The Self in

Eastern and
Western
Thoughts
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should 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.
Broadly speaking,

• Western society strives to find and prove "the

truth", while
• Eastern society accepts the truth as given
and is more interested in finding the balance. 
Westerners put more stock in individual rights;
Easterners in social responsibility.
MAIN SCHOOLS
Eastern
Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Integral Yoga,
Islam, Taoism, Zen

Western
Christianity**, Rational, Scientific, Logical schools
 MAIN PRINCIPLES
EASTERN
1. Cosmological unity
2. Life is a journey towards eternal realities that are
beyond the realities that surround us
3. Circular view of the universe, based on the
perception of eternal recurrence
4. Inner-world dependent
5. Self-liberation from the false "Me" and finding the
true "Me". The highest state is believed to be a
state of 'no-self', where neither self-worth nor self-
importance have any real meaning.
6. Behavioral ethics
WESTERN
1. Feeling oneself as an element of the Divine
2. Life is a service (to the God, money, business,
etc.)
3. Linear view of the universe and life, based on the
Christian philosophy where everything has its
beginning and the end.
4. Outer-world dependent
5. Self-dedication to the goal (life vision, success,
happiness, etc.)
 “Me” Concept
EASTERN
Eternal reality of the universal
truth: self-liberation through
getting rid of the false "Me"
and discovering the true "Me
WESTERN
"Me" is here and now. The
true “Me” in every human
being is a part of the Divine
that need to become
apparent. True “Me” is given
and doesn’t have to be
cognizable.
 Religion
EASTERN WESTERN

Integration Opposition
 Search for Absolute Truth
EASTERN WESTERN
• Systemic approach – all events in • More focused on individual events and
the universe are interconnected the role of the person
• Searching inside yourself – by • Searching outside yourself - through
becoming a part of the universe research and analysis
through meditation and right living

"Though he should live a hundred years, "The truth that survives is simply the lie
not seeing the Truth Sublime; yet better, that is pleasantest to believe."
indeed, is the single day's life of one who ~ H.L.Mencken
sees the Truth Sublime."
~ Buddha
 Fundamental Truth and Research
EASTERN WESTERN

The truth is given is does not The truth needs to be proved.

to have be proved.
The philosophic base for and
The philosophic base for and culture of fundamental
culture of fundamental research is stronger
research is weaker.
 Future
EASTERN WESTERN

Your future is determined by Your future is unknown, it was

your deeds today.
"Study the past if you would
like to divine the future."
~ Confucius
predetermined by God and is
not much influenced by your
deeds.
"You can never plan the future
by the past."
~ Edmund Burke
 Individualism vs Collectivism
EASTERN WESTERN

A human being is an integral A human being has an

part of the universe and the individualistic nature and is an
society. People are independent part of the
fundamentally connected. Duty universe and the
towards all others is a very society. Individualism is
important matter. stronger
Collectivism is stronger.
 Passion and Venturing
EASTERN WESTERN

Entrepreneurial creativity Entrepreneurial venturing

and venturing is encouraged
is contained by the habit to emotionally.
control one's passions.
 Winning
EASTERN WESTERN
Inside yourself. Outside yourself.
He who conquers others is strong; "You're not a star until they can spell
he who conquers himself is mighty." your name in Karachi."
~ Lao Tzu ~ Roger Moore

"Life affords no higher pleasure than

"The most excellent Jihad is that for that of surmounting difficulties, passing
the conquest of self." from one stop of success to another,
~ Mohammad forming new wishes and seeing them
gratified."
~ Samuel Johnson
 Passion and Venturing
EASTERN WESTERN

Entrepreneurial creativity Entrepreneurial venturing

and venturing is encouraged
is contained by the habit to emotionally.
control one's passions.
 Goals & Key to Success
EASTERN WESTERN

Spiritual Materialistic
"Virtuous life and adherence to performing "The secret of success in life, and
your duties." subsequently of making money, is to
~ Confucianism enjoy your work. If you do, nothing is hard
work – no matter how many hours you put
"The Three Armies can be deprived of in."
their commanding officer, but even a ~ Sir Billy Butlin
common man cannot be deprived of his
purpose." "Success is that old ABC – ability, breaks
~ Confucius and courage."
~ Charles Luckman

EASTERN
Virtue
"Be satisfied with whatever you
have, and enjoy the same. When
you come to know that you have
everything, and you are not short of
anything, then the whole world will
be yours."
~ Lao Tzu
Living Principles
WESTERN
Ethic
"Refrain from doing ill; for one all
powerful reason, lest our children
should copy our misdeeds; we are
all to prone to imitate whatever is
base and depraved."
~ Juvenal
 Controlling Emotions
EASTERN WESTERN

Through meditation Through analysis

“A man can separate his/her "I can control my passions and

mind from his/her emotions emotions if I can understand
and control them.” their nature.“
~ Taoism ~ Spinosa
 Leadership
EASTERN WESTERN

Spiritual; walking behind Hands-on; walking ahead of

people; silence is golden. people; speech is golden.

"In order to guide people, the "Leadership is done from in

leader must put himself behind front. Never ask others to do
them. Thus when he is ahead what you, if challenged, would
they feel no hurt." not be willing to do yourself."
~ Lao Tzu ~ Xenophon
FILIPINO
COPYCAT Tableau presentation:
The Collective Memory of the Filipino
ACTIVITY
REFERENCE(S) http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/cros
scuttings/cultures_east-west-phylosophy.html