The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts

THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHTS
WEST EAST
North and South America Asia
Europe Middle East
Australia
New Zealand
WESTERN EASTERN
Strives to find and prove the truth Accepts the truth as given and is more
interested in finding the balance
Christianity, Rational, Scientific, Logical Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Integral
schools Yoga, Islam, Taoism, Zen
More focused on the individual events and the Holistic approach – all events in the universe
role of the person are interconnected
Searching outside yourself through research Searching inside yourself – by becoming a
and analysis part of the universe through meditation and
right living
Your future is unknown, it was predetermined Your future is determined by the past and
by God and is not much influenced by your your deeds today
deeds.
A human being has an individualistic nature A human being is an integral part of the
and is an independent part of the universe and universe and the society
the society
Individualistic Self inevitable, he should make the most of this
- Through the process of introspection and life he was given
reflection, man begins to search for clues - He sees himself as being capable of living
as to the probable purpose of his existence his own life, doing the things that he would
and the role he plays in the general order of love to do, making his own mistakes and
the things of the world. As a result of his learning from his experiences.
introspection, he decides that since he has - He is aware of his rights and the
only one life to live and that death is limitations of his freedom in the extant
society; he sets goals and works hard to - They are bound by the customs, beliefs and
achieve them. traditions by the group.
TRAITS OF INDIVIDUALISTIC - Some examples of issues decided upon by
CULTURES the group are gender roles, marriage
 Uniqueness practices and patriarchy. In such cases,
 Autonomy individual freedom is sacrificed for the
 Self-sufficiency benefit of the group.
TYPES
Egoistical Individualism In contemporary society, both the
- the idea that individual freedom is individualistic and collective self may
associated with self-interest and self-reliance exist in a single individual through:
Developmental Individualism 1. Result of influences and
- the idea that individual freedom is linked intermarriages between people of the
to human flourishing. East and the West.
- He knows that he is the one who will suffer 2. Sharing of knowledge and the influx
the most if he wastes his chance to live a life of information from mass media and
that he and his family can be proud of. social media.
- Something that would define him and

inspire others that being in the world meant THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHT
making it better not only for himself but also Ecological self
for others. - It sees the self as a process that is
Collective self undergoing development.
- The identity of the individual is lost and - Human biological and environmental
does not exist except as a part of the group. characteristics like race, gender, social
- The family and the society control how the status, education and culture are factors that
group members should think, act and influence self-development.
generally conduct themselves in society.

- It is observed that strong bonds of unity are
formed and developed in here
- In an extreme sense, all decisions made are
group decisions
The parent's age must be remembered, to be known through
both for joy and anxiety - Confucius scholarly study
Confucius  Humanistic Social Philosophy
- He grew up poor even though he - The philosophy of Confucius
descended from a scholarly family.
- It was the name for which Kong Zhongni THE SELF IN CONFUCIAN THOUGHT
of China was known in the West. Ren
- Born in the period of the Zhou dynasty in - It can also be understood as human
551 BCE in the small state of Lu. goodness
- Through all of the unrest, his family made - It involves feelings and thinking which
sure that he received proper education. serves as the foundation of all human
- His experiences in politics made him focus relationships
on social reforms - It further signifies the Chinese culture’s
- He considers the society and its emphasis on feelings (heart) as the most
communities as the main source of values of important instead of the head in human
both human beings and the society in nature.
general. - The center of the philosophical concept of
 551 BCE Confucianism which can be manifested
- The time that Confucius was through:
born 1. Li (propriety)
 Zhou Dynasty 2. Xiao (filiality)
- The period of dynasty that 3. Yi (rightness)
Confucius was born
- was characterized by 1. Li (Propriety)
political, social and moral - In order to guide human actions, rules of
disintegration in China. propriety should be followed
 Master Kong’, ‘Great Sage and - Such rules involve adherence to the rituals
Teacher of the community
- These are the following - In connection with the Li, Confucius stated
names that Confucius came “ to master oneself and return to propriety is
humanity”.
Self-mastery Confucius believes that everyone has
- It includes self-development and rejects duties and responsibilities esp. in the five
selfish behavior relationships:
- It is characterized by self-control and the 1.Between father and son
will to redirect impulses and change these to 2.Ruler and the subject
socially accepted expressions of human 3.Older and younger brothers
nature. 4.Husband and wife
5.Friend and friend
Five relationships:
- Harmony in society is possible when people accept their place in society. Key relationships
include father to son, older brother to young brother, husband to wife, ruler to subject, and friend
to friend. Except for friendship, none of these relationship is equal.
RELATIONSHIP APPROPRIATE VIRTUE
Father/Son Filial piety
Ruler/Subject Loyalty
brother/Brother Brotherliness
Husband/Wife Love and obedience
Friend/Friend Faithfulness
2. Xiao (filiality) - If ever, the person is having difficulty

- The virtue of reverence and respect for giving his family the honor that they
family. deserved, he should just do his best to not
- Parents should be revered for the life they disgrace the family
had given. Children should show respect to  Family
their parents by exerting efforts to take care - It is a reflection of the
of themselves. person. How the person
- Reverence for parents and family is further interacts socially and the
demonstrated by bringing honor to the values he emulates can all be
family, making something of himself to earn traced back to his family
the respect of others environment.
- This forms the bases of the - emphasized that actions should be
person’s moral and social performed because they are right and not for
virtue selfish benefits that they provide.
3. Yi (rightness)
- The right way of behaving. Li, Xiao and Yi
- It is unconditional and absolute - These are virtues observed in a person
- Actions must be performed and carried out whose humanity is developed, morally
because they are the right actions Cultivated and aware.
- Obedience to parents, for instance is
expected of children because it is morally
right and obligatory to do so.
Virtuous people
- According to Confucianism, result in a
well-rounded, civilized, humane society.

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THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHTS

 Self-sufficiency benefit of the group.

associated with self-interest and self-reliance exist in a single individual through:

Developmental Individualism 1. Result of influences and

to human flourishing. East and the West.

that he and his family can be proud of. social media.

- Something that would define him and

for others. - It sees the self as a process that is

Collective self undergoing development.

group members should think, act and influence self-development.

generally conduct themselves in society.

2. Xiao (filiality) - If ever, the person is having difficulty

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