FM-AA-CIA-15 Rev.

0 10-July-2020

Study Guide in GE1 - Understanding the Self with Personality Development Module No.5_

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STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. ___

CHAPTER I: THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

E. THE SELF IN WESTERN AND ORIENTAL / EASTERN THOUGHTS
MODULE OVERVIEW

As an Asian people, Filipinos tend to be having the mentality that western people are far more
superior than those of the eastern. This may be a result of the colonial mentality instilled to us during
the colonial era. But just as like we appreciate things that is associated to western country, they too
appreciates whats in the eastern. While we appreciate burgers and hotdogs, they too appreciates
adobo and sinigang.

From the above mentioned premises, one can tell that it is not only the eastern people who adore
others culture and traditions, the western loves eastern culture. Equally, both have rich cultures. We
always have been oriented the teachings of the western philosophers, but on the other hand eastern
has equally intelligent philosophers.

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Distinguish the eastern from the western construct of the self;

2. Differentiate the individualistic self from the collective self;
2. Explain the spirituality and philosophy of Confucius.

LEARNING CONTENTS

I. Individualistic vs. Collective Self

In ancient times, Plato notion of reality is dual, soul leaves the body and the body may be
thrown on oblivion. Descartes on the other hand is on the same stand with Aristotle’s Hylemorphic
Theory believing that man comprises matter (body) and form (soul) which are equally important and
that the two must exist and dependent with each other. The difference comes with the discussion of
Descartes that the body gathers information through our senses and one’s reason processes all the
information, making sense with the experiences of the body.

To solve the issue of the duality of the self, Descartes fused the body and soul as residing in a
person’s pineal gland. Although western thought stands to make the psyche collective, its nature is
still dual. Such duality becomes the reason why one strives for the perfection of self. Such that, when
we study and achieved a good future and eventually achieved this, then we can say that perfection of
the soul is achieved. But if one fails to attain what the soul strives to become, then the self is wasted,
as the ideals of the soul is to achieve the ultimate goodness (arete)

The eastern thoughts also wants to attain perfection of the self through meditation and
enlightenment, hence, the “dualism” matters is not an issue. For the eastern, people only possess a
“One Self” and has no separation of the body and soul. The self in the oriental thought is collective,
while on the other hand, the self for the western people is individualistic.

II. The Self According to Buddhism

Buddhism philosophy believes that the religion is a way of life and to live a moral life, to be
mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding is its

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Study Guide in GE1 - Understanding the Self with Personality Development Module No.5_

main teaching.

The Four Noble Truth and Eight Fold Paths as thought by the religion reminds people that life
should not focused on pleasure, instead should be lived in contemplation. In addition, the nature and
purpose of man is described through the major teaching:

The Four Noble Truth

1. Life is suffering. Life does not solely offer the kind of living a person sees it to be. Attached
with the pleasures is the reality that sufferings are included in life and can not be avoided.
2. Suffering is caused by craving and aversion. Lack of contentment results to suffering.
Human needs are never ending, and getting what one wants does not guarantee happiness.
Thus, to attain happiness, wants should be modified.
3. Suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained. When one learns to live each
day at a time and is able to give up unnecessary cravings, then man can possibly attain
happiness and freedom.
4. Eight Fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering. Being moral, being fully
aware of thoughts and action, developing wisdom by understanding the 4 Noble Truth , and
developing compassion for other will lead to the end of suffering.

III. The Self According to Confucianism

Confucius philosophy of life stand with the idea that life is a living reality, a blessing, a natural
priceless right and opportunity to be with others to work together for common good to attain
happiness. Thus, the threat for social order is selfishness. In the Confucian philosophy, the principle
of ren characterized the self possessing compassion for others. The self for Confucius is the person
within the society who exhibit refinement and compassion (Junzi). Such principle connotes that this
new self or Junzi is formed through education under the virtuous teacher as the role model.

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LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

WORD HUNT

Name: ___________________________ Course/Year/Section: ___________ Date: _______

Direction: Identify the concept that is being described below. Encircle the words either vertically, horizontally, or
diagonally.

L I F E I S S U F F E R I N G

P L A T O R Y L E G D X B K I

C O N F U C I U S O U L U M B

C I T S I L A U D I V I D N I

E M A C S E T R A C S E D D O

P I Q O I J U N Z I I E H B L

D N R L P H A S E N N K I X O

W I M L I M P B E R D C S F G

H U M E N T O R Y S I O M R Y

E T S C E R A M O R A L I E S

U E Q T A U H E X M I N D U A

M F W I L S D M I F E O U D R

S B P V E T D O N W X L R P E

T R U E Y O U R E A L T Y E T

F O U R N O B L E T R U T H E

1. Theory stating the man comprises matter and form.

2. Word pertaining to the soul’s ideals of achieving the ultimate goodness.
3. The philosopher who believed in the dualism of reality.
4. The philosopher who believed that life is a living reality, a blessing, a natural priceless right and opportunity to
be others.
5. Religion whose main teaching is to live a moral life, to be mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and to
develop wisdom and understanding.
6. The teaching of Buddhism reminding people that life should not focused on pleasure, instead should be lived
in contemplation
7. The teaching in the Four Noble Truth which reminds people that life does not only include pleasure but
sufferings as well.
8. The principle in Confucian philosophy that characterized the self as having the capacity to show compassion
for others.
9. The self in the eastern / oriental thought is considered to be ___________
The self in the western thought is considered to be ___________
ARNING CONTENTS (title of the subsection

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LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

ENRICHMENT ACTIVITY

Name: ___________________________ Course/Year/Section: ___________ Date: _______

Direction: Write your own reflection by answering the questions provided after the story.

One day, a very wealthy father took his son on a trip to the country for the sole purpose of showing his son
how it was to be poor.They spent a few days and nights on the farm on the farm of what would be considered a
very poor family.

After their return from the trip, the father asked his son how he liked the trip. “It was great, Dad,” the son
replied. “Did you see how poor people can be?” the father asked. “oh Yeah,” said the son. “So what did you
learned from the trip?” asked the father. The son answered, “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We
have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that have no end. We have imported
lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the
whole horizon.

⚫ In relation to the philosophies of Buddha and Confucius about life, what does this story tell you?

⚫ What have you learned about life after reading the story?

⚫ Which among the Four Noble Truth of Buddha would best describe the essence of the above story?
Explain why?

⚫ What do you think would be the best title for the story? Explain you title?

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Study Guide in GE1 - Understanding the Self with Personality Development Module No.5_
Based on Faith Medenilla Cueva, et.al, Round-Up Your Learning Questionnaire

SUMMARY

Differentiating the individualistic approach of the western culture in terms of viewing the self, the
eastern philosophy is particularly focused on the process of the universe and the endless becoming.
Unlike the neglect on how the eastern philosophers stand on the concept of self or of any other
principles, connections between the east and west at present times have already bridged, by a large
extent, the gap among the cultures.

REFERENCES

Alata, E., et. al. (2018), Understanding the Self, Rex Book Store, Inc. (RBSI), Quezon City
Cuevo, F., et. al. (2018), Understanding the Self, St. Andrew Publishing House, Bulacan
Villafuerte, S., et. al. (2018), Understanding the Self, Nieme Publishing House Co. Ltd.
Quezon City

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