GE 1 - UTS

Module 5

Student’s Name: Mary Grace Lobina Colambo

Course, Year & Section: BTVTED FSM 1B Date Submitted: 11/05/22

Lesson 4: THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHT

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1. differentiate the concept of self according to western thought against
eastern/oriental perspectives.
2. explain the concept of self as found in Asian thoughts; and
3. create a representation of the Filipino self.
Overview:
Different cultures and varying environment tends to create different perceptions
of the “self” and one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is
the eastern vs. western dichotomy wherein eastern represents Asia and western
represents Europe and Northern America. It must be understood that this distinction
and the countries included was politically colored at the time that aforementioned
concepts were accepted and used in the social sciences. Furthermore, it must be
reiterated that while countries that are closer to each other geographically may share
commonalities, there are also a lot of factors that create differences. In the Philippines
alone, each region may have similar or varying perception regarding the “self”.

Discussion and Analysis:

There are actually a lot of sources in which you can analyze the perspective of each
culture and country about the concept of “self”. You can see it in their literature like how
one culture depicts a hero or a villain in their stories. You can see it in their social
organization like how they see their boss or their subordinate. Art works, dances, even
clothing may show you clues about the “self”.
For the purposes of this lesson however, we will look at religious beliefs and political
philosophies that greatly influenced the mindset of each nation or the previous lessons,
also came from the Western scientific research, we will highlight the eastern thoughts in
this lesson.
First is Confucianism. Confucianism can be seen as a code of ethical conduct, of
how one should properly act according to their relationship with other people, thus it is
also focused on having a harmonious social life. The identity and self concept therefore
of the individual is interwoven with the identity and status of his/her community or
culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures.
Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of a
chun-tzu, a man of virtue or noble character, is still embedded in is/her social
relationships. The cultivated self in Confucianism is what some scholars call a
“subdued self” wherein personal needs are repressed (subdued) for the good of many,
making Confucian society also hierarchical for the purpose of maintaining order and
balance in society.
The second philosophy is Taoism. For the purposes of discussion, Taoism is living
in the way of the Tao or the universe. However, Taoism rejects having one definition of
what the Tao is, and one can only state clues of what it is as they adapt a free-flowing,
relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical view of almost everything. Taoism rejects the
hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and would prefer a simple. Thus, its
teachings aim to describe how to attain that life.
The self is not just an extension of the family or the community; it is part of the
universes, one of the forms and manifestations of the Tao. 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 about equality as well as complementarity among humans as well as other
beings. In this way, you will be able to act spontaneously because you will not be
restricted by some legalistic standards but because you are in harmony with everything.
The third belief is Buddhism. There are various groups who have adapted
Buddhism thus you may find differences in their teachings with our discussion but more
likely, their core concepts remained the same. The 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 suffering. It is therefore our quest to forget about the
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.
The self or the individual is not the focus of the abovementioned Asian or Eastern
philosophies or belief. Even with extended discussions about how the self should work,
Confucianism and Taoism still situates the self within a bigger context. The person, in
striving to a better person, does not create a self above other people or nature but a self
that is beneficial to his/her community as well as in order and order and harmony with
everything else. As for Buddhism the self with all its connections and selfish ideas, is
totally taken, not just out of the center of the picture, but out of the whole picture as a
whole.
Bearing the previous lessons in mind, Western perspective does not discount the
role of environment and society in the formation of the self but the focus is always
looking towards the self. 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 your
primacy in developing yourself.
One can also describe that the Western thought looks at the world in dualities
wherein you are distinct from the other person, the creator is separable from the object
s/he created, in which the self is distinguished and acknowledged. On the other hand,
the Eastern perspective sees the other person as part of yourself as well as the things
you may create, a drama in which everyone is interconnected with their specific roles.
Several studies showed that Americans, for example, talk more about their personal
attributes when describing themselves while Asians in general would talk about their
social roles or the social situations that invoked certain traits that they deem keep a low
profile positive for their self. Evaluation of the self also differs as Americans would
highlight their personal achievements while Asians would rather keep a low profile as
promoting the self can be seen as boastfulness that disrupts social relationships.
The Western culture then is what we call an individualistic culture since their focus
is on the person. Asian culture on the other hand is called a collectivistic culture as the
group and social relations is given more importance than individual needs and wants.
By valuing the individual, westerners may seem to have loose associations or even
loyalty to their groups. Competition is the name of the game and they are more likely
straightforward and forceful in their communication as well as decision-making. Eastern
or oriental persons look after the welfare of their groups and values cooperation. They
would also be compromising and they tend to go around the bush in explaining things,
hoping that the other person would “feel” what they really want to say.
Westerners also emphasize more on the value of equality even if they see that the
individual can rise above everything else. Because everyone is on their own in the
competition, one can say that they also promote ideals that create a “fair” competition
and protect the individual. Asians, with their collective regard, puts more emphasis on
hierarchy – as the culture wants to keep things in harmony and in order. For example,
Westerners would most likely call their boss, parents or other seniors by their first name.
The boss can also be approached head-on when conflicts or problems about him/her
arises. For Asians, we have respectful terms for our seniors and a lot of workers would
not dare go against the high ranking officials.
It must be emphasized, however, that these are general commonalities among
Western cultures as compared to Asian or Oriental cultures. In the case of the
Philippines, we can also consider the colonization experience for differences and
similarities with our Asian neighbors. We might also find variation among provinces and
regions due to geographical conditions.
With the social media, migration, and intermarriages, variety between the Western
and Asian perceptions may either be blurred or highlighted. Whereas conflict is
inevitable in diversity, peace is also possible through the understanding of where each
of us is coming from.

Assessment

Fill up this table with the top Five (5) differences between Western and Eastern Society,
and Culture.

WESTERN EASTERN

Westerns thoughts at the looks at the world in Eastern perspective sees the other person as
dualities wherein you are distinct from the part of yourself as well as the thing you may
other person the creator is separate from the create, a drama in which everyone is
object he created, in which the self is interconnected with their specific roles.
distinguished and acknowledged.
Westerners may seem to have loose Easter or oriental persons look
associations or even loyalty to their groups.
after the welfare of their groups and value

cooperation.

They more likely straightforward and forceful They would also be more compromising, and
in their communication as well as decision-
making.
they tend to go around the bush in explaining

really want to say.

Westerners also emphasize more the vase of Asians, with their collectivistic culture, put
the equality even if they see that the
individual can rise above everything else.
more emphasis on hierarchy as the culture

wants to keep things in harmony and order.

Western culture is what we called that Asian Culture is called

collectivistic culture as the group and social

individualistic culture since their focus is on

relations that is given more importance than

the person.

individual needs and wants.

Application
Create your own representation, diagram, or concept map of the self according to
Filipino culture. Provide a brief explanation about your output. You can also cite books
and researches about Filipino culture, self, and identity to further elaborate on the topic.

Strong Generosity Ingenuity

faith in
God

Cheerful Pakikisama
/ Unity

SELF
Helpful and
Patience Hospitality

SELF ACCORDING TO FILIPINO CULTURE

Culture is a person's background or the established norms that guide how
different social groupings conduct their daily lives. From one generation to the
next, it is passed down. It offers individuals means of connecting with others and
their environment. The interconnected network of rules and roles that constitutes
culture are patterns or recipes for living. It encompasses socially acceptable
ways of thinking, behaving, and feeling as well as those that each individual has
absorbed from being a part of that society. We learn and discern from our culture
what behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable, what is good and what is
wrong, and what is allowed and what is not. These Filipino cultural types
represent who I am and how I act. This group of qualities and principles.

Self and Module Evaluation:

Rate your learning experience in using this module according to the following
scale: Put a check mark on your response.
___ 4 - I learned a lot from this module
__✓_ 3 - I learned just right
__✓_ 2 - I still need guidance on certain topics
___ 1 - I did not understand anything
References:
Alata, Eden Joy P. et al, (2019), Understanding the Self, 1 st Ed. Manila, Rex Book Store
Brawner, Dalisay G., Arcega, Analiza F. (2018), Understanding the Self, Quezon City,
C & E Publishing Inc.
Corpuz, R. Estoque, R. & Tabolado, C. (2019) Understanding the Self. Quezon City: C
& E Publishing, Inc.