Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the student must be

able to:

1. Differentiate the concept of self according to

Western thought against Eastern/ Oriental
perspectives
2. 2.Explain the concept of self as found in

Asian thoughts; and,

3. 3.Create a representation of the Filipino self.
Buddhism, Confucianism,
Hinduism, Integral Yoga, Islam,
Taoism, Zen

Christianity**, Rational,
Scientific, Logical schools
 Confucianism
• Code of ethical content; focused
on having a harmonious social life
• Self-cultivation – ultimate purpose
of life
• “cultivated self” – subdued for the
good of many
• Confucianism is a system of ethics devised by the Chinese scholar
K’ung Fu-tzu (Latinished to Confucius) in sixth century BC China

• Self is characterized by relational identity which means that a person is

defined by his/her significant relationships

• Self-cultivation or self-realization is seen as the ultimate purpose in life

• The chun-tzu (man of virtue or noble character; commonly translated

as “gentleman” or “superior man”) is, above all, a man of self-
cultivation.
 To be a chun-tzu, man has to live by these principles:

Li is the principle of self-restraint and sense of propriety. It includes following social

etiquette and mannerisms.

Cheng means sincerity and unwavering devotion to the good.

Hsiao is love for the immediate family and then society.

Yi is the principle of righteousness.
Xin is the principle of honesty in life.
Jen is the most important of all principles. It means being kind and humane
to your fellow beings. It is about helping out others.

Chung is loyalty to one's family and to one's country.

 Taoism
• Living in the way of Tao “The
way” or universe
• “ideal self” – balanced life with
society and nature
• Taoism is a religious or philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which
emphasizes living in harmony with the Tao or the Way.
• Tao denotes the principle that is the source, pattern and substance of
everything that exists.
• Taoism disavows a hierarchical view of the self, society, or cosmos.
• The self is but one of the countless manifestations of the Tao. It is an
extension of the cosmos.
• The perfect man has no self; the spiritual man has no achievement; the
true sage has no name. The ideal is thus selflessness.
• The selfless person leads a balanced life, in harmony with both nature
and society. When selflessness is attained, the distinction between "I"
and "other" disappears. One may then act with complete spontaneity.
 Buddhism
• Self – illusion born out of
ignorance; source of all these
sufferings
• Aims to attain the state of Nirvana
• The Buddha taught that an individual is a combination of five
aggregates of existence, also called the Five Skandhas or the five
heaps.

Five Skandhas

• Form- our physical form

• Sensation- made up of our feelings -- both emotional and physical --
and our senses -- seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling.
• Perception- means thinking -- conceptualization, cognition, reasoning.
• Mental Formations- includes habits, prejudices, and predispositions,
and volition or willfulness
• Consciousness- awareness of or sensitivity to an object, but without
conceptualization
• Do not include the role of environment and society
• Focus is always looking toward the self
- Individualistic
• Look at the world in dualities
- you are distinct from the other person
- creator is separate from the object he created
• Emphasize more in the value of equality
- promote ideals of “fair” competition
 Western Philosophy Eastern Philosophy
INDIVIDUALISM COLLECTIVISM

• School of thought from • Based mainly in Asia,

Greek philosophy more specifically the
• Takes its roots from Rome Chinese philosophy
and Christianity, • Takes its roots from
specifically Judeo- Confucianism, Buddhism,
Christianity (Latin) and Taoism (classical
• Main principle: Self- Chinese)
dedication • Main principle: Unity
• Focused on ethics • Thrives on virtues
Thank
You!