UNDERSTANDING

THE SELF
Course Material No. 5

Jigo Rafael
Catamio, MAEd, RGC
Course Instructor
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Eastern and Western

Perspective of Self 5
LEARNING OUTCOMES

Here’s what I will teach you in this course material:
LESSON OUTLINE • To compare and contrast the concepts of Self from East and
• Western concept West
of Self • To understand the effects of such influences to the concept
Unit Outline
• Notable
of Self of individuals
dimensions of
the western Self • To distinguish the strengths and weaknesses of each
perspective.
• Eastern
concepts of the
Self
RESOURCES NEEDED
• The four great
eastern schools For this lesson, you would need the following resources:
of thought
• PowerPoint presentation
• Kapwa as
• Laptop and Internet Access
defined in
Filipino • Notebook or short bond paper for activities
Psychology

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TABLE OF CONTENTS




Pretest
4 Pre-Activity Title

Before you start, try answering the following
questions.

are the dimensions of Self that we need to
5 Eastern and Western
Self
1. What

consider in comparison with the concepts of East

and Western perspectives?
7 Lesson Summary

_________________________________________


2. What is Individualistic and Collectivistic? 7 Key Terms

________________________________________

3. What
8 Posttest

are the four great Eastern schools of thought?

________________________________________

9 References

4. What are the possible strengths and weaknesses of
the concepts of Self between West and East?


________________________________________


5. Why is it important to understand all the underlying

factors explaining the Self on the views of East and

West?.

________________________________________








4 UNDERSTANDING THE SELF • NU FAIRVIEW
The importance of
the comparison
between East and
West

Key Point
After learning the various
concepts about self on
different sciences and
schools of thought, it is
important for us to
distinguish the difference of
the ideations on the matter
of Self between the cultural
perspective of East and
West. Knowing both their
strengths and weaknesses
would enable us to
customize our own views in
life and our notions about
our concepts of Self.

“My Ideal Self” Activity

Complete the following statements.

1. My Life is….
2. I believe that other people….
3. The future seems….
4. I have to….
5. I will be the happiest person in the world when..
6. Problems in life often….
7. I want to…
8. I consider myself as…
9. As compared to others, I am….
10. People around me are usually….

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Eastern and Western Self

The Western views of Self

Western Self is Analytic. Self is a social construct which is defined through
various symbols and signals derived from one’s understanding of his/her self
while still considering the role and influences of others. It is more so in the
western conception of the Self where the root or cusality of the Self is
derived from trying to understand various aspect or parts of the life of a
person to fully understand themselves as a whole.
Self is Monotheistic. Monotheism is the idea that there is only one Supreme
being or “god” that defines the goodness and badness of man, and provides
the standard or basis for the various beliefs leading to various actions and
behaviors that people do.
Self is Individualistic. Described with people being free to choose who and
what they want to be. Where awareness of what one wants, purpose and will
is solely based from the person’s own decision and is not controled or
necessarily influenced by others.
Self is both Materialistic and Rationalistic. Self is intimately connected to
bodily experience both historically and here and now awareness, thus
choosing practicality, being motivated by empirical things and being
motivated by logical and concrete things in life is one of the focus of people
in the western perspective. Success is thus mostly measured by the amount of
wealth or popularity a person acquires.
The Eastern view of Self. The eastern philosophy is often characterized by
its spirituality, where majority of the philosophies in the eastern perspective
often relates or combine religion, morals with their philosophies. Thus,
leading to the idea of establishing the Self with the goal of becoming a
perfect person.
There are 4 schools of thought which are the most representative of what the
Eastern beliefs are. They are Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and
Taoism. These beliefs systems follow a polytheistic or pluralistic view of
theology, where it follows multiple deities.
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Thus the Self is characterized as:

• A virtuous man who lives in a moral way focusing or revolving on

the merits of love, righteousness, wisdom, propriety and loyalty in
order to promote harmony in society (Confucianism);

• Through the practice of the eight fold paths and detachment to desires
to reach eliminate misery in life and reach “nirvana” literally
translated as ‘blowing out’ or a state of enlightenment where peace
and true happiness can be achieved or a state of transcendence that is
devoid of self-reference. (Buddhism)

• Attainment of liberation in the identification of Atman (the spiritual

essence of all individual human beings) and Brahman (the spiritual
essence of the universe) through the Four Yoga (Hinduism)

• A way of thinking that promotes selflessness which leads to being

one with the “Tao’ or the laws of the universe. Being able to adjust
and harmonize with nature is believed to be the process of attaining
perfection. (Taoism)
Filipino’s Concept of “Kapwa”. In idea of shared identity, an aspect of self
that is shared with others, it can be inherent or acquired which may also be
characterized in two levels or modes of social interaction – ibang-tao or
“outsider” and hindi ibang-tao or “one-of-us” (Pe-Pua & Protacio-Marcelino,
2000)
The collectivistic Self. Another distinction of the Eastern view of self is on
the emphasis of the ideologies of Collectivism, where the Self is integrated
part of society and the members are interdependent with each other. People
behave in a communal way and that duty towards others is given much
importance.

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LESSON SUMMARY

It was emphasized in this chapter the difference between the Eastern and
Western perspectives of Self. The priorities that they have, the beliefs that
they hold unto, and the goals of each views that define a person’s happiness
and aspirations in life.
It is important to note, that each and every concept that was discussed is
important in order for us to have a better concept of who we are and what we
may become in the future. The ultimate goal is to find the best elements or
aspects of each approach and combine them in order for us to have an easier
time in understanding our selves.

KEY TERMS

East West Collectivism

Kapwa Iba Tao
Tao Nirvana Happiness
Perfections Simplicity virtuous

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POSTTEST

Enumerate, compare and contrast the various

characteristics of the “Self” between Western
and Eastern Approaches or ideologies.
Western Eastern































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REFERENCES

Alata, E.J., Caslib Jr., B.N., Serafica, J.P., & Pawilen, R.A. (2018). Understanding the Self. [1st
ed.]. Quezon City: Rex Book Store, Inc.
Go-Monilla, M.J. & Ramirez, N. (2018). Understanding the Self. [1st ed.]. Quezon City: C & E
Pub.
Pe-Pua R., & Protacio-Marcelino E. (2000) Sikolohiyang Pilipino (Filipino Psychology): A
Legacy of Virgilio Enriquez. Asian Journal of Social Psychology, 3, 49-71. Retrieved
September 18, 2020 from https://www.indigenouspsych.org/Members/Pe-
Pua,%2520Rogelia/PePua_Marcelino_2000.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjCzsXF5_rrAhXZMd4KHV
USAq8QFjADegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw3jOoNcSfzst87oM5EKsamI