LESSON 5: THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHT

DR. JONA ADDATU, RGC

“One ship sails and another sails west with the same self – wind that blow,
it’s the set of the sail and not the gale that determines the way we go. As the
winds of the sea are the ways of fate. As we voyage along through life, it’s
the act of the soul that determines the goal and not the calmness of the
strife.”
- Ella Wilcox
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Distinguished how the self is construed according to western and
eastern perspectives;
2. Describe the construction of the self-based on Asian thoughts; and
3. Create a representation of the Filipino self.
READING:
- The Eastern world comprises of nations in Asian while the Western
world consists of countries which are geographically located in Europe
and North America. The perceived dichotomy between the east and the
west is not only geographical but more of cultural as it encompasses
differences in terms of beliefs and modes of thinking, values and ways
of life.
INDIVIDUALISTIC VERSUS COLLECTIVE THOUGHTS
 INDIVIDUALISTIC PERSPECTIVE – views the self as one that is
independent from others; it is a separate, autonomous, and distinct
entity.
-Individualist thought recognizes individual differences; it tends
to prize autonomy over collective wisdom and effort where the
individual is a regarded a self-made whose success and
happiness do not necessarily depend on others, not even to the
society in general.
 COLLECTIVISTIC THOUGHT – all things are seen as interdependent
and inseparable parts and parcels of the large social world.
-Collectivist recognize that their identity and self-esteem are
wrapped up in their group and so they would more likely value
promoting group harmony and cohesion, belonging, and fitting-
in.
 EASTERN AND WESTERN THOUGHTS
WESTERN (GREEK AND JUDEO-
CHRISTIAN TRADITONS)
Individualism/Fragmentary/Dualistic:
A human being has an individualistic
nature and is an independent part of
the universe and the society. More
focused on the individual events and
the role of the person. Emphasis is
on the “I”.
Outer-world dependent: Searching
outside yourself – through research
and analysis
Science/evidence – based culture:
What can be proven/ measured is
deemed the truth
Man is an element of the divine
Life is a service (to God, money,
business etc.)
The journey of mankind is linear;
everything has its beginning and
end.
Action is not necessarily a The action is the extension of the
translation of the mind.
The concept of “Me”: the true “me”
is a part of the divine that need not
become apparent: it is given, does
not have to cognizable
EASTERN (CLASSICAL INDIAN
AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHIES)
Collectivism/Holistic: A human being
is an integral part of the universe
and the society. People are
fundamentally connected. All events
in the universe are interconnected
(Systematic Approach). Emphasis is
on “WE”
Inner-world dependent: Searching
inside yourself – through meditation
and right living.
Evidence is meaningless; truth is
given and does not have to be
proven
Man is part of the cosmic unity
Life is a journey towards eternal
realities outside the world
The journey of mankind is cyclical:
perception of eternal recurrence (life
after death, reincarnation)
mind.
Me- to be discovered by liberating
from the false “me” – attachment to
the material things

CONSTRUCTION OF THE SELF IN THE WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

- The western thought maintains the individual as a separate, self –
contained individual, whose sense of self-worth is focused on internal
attributes (ability, intelligence, personality, goals, preferences, rights).
- The self-according to western theories was comprehensively preceding
topics.
THE SELF EMBEDDED IN THE ORIENTAL THOUGHTS
- The self, through this holistic view, is considered a relational being
whose very existence is defined by his being blended harmoniously
with the other selves, all things and events.
- The self is fundamentally connected with the other selves and is an
integral part of the universe and society. In this web of
 interdependency, harmony is the key. One’s conformity with shared
norms and values is very important.
THE SELF IN HINDUISM
- The self is Atman - the innermost essence of the self whose destiny is
to be Brahma in Nirvana. Attachment of the self to the material world
(maya/illusion) leads to suffering (samsara). Reincarnation of the self is
a thinking that it is its real destiny.
- The self has to liberate itself from this ignorance by cultivating an
authentic knowledge (self-realization) that the self has is not MAYA but
ATMAN.
THE SELF IN BUDDHISM
- The doctrine of non-self or annata dictates that the self is subject to
the law changes.
- The self is composed of five aggregates;
o Natter
o Sensation
o Perception
o Mental construct
o Consciousness
- Buddhism discards the existence of the self. The idea of the self is
illusory.
- The goal of the self is to attain enlightenment by freeing oneself from
ignorance that causes suffering. To eliminate ignorance and attain
enlightenment , the self should:
 Know the four noble truths that there is suffering in this world;
the cause of suffering is craving for self-identity as if it is
permanence; there is way out of this bondage of suffering.
 The way to get out of suffering is by practicing the eightfold
path.
THE SELF IN CONFUCIANISM
- The self is a moral and social being. Confucius was essentially
concerned with what made a good life. Good life depends on order, and
order depends on good and just government. If a ruler lives and
governs virtuously, virtuous people would obey him. Virtue consists of
correct behavior, such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety,
wisdom, and loyalty.
- These virtues must guide human relations, namely
(a) Between ruler and people;
(b)Between parents and children;
(c) Between husband and wife;
 (d)Between elder brother and younger brother;
(e) Between friends and friend
- A true self is a noble man possesses all the virtues, and this noble man
is called the man of JEN.
- The self is a dot in the universe and being part of nature, the self must
live in accordance with the law of nature that rules and directs the
movements of all things.
- Confucius advocated the active role of man in relation to creating
oneness with nature.
THE SELF IN TAOISM
- As a philosophy, Taoism advocates what is natural and spontaneous,
simple, and necessary. Taoism derived its name from its central idea,
Tao or the way of nature. Taoism, just like Confucianism aimed at
humanity’s oneness with nature.
- Taoism considers the self as merely one of the many elements of the
natural world.
- Tao is an indescribable force that governs natures. The self must bring
himself in harmony with tao by practicing the three great virtues;
humility, frugality and contentment.
FILIPINO CONCEPT OF THE SELF
- A Filipino is multilayered because of foreign influences, such as those
of India, Indonesia, Malay, Chinese, Spanish, and American which are
embedded in our culture.
- Our understanding of the Filipino as a self must be based on the
concepts of PAGKATAO and LOOB. Pagkatao or humanities indicates the
fact that a Filipino is a human being just like anyone else. The concept
of loob is exemplified by Filipino holistic worldview and interiority
(human heartedness) Mercado, 1974).
- With this non-dualistic view, the self is seen as a body-soul
embodiment. Life is not seen as compartmentalized, the present is the
continuation of the past, and this continuity moves in a cyclic manner
that has no beginning and no end (Gulong ng Palad)
- The human heartedness is mirrored in the Filipino concepts of
kagandahang-loob, kabutihang-loob, kalooban, which somehow depict
out interdependency with others. They slow the social dimension of the
self, sharing of the self with others in values of pakikisama,
camaraderie, hospitability, utang – na – loob, bayanihan spirit, family
centeredness, meal – centeredness, etc.