WEEK 5: THE

SELF IN THE WESTERN AND ORIENTAL/EASTERN

THOUGHT

Western and Oriental/Eastern Thought

Cultural differences and environment creates different perceptions

of the self. The most common distinction between people and cultures is
the Eastern-Western distinction. Eastern are known as the Asian countries,
and Western represents the Europe and Northen America. It must be noted
that countries who are geographically closer to each other my share
commonalities, but factors that may create diffrences must be considered.

Individualistic versus Collective Self

Understanding individualism and collectivism could help in the understanding of the cross
cultural values of a person. Not every culture is at one end or the other of the spectrum, but the majority
tend to favor one over the other in everyday life.

Individualistic Self

• Individualism is not the idea that individuals should live like isolated entity, nor the idea that they
should never get or give help from others, nor the idea that an individual never owes anything to
other people.
• Individualism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts
toward goals is the individual. This means that we can form our own independent judgments, act on
our own thoughts, and disagree with others.
• Each adult individual can consider what is in his own best interests. Each can act on his own private
motivations and values and can judge other people as good people to form relationships with, or as
bad people to be avoided. Each can decide whether to cooperate with others to solve problems. Each
can choose to think for himself about the conclusions that the majority of others in a group come to,
accepting or rejecting their conclusions as indicated by his own thought.
• Example of the description would include an individual identifies primarily with self, with the needs
of the individual being satisfied before those of the group. Looking after and taking care of
ourselves, being self-sufficient, guarantees the well-being of the group. Independence and
self-reliance are greatly stressed and valued.
• In general, people tend to distance themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other. One
may choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one’s identity or success.
Individualist characteristics are often associated with men and people in urban settings.
 Western cultures are known to be individualistic.

Collective Self
• Collectivism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts
toward goals is not the individual, but some group. In different variants, this group may be the
family, the city, the economic class, the society, the nation, the race, or the whole human species.
The group exists as a super-organism separate from individuals: A group may make its own
decisions, acts apart from the actions of individuals, and has its own interests apart from those of
the individuals that compose it.
• Under collectivism, individuals are analogous to ants in the protection of their queen ant. The
individual ant doesn’t have minds of their own, and generally cannot disagree with the hive. Any ant
that acts in a way contrary to the interests of the group is a malfunctioning ant. If an ant does not
follow the certain pattern of how they protect their queen, it will be entirely unable to support itself,
find other ants that support other queen ant and will surely die in short order. If the malfunctioning
ant stays within the group, it will be a threat to the line appropriate to protecting the queen ant.
• Examples of the collectivist thinking is when our identity is in large part, a function of our membership
and role in a group, e.g., the family or work team. The survival and success of the group ensures the
well-being of the individual, so that by considering the needs and feelings of others, one protects
oneself. Harmony and the interdependence of group members are stressed and valued. Group
members are relatively close psychologically and emotionally, but distant toward non-group
members. Collectivist characteristics are often associated with women and people in rural settings.
• Asian countries are known to be collective in nature.

The Social Construction of the Self in Western Thought

• Self has been an area of interest by French and English philosophers, and evident in the ideas of
Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato.
• Descartes in 17th century emphasized the self in his dictum “I think therefore I am” which claims
that cognitive basis of the person’s thoughts is proof for the existence of the self. • Kant believed
that the self is capable of actions that entitles it to have rights as an autonomous agent.
• Here are some qualities imparted to the Western subjective self. It sketches some features on
subjectivity and ways of thinking of western persons. This provides an impressionistic profile
through the use of a few strokes characterizing some ways of being and thinking of many
western persons.
o Western self as analytic. Since analytic and inductive modes of thinking were
prominent for person in western cultures, to see objects as divisible combinations of
yet smaller objects. Real things are not only visualized but immaterial things like
thoughts, ideas and memories would be given emphasis.
o Western self as monotheistic. Monotheism can be known as the rigid consequence of
the doctrine of normal human being. It is like forcing the concentration of
supernatural capabilities.
o Western self as individualistic. The emphasis on individualism has direct and indirect
effects on both the presentation of self (in public ways) and the experience of the
 self (in private awareness).
o Western Self as materialistic and rationalistic. The western accentuation of rational,
scientific approach to reality has tended to define spiritual and immaterial
phenomena as potentially superstitious and dangerous. In any society, belief system
is stratified and composed of a hierarchy of interrelated, causal-explanatory
models.
The Self as Embedded in Relationships and through Spiritual Development in Confucian Thought
• Confucius was born in the period of the Zhou Dynasty in
551 BCE in the state of Lu. He grew up poor although he was
descended from scholarly family.
• Confucius philosophy is known as humanistic social
philosophy which focusses on human beings and the society in
general.
• Confucianism is centered on ren which can be manifested
through the li (propriety), xiao (filiality), and yi (rightness). For
Confucius, ren reflects the person’s own understanding of
humanity. It is found within each person and can be realized in
one’s personal life and relationship. Ren guides human actions that
makes life worth living which can be realized through li, xiao, and
yi:

o Li the propriety. Rules of propriety should be followed to guide Image Source:

https://www.oshonews.com/ human actions. These rules are the customs, ceremonies, and

traditions that forms the basis of li. According to Confucius, “to

master oneself and return to propriety is humanity” (Koller, 2007). Self mastery
involves self development. Self mastery is characterized by self-control and the will
to redirect impulses to change these to socially accepted expression of human
nature. Li conforms to the norms of humanity, thus one must fulfill their duties and
responsibilities in this five (5) relationships: father and son, ruler and subject, older
and younger brothers, husband and wife, friend and friend.
o Xiao the filiality. This is the virtue of reverence and respect for the family. Parents
should be revered for the life they and given. Children show respect to their parents
by exerting efforts to take care of themselves. Reverence for parents and family is
further demonstrated by bringing honor to the family, making something of himself
and to earn respect of other. If, however, the person is having difficulty giving his
family the honor that they deserved, he should just do this best to not disgrace the
family. Relationship that exist in the family reflect hoe the person relates to others in
the community. The family is the reflection of the person. How the person interacts
socially and the values they emulate can all be traced back to their family
environment.
This forms the bases of the person’s moral and social virtues (Koller, 2007).
o Yi the rightness. The right way of behaving which is unconditional and absolute.
Right is right, and what is not right is wrong. Actions must be performed and carried
out because they are right actions. Confucius emphasized that actions should be
performed because they are right and not for selfish benefits that they provide.
 ACTIVITY # 5: MY SELF: AN INDIVIDUALISTIC OR COLLECTIVE? (20 points)

This section aims to assess your understanding of some of the topics

covered in Week 5 through the activity below.

Instructions: In a maximum of 300 words, write an essay with the title, My

Self: an Individualistic or Collective? Explain how you consider yourself
as individualistic or collective in nature. Write your answers in a clean
sheet of paper. Take a photo and turn it in using Google Classroom (GED
101 Class) GED 101 group chat via FB

Name:

Section:
My Self: an Individualistic or Collective?

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References/Sources:
Arcega, A M., Cullar, D. S., Evangelista, L. D. & Falculan, L. M. (2018). Understanding the Self.
Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House Inc.
Gazzingan, L. B. et al. (2019). Understanding the Self. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi Publishing
House, Inc.

Alata, E.J.P., Caslib, B.N., Serafica, J.P.J., Pawilen, R.A. (2018). Unsertanding the Self. Rex Book Store
Inc., Sta Mesa Heights, Quezon City, Philippines

END OF WEEK 5

Well done on finishing Week 5!

WHAT COULD YOU LEARN NEXT?

Week 6: THE PHYSICAL SELF