THE SELF IN

EASTERN AND
WESTERN
THOUGHTS
Individualistic vs. Collective Thoughts
 Western Perspective
• Human reason has the power to know the truth.
• Parts rather than the whole
• Self: Body-Soul component
• Individualism and freedom is highly valued.

•I.O.W. The self is the master and the architect of

his or her own life
Eastern Perspective of
the Self
• Values unity and harmony
• Being part of a greater whole
• Interdependence with nature
and with others

• I.O.W. The self is a relational

being that places harmony
with the other selves with
utmost importance
 Eastern and Western Thoughts
Eastern (Classical Indian and Chinese Philosophies)
Collectivism/ Wholistic
Cosmological Unity
The self views the universe in circular/ cyclic manner based
on the perception of eternal recurrence
In finding truth or meaning, it is the “We”
Religion and Philosophy as one
Action is the extension of the mind
Me- to be discovered by liberating from the false “me” or
the attachment to material things
Systemic approach: all events in the universe are
interconnected
Searching inside yourself by becoming part o the universe
The truth is given and it does not have to be proven
Western (Greek and Judeo-Christian Traditions)
Individualism/ Fragmentary
Feeling one self as an element of the Divine
The self’s linear view of the universe and life based on the
Christian philosophy where everything has its beginning and
end.
It is the “I”
Religion is independent of Philosophy
Action is not necessarily a translation of the mind
Me- given, does not have to be cognizable
More focused on the individual events and the role of the
person
Searching outside yourself through research and analysis
The truth needs to be proven
CONCEPTS
OF SELF

Collective existence
Buddhism
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama
• Anatta Doctrine
• Dukkha- suffering
• Anicca- Impermanence
*The paradox of the self and the “no self”
Reincarnation- karma
(Interdependent Origination: nothing exists
independently of anything else)
Nirvana(blowing out a candle)- Self-renunciation
- the individual has the power to alter the cosmic
flow of things (knowledge)
 Nirvana and the Ego
• 5 skandas which make-up the person:
• Form which comprises the body and the sense organs;
• Sensations which are the processes created by the senses in
contact with the external environment;
• Perception which is recognition of objects according to one’s
senses;
• Mental formations or our predispositions, tendencies, traits,
habits; and
• Consciousness which is awareness about a stimulus from the
internal or external environment.
 Hinduism
•Brahman- the self
•Atman(breath or spirit)- identical to
Brahman
•The true self and the nontrue self
Main Ideas in Hinduism
• The concept of God (Brahman which is the most supreme
entity)
• There is reincarnation where a soul passes through different
physical bodies as it is destined to undergo what it deserve in
accordance with Karma.
• The Atman or souls that is also Brahman
• The world we are living in is comprised of varied levels of
existence
• The paths to salvation which are all similar to other doctrines
which evidently leads to the same goal.
 Taoism
• Based on the Philosophy of Lao Tzu
• “Knowing others is wisdom. Knowing the self is
enlightenment.”
• The SELF is one of the countless manifestations of the
Tao. An extension of the cosmos.
• Selflessness
• “Tao Te Ching”- Dao(way of the world)
• “Empty yourself of everything, let your mind become
still.”
Five Cardinal Relationships
•Ruler and minister
•Father and son
•Husband and wife
•Brothers
•Friends
 Confucianism
•Relational Identity
•\Chun-tzu- gentleman or superior man
•Self cultivation- li(propriety),
cheng(sincerity)
The superior man regards the
attainment of sincerity as the most
excellent thing
Formation of the Self
•Heart of compassion
•Heart of righteousness
•Heart of propriety
•Heart of wisdom