LESSON 4

THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHT

Religious Beliefs
Political Philosophies

Focuses on religion of both cultures :

VERSUS

- CONFUCIANISM : By the Chinese philosopher Confucius.

“ The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at
large.” – Confucius
 Code of ethical conduct of how one should properly acy according to their relationship
with people.
 Focuses on having harmonious social life.
 Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose of life.
 Characteristics of Chun-Tzu, a man of virtue or boble character, is still embedded om
his/her social relationships.
 Cultivated self is the “subdued” self where personal needs are repressed for the good of
many.
 Its purpose is to maintain order and balance in society.
- (HO, 1995

TAOISM/DAOISM
By Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu.
“ Nothing is softer or more flexible than water yet nothing can resist it.” -Lao Tzu
 Living the way of the universe
 Adapts a free-flowing, relative, unitary and paradoxical vie of life
 Teaches how to attain life.
 The self is part of the universe
 Live a balanced life with society and nature by being open and accepting to change.
 Forget the prejudices and egocentric ideas and thinking of equality.
 This way will be able to act freely and spontaneously because you are noy restricted by
legal standards but because you are in harmony with everything.
 (Complete surrender to the universe
 BUDDHISM
By : Gautama Buddha

“What we think we become.” – Buddha

Sprung into different groups, but commonly believe thatv:
 The self is an illusion born of ignorance of trying to hold and control
things, or human-centered needs.
 The self is the source of suffering.
 Its purpose is to help forget about the self and its cravings and break the
attachment you have in the world.
 Renounce the self to enter the state of Nirvana.
NIRVANA (PARADISE)
 A transcendent state in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of
self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of
death and rebirth.
 It represents the final goal of Buddhisn.
- (Dictionary.com)

WESTERN PERPECTIVE :
- Does not discount the role of the 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 put primacy in developing
yourself.”

COMPARISON – POINT OF DISCUSSION

WESTERN ASIAN
- Perosonal - Social Roles or the
Attributes Social Situations.
- Personal - Keeping Low
Achievement Profile
- Competition is - Look after the welfare
The name of the of the groups and values
Game cooperation
- Straightforward - Go around the bush
In explaining things, hoping that
The other person would “Feel”
What they really want to say.

WESTERN CULTURE ASIAN CULTURE

- Collective culture - Individualistic culture