MODULE 1 LESSON 4 ABSTRACTION PART

There are a lot of sources in which we can analyze the perspective of

Eastern and Western thought.
The Western tradition is generally acknowledged to be “imbued with a
style of thinking based on dichotomy and binary opposition. Frank (1985)
outlined 4 categories on how the term “self” is used in contemporary
western discussions; to wit:
a. Analytical – tendency to see reality as an aggregate of parts;
b. Monotheistic- involved the tendency to unitary explanations of
phenomena and a closed system view of the “self”
c. Individualistic – where self-expression and self-actualization are
important ways of establishing who one is, as well as in finding
satisfaction in the world.
d. Materialistic/rationalistic – tends to discredit explanations that do
not use analytic-deductive modes of thinking.

The Oriental/ Eastern thoughts present the following:

1. Confucianism - code of ethical conduct; how one should act properly

according to their relationship with other people; focused on having a
harmonious social life; a cultivated self in Confucianism is what some
scholars call as “subdued self.” where personal needs are repressed
for the good of the many; it is hierarchical for the purpose of
maintaining order and balance in society.
2. Taoism - is living the way of the Tao or the universe; it rejects having
one definition of what Tao is, and one can only state clues of what it
is as they adopt a free-flowing, relative, unitary, as well as
 paradoxical view of almost everything; rejects hierarchy and
strictness; would prefer a simple lifestyle and its teachings thus aim to
describe how to attain that life.
3. Buddhism - the self is seen as an illusion; born out of ignorance, of
trying to hold and control things, or human-centered needs; thus, the
self is also a source of all these sufferings; forget the self; forget the
cravings of the self; break the attachments with the world; renounce
the self which is the cause of all the suffering and I so doing, attain
the state of Nirvana.
4. Islam - the Arabic word for the “self” is Nafs written in the Holy Qur-
an. It pertains to the psyche or the soul. The Quran does not ascribe
any property of goodness or evil to the self. The Nafs is something,
which has to be nurtured and self-regulated so it can progress into
becoming good through its thoughts and actions.

*Further references are available at https://bit.ly/2CMpfU0