THE SELF IN WESTERN AND

EASTERN THOUGHTS

Mr. Michael A. Mendoza, RPm

Instructor
WESTERN THOUGHTS
EASTERN THOUGHTS
CONFUCIANISM
🞆 It is a way of life taught
by Confucius (Kong
Fuzi) in China.
🞆 It can be seen as a
code of ethical conduct,
of how one should
properly act according to
their relationship with
other.
🞆 It is also focused on
having a harmonious
social life.
Identity and self-concept of the
individual are interwoven with the identity and status of his/her community of culture,
sharing its pride as well as its failure.
SELF-CULTIVATION
It is seen as the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of a chun-tzu, man of virtue
or noble character, is still embedded in his social relationship.
🞆Subdued self – cultivated self in Confucianism wherein personal needs are repressed for
the good of many.
TAOISM
🞆It is a religious or philosophical
tradition
of Chinese origin
which emphasizes
living in harmony with
the Tao or universe.It was founded by Lao
Tzu.
🞆It rejects the hierarchy and strictness
brought about by Confucianism and
would prefer a simple lifestyle and its
teaching thus aim to describe how to
attain that life.
 SELF IN TAOISM
🞆 It is not just an extension of the family or the community but rather it is
part of the universe. 🞆 The ideal self is selflessness but this is not
forgetting about the self.
🞆 living a balanced-life with society and nature;
🞆 being open and accepting to change;
🞆 forgetting about prejudices and ego-centric ideas; and 🞆 thinking
about equality as well as complementarity among humans as well as
others.
🞆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.
BUDDHISM
🞆 It is a religion and
philosophy that
developed from the
teachings of the
Buddha.
🞆 It was founded by
Siddhartha Gautama.
🞆 It practices
meditation as means of
changing yourself in
order to develop the
qualities of awareness,
kindness, and wisdom.
SELF IN BUDDHISM
🞆It 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.
🞆It is our request 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
sufferings and in doing so, attain the state
of Nirvana.
 WESTERN
Individualistic Culture
Loose associations and loyalty to their
groups (competition)
Emphasize the value of equality and
promote fair competition and protect
individual
Promotes individual goals, initiative and
achievement
Individual rights are the most important and
rules in society attempt to ensure self
importance
Independence is valued and less of a drive
to help other citizens and communities
People are encouraged to do things on
their own and to rely on themselves
People strive for their own successes
EASTERN
Collectivistic Culture
Welfare of groups and values cooperation
Emphasize the hierarchy as the culture
wants to keep things in harmony and order
Each person is encouraged 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
People strive for the success of the whole
community