THE SELF IN

WESTERN AND
EASTERN
THOUGHTS
UNDERSTADING THE SELF: SERIES 4
Lesson Objectives
 Differentiate the concept of self
according to western though against
eastern/oriental perspectives;
Explain the concept of self as found in
Asian thoughts; and
 create a representation of the Filipino
self.
Cultural Perceptions of Self

 Eastern and Western

dichotomy wherein eastern as
called Orientals represents
ASIA and western represents
the EUROPE and NOTHERN
AMERICA.
EASTERN THOUGHTS OF SELF
 CONFUCIANISM.
- Code of conduct, of how one should
properly act according to their relationship
with other people—harmonious social life.
(Ho, 1996)
- Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate
purpose of life, but the characteristics of a
chun-tzu, a man of virtue or noble
character is still embedded in his/her
social relationship.
EASTERN THOUGHTS OF SELF
 The cultivated self is a subdued self --It is
conditioned to respond to perceptions, not
of its own needs and aspirations, but of
SOCIAL REQUIREMENTS AND
OBLIGATIONS wherein the personal
needs are repressed for the good of many,
making Confucian society also hierarchal
for the purpose of maintaining order and
balance in society.
EASTERN THOUGHTS OF SELF
 TAOISM – It is living in the way of the Tao
or the universe. However, Taoism rejects
having one definition of what the Tao is.
 The self is not just an extension of the
family or the community; it is part of the
universe, one of the forms and
manifestations of the Tao.
 The ideal self is SELFLESSNESS but this
is not forgetting about the self, it is living a
balanced-life with society and nature, being
open and accepting the change.
EASTERN THOUGHTS OF SELF
 BUDDHISM– The self is seen as an
illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to
hold and control things, or human-
centeredness, thus the self is also the
source of all these suffering;
 It is therefore our quest to forget about the
self, forget the cravings of the self, break
the attachments you have with the world,
and to renounce the self which is the cause
of all suffering and in doing so attain the
state of Nirvana.
EASTERN THOUGHTS OF SELF
Confucianism and Taoism --- The person, in
striving to a better person, does not create
a self above the other people or nature but
a self that is beneficial to his/her community
as well as in order and in harmony with
everything else.
 As for Buddhism, the self, with all its
connections and selfish ideas, is totally
taken, not just out of the center of the
picture, but out of the whole picture as a
whole.
WESTERN THOUGHTS OF SELF
 Western perspective does not discount the
role of environment and society in the
formation of the self but the focus is always
looking towards the self. You compare
yourself in order to be better, you create
associations and bask in the glory of that
group for your self-esteem ; you put
PRIMACY IN DEVELOPING YOURSELF.
 Western thought looks at the world in
dualities wherein you are distinct from the
other person, the creator is separate from
the object s/he created.
DIFFERENCES OF WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHTS
In which the self is distinguished and
acknowledged. (Wolter, 2012)
 On the other hand, the Eastern perspective sees
the other person as part of yourself as well as the
things you may create, a drama in which
everyone is interconnected with their specific
roles.
 Americans, for example, talk more about their
personal attributes when describing themselves
while Asians in general would talk about their
social roles or the social situations that invoked
certain traits that they deem positive for their self.
 DIFFERENCES OF WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHTS
 Evaluation of the self also differs as Americans
would highlight their personal achievements while
Asians would rather keep a low profile as
promoting the self can be seen as boastfulness
that disrupts social relationships;
 The Western culture then is what we would call
an individualistic culture since their focus is on
the person;
 Asian culture, on the other hand, is called a
collectivistic culture as the group and social
relations is given more importance than individual
needs and wants.
DIFFERENCES OF WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHTS
By valuing the individual, westerners may seem
to have loose associations or even loyalty to their
groups.
 Competition is the name of the game and they
are more likely straightforward and forceful in
their communication as well as decision-making;
 Eastern or oriental persons look after the welfare
of their groups and values cooperation. They
would also be more compromising and they tend
to go around the bush in explaining things, hoping
that the other person would “feel” what they really
want to say. (Qingxe, 2003)
DIFFERENCES OF WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHTS
Westerners also emphasize more on the value of
equality even if they see that the individual can
rise above everything else; they also promote
ideals “fair” competition and protect the individual;
 As Asians, with their collective regard, puts more
emphasis on hierarchy—as the culture wants to
keep things in harmony and in order.
 Westerners would most likely call their boss,
parents, or other seniors by their first name;
 Asians have respectful terms for seniors and a
lot of workers would not dare go against ranking
officials. (Qingxue, 2003).
AS FOR THE PHILIPPINES
 Filipinos can also consider the colonization
experience for differences and similarities with
our Asian neighbors;
 We might also find variation among provinces
and regions due to geographical conditions;
With social media, migration, and intermarriages,
variety between the Westerners and Asian
perceptions may either be blurred or highlighted,
whereas conflict id inevitable in diversity, peace is
also possible through the understanding of where
each of us is coming from.
THE SELF IN
WESTERN AND
EASTERN
THOUGHTS
UNDERSTADING THE SELF: SERIES 4