GE 101 Understanding the Self 1st Semester 2023-2024

LESSON 4 – THE SELF IN WESTERN AND EASTERN THOUGHT

Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, student should be able to:

1. differentiate the concept of self according to western thought against eastern/oriental

perspectives;
2. explain the concept of self as found in Asians thoughts; and
3. create a representation of the Filipino self.

Total Learning Time: Week 5 (3 hours)

INTRODUCTION
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. It must be understood that this distinction
and the countries included was politically colored at the time that aforementioned were accepted and used in the
social sciences. In the Philippines alone, each region may have a similar or varying perception regarding the
“self.”

ABSTRACTION
There are actually a lot of sources in which you can analyze the perspective of each culture and country
about the concept of “self.” You can see it in their literature like how one culture depicts a hero or a villain in
their stories. You can see it in their social organization like how they see their boos or their subordinate. Art
works, dances even clothing may show you clues about the “self.”
For the purposes of this lesson however, we will look at religious beliefs and political philosophies that
greatly influenced the mindset of each nation or culture. Since almost all the theories about the self, which were
discussed in the previous lessons, also came from the Western scientific research, we will highlight the eastern
thoughts in this lesson.
Confucianism can be seen as code of ethical conduct, of how one should properly act according to their
relationship with other people, thus it is also focused on having a harmonious social life (Ho 1995 116). The
identity and self-concept therefore of the individual is interwoven with the identity and status of his/her
community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures (Ho 1995, 116-117).
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 relationships (Ho 1995, 117). The cultivated self in
Confucianism is what some scholars call a “subdued self” wherein personal needs are repressed (subdued) for
the good of many, making Confucian society also hierarchal for the purpose of maintaining order and balance in
society (Ho 1995, 118).
The second philosophy is Taoism. For the purposes of discussion, Taoism is living in the way of the Tao
or the universe. However, Taoism rejects having one definition of what of the Tao is, and one can only state
clue of what it is as they adapt a free-flowing, relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical view of almost
everything. Taoism rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and would prefer simple.
Thus, its teaching aim to describe how to attain that life (Ho 1995, 119).
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 (Ho 1995. 120). 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 to change, forgetting about
prejudices and egocentric ideas and thinking about equality as well as complementary among humans as well as
other beings (Ho 1995. 120-121). In this way, you will be able to act spontaneously because you will not be
restricted by some legalistic standards but because you are in harmony with everything.

MA. RELIE V. AGUILOS

Course Facilitator
GE 101 Understanding the Self 1st Semester 2023-2024
The third belief is Buddhism. There are various groups who have adapted Buddhism thus you may find
differences in their teachings with our discussion but more likely, their core concepts remained the same. 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 the source of all these suffering (Ho 1995, 121). It is therefore our quest to forget about the
self, forget the cravings of the self, break the attachments you have with the word, and to renounce the self
which is the cause of all suffering and in doing so attain the state of Nirvana (Ho 1995. 122).
The self or the individuals is not the focus of the abovementioned Asian or Eastern philosophies or
belief. Even with extended discussions about how the self should work, Confucianism and Taoism still situates
the self within the bigger context. The person, in striving to a better person, does not create a self above 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.
Bearing the previous lessons in mind, 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.
One can also describe that the Western thought looks at the world in dualities wherein you are distinct
from the other person, the creator is separate from the objects s/he created, in which the self is distinguished and
acknowledged (Wolter 2012, 1). 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 (Wolter 2012, 1).
Several studies showed that 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 deemed positive for their self (Gleitman, Gross, and Reisberg 2011, 618).
Evaluation of the self also differs as Americans would highlight their personal achievement while Asians would
rather keep a low profile as promoting the self can be seen as boastfulness that disrupts social relationships
(Gleitman, Gross, and Reisberg 2011, 619).
The Western culture the is what we would call an individualistic culture since their focus is on the
person. Asian culture on the other hand as called a collectivistic culture as the group and social relations is
given more importance than individual needs and wants.
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 see (Qingxue 2003, 23-24;
27).
Westerners also emphasize more on the value of equality even if they see that the individual can rise
above everything else. Because everyone is on their own in the competition, one can say that they also promote
ideals that create a “fair” competition and protect individual. Asians, with their collective regard, puts more
emphasis on hierarchy – aa the culture wants to keep things in harmony and in order (Qingxue 2003, 25-26).
For example, Westerners would most likely call their boss, parents, or other seniors by their first name. The
boss can also be approached head-on when conflicts or problems about him/her arises. For Asians, we have
respectful terms for our seniors and a lot of workers would not dare go against the high ranking officials
(Qingxue 2003, 26-27).
It must be emphasized, however, that these are general commonalities among Western cultures as
compared to Asian or Oriental cultures. In the case of the Philippines, we 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 the social media, migration, and intermarriages, variety between the Western and Asian
perceptions may either be blurred or highlighted. Whereas conflict is investable in diversity, peace is also
possible through the understanding of where each of us is coming from.

MA. RELIE V. AGUILOS

Course Facilitator