultures have
their failings. People in individualist cultures are
susceptible to loneliness, and people in collectivist
cultures can have a strong fear of rejection.
Traits of Individualism
• "I" identity.
• Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement.
• Individual rights are seen as being the most important. Rules
attempt to ensure self-importance and individualism.
• Independence is valued; there is much less of a drive to help
other citizens or communities than in collectivism.
• Relying or being dependent on others is frequently seen as
shameful.
• People are encouraged to do things on their own; to rely on
themselves
• People strive for their own successes
Traits of Collectivism
• Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society, to do

what is best for society as a whole rather than themselves.
• The rights of families, communities, and the collective supersede
those of the individual.
• Rules promote unity, brotherhood, and selflessness.
• Working with others and cooperating is the norm; everyone
supports each other, as a community, family or nation more than
as an individual
Examples of Countries with Generally
Individualistic Cultures
United States Italy

Australia Belgium
United Kingdom Sweden
Canada
Ireland
Netherlands
Hungary (post- Norway
communist generation) Switzerland
New Zealand Germany
Examples of Countries with Generally
Collectivistic Cultures
China Malaysia
Taiwan Egypt
India Cyprus
Pakistan Ghana
Bangladesh Nepal
Indonesia Argentina
Afghanistan Armenia
Thank you very much for listening!

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THE SELF IN WESTERN AND

• Differentiate the concept of self according to Western thought against

..\VIDEOS- EASTERN THOUGHTS AND WESTERN THOUGHTS\EASTERN

Living in the way of the “TAO” or the universe

• The self is not just an extension of the family or the community; it

• ..\VIDEOS- EASTERN THOUGHTS AND WESTERN

• Self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold

• ..\VIDEOS- EASTERN THOUGHTS AND WESTERN

• You compare yourself in order to be better; you create

• Looks at the world in dualities

• Talk about their social roles and

• Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society, to do

United States Italy

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