BICOL UNIVERSITY POLANGUI CAMPUS

POLANGUI, ALBAY

GEC 11 │ UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

WEEK: __5__

STUDENT’S NAME: __________________________________________

COURSE YR. & BLOCK: __________________________________________

DATE RECEIVED: __________________________________________

INSTRUCTOR’S NAME: _________MRS. ROSARIO A. GONZALES________

 I. OVERVIEW

Module 5 this module will help you to see the difference and similarities of Western and Oriental/Eastern thought and the Self in
Relationships and through Spiritual Development in Confucian thought.
The Self in Western and Oriental and Eastern Thought:

Do we exist for ourselves or for others? Do we live for self-realization and self-actualization or do we live for the common good?
This is how the western and eastern perspectives about the self differ. The West is self-oriented while the East is others-oriented. The
former values freedom and choice and wants to free itself from the bondage of society. The latter values relationships and social
obligation and looks at the welfare of society. The former seeks to create its own identity but the latter identifies with the group.
The attempt to determine the differences between the perspectives of the West and the East toward the self was carried out by
social psychologists. They found out that in modernized countries people grow more analytical and individualistic, while in developing
nations, people remain collectivistic.

II. LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the week, the student should be able to:

 Demonstrate critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s self and identity by developing a theory of
the self.
 III. DISCUSSIONS AND
SELF LEARNING
ACTIVITIES (SAA)

The Self in Western and Oriental and Eastern Thought

 The Self in Relationships and through Spiritual Development in Confucian thought.

Individualism versus Collectivism

Individualism – is an orientation concerned with the independence and self-reliance of the individual.

- put more emphasis on promoting the individual and the immediate family’s welfare.

Western Conception- self is individualistic.

- It gives more emphasis on the freedom and choice-an independent self that is free from the influence of culture and
environment and from the expectations and welfare of the society.
- Emphasizes the uniqueness of every individual and is predicated on egoism or self-orientedness.
- Describes the self as existing and distinct from others.
- Individualism foregrounds that a human being has a self, is an individual, and is a person.
- It gives more emphasis on individual goals and his or her journey towards self-realization or self-actualization.
- The self is free to express itself.

Collectivism -is an orientation characterized by belongingness to larger groups.

- Collectivistic cultures, give more importance to loyalty to the in-group, which in turn takes care of the individual’s welfare
(Hui & Triandis, 1986).
Eastern Conception- self is collectivistic
 - It gives more importance on relationships, roles, duties, obligations, and the preservation of culture and tradition.
- Prioritizes the needs and goals of society over the needs and desires of every individual.
- It is founded that on the belief that people are socially connected.
- It puts more importance on belongingness to a larger group and emphasizes social obligations.
- Individual behavior is guided by judgements to social demands and situations.
- It is others-oriented because it encourages people to be kind, benevolent, charitable, dependable, and sensitive o the
needs of others.
- It promotes self-lessness, sacrifice for the welfare of society, and the performance of assigned roles.
- Stressed that an individual has “many selves” instead of having a one knowable self. Self is viewed as part of a “We”
instead of only a “Me”.
Buddhism
Confucianism
Taoism
Hinduism
 IV. SUMMARY/KEY POINTS

Different cultures and varying environment tend to create different perceptions of the “self” and one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is
the Eastern-vs-Western dichotomy wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western represents Europe and Northern America.
Furthermore, it must be reiterated that while countries who are geographically closer to each other may share commonalities, there are also a lot of factors that create
differences.

V. END OF MODULE
ASSESSMENT (EMA)

Do you agree with the differentiation between the West and the East? Where can you find the Philippines in the distinction? What are the factors that make the Philippines
similar or different from its Asian neighbors? Is there also a difference between regions or ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines?
 VI. LOOKING AHEAD

Which orientation are you more relatable, individualism or collectivism? Explain your answer.

VII. Self and

Module Evaluation SamGeorgi (2016) Hinduism Slides
Retrieved from:
https://www.slideshare.net/srgeorgi/hinduism-slides
Rate your learning experience in using this module according to the
following scale.
Photo credits:
Put a star mark on your response. 480px-Noto_Emoji_Oreo_11913.svg
856550aa773911d00b76b24aaa4bc467—icons
83013472701ce476a4e9e6401a6058ad—blushing-emoji-emojis
____4 – I learned a lot from this module. d4a51375d1de1e7d08534f75054961e9
illustration-smiley-vector-photo-free-trial-bigstock-emoji-joepie-980x520
____3 – I learned just right.

____2 – I still need guidance on certain topics.

____1 – I did not understand anything.

VIII. References

Books and Websites:

Alata,Caslilb, Serafica & Pawilen (2018). Understanding the Self. Sampaloc,
Manila: Rex Bookstore, Inc. (RBSI).
Milagros F. Frando, PhD & Lalaine Arceno-Isip (2019). Understanding the Self.
Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Leigharenillo (2018)Eastern and Western Philosophy of the Self

Retrieved from:
https://www.slideshare.net/Leigharenillo/eastern-and-western-philosophy-of-self