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Module 5 GEC 11 Understanding The Self
Module 5 GEC 11 Understanding The Self
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WEEK: 5
STUDENT’S NAME:
DATE RECEIVED:
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.
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)
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.
- 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.
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.
VIII. References