Self in Indian Thought
Self in Indian Thought
Self in Indian Thought
• Satyam & rtam: clear distinction in Indian tradition bet ween "satyam" -
something that is universally & eternally or "absolutely" true & "rtam" -repeatable
patterns of relationships in data or "laws" of nature.
• Western psychological theories focused on rtam (search for relationships among
variables for greater prediction & control).
• Eastern/Indian thought focused on absolute truths rather than repeatable
patterns or obser vable relationships among variables
Upnisadic Buddhist
(Self af rming) (Self denying)
- Vedanta
- Sankhya Yoga
- Nyay
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Duality of Self
• Upnisadic literature differentiates bet ween t wo kinds of self
द्रि
द्रि
श्या
• self-as-subject is the centre of awareness or the true Self, also called "Atman"
• Changing versions of self as a result of repeated identi cations with body, possessions,
social roles, reputation, ideas, or values are
• Ego identi es itself with desirable images of self which keep changing - a never ending chase!
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Self in Buddhism
• Gautam Buddha could not nd happiness despite all the pleasures of life which he could
access through money and power
• Prescribed a life of self self discipline/self control & contemplation " तन" to realize the
impermanence of ego
चिं
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References
• Paranjpe, A. C. (2010). Theories of Self and Cognition: Indian
Psychological Perspectives. Psychology of Developing Societies vol. 22
(1)