MODULE 2020

THE SELF IN WESTERN ORIENTAL /

EASTERN THOUGHT

GEED 10023

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

e- Education Approach

Prepared by:

TACIANA V.SAN JOSE, RGC, RPm, MP

( WEEK- 7 ) pg. 1
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EASTERN THOUGHT
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of this lesson, the students 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 Asian thoughts; and
3. Create a representation of the Filipino self.

INTRODUCTION
➢ Different Cultures and varying environment tend to create different perception of the
“self”
➢ The most common distinction between cultures and the people is the Eastern-Vs-
Western dichotomy wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western represents Europe
and Northern America.
➢ This distinction and the countries included were politically colored.
➢ The aforementioned concepts were accepted and used in the social sciences.
➢ Countries that are geographically closer to each other may share commonalities
➢ There are also a lot of factors that create differences.
➢ In the Philippines, each region may have a similar or varying perception regarding the
“self.”

LESSON PROPER
“One of the most effective ways to learn about oneself is by taking seriously the cultures
of others. It forces you to pay attention to those details of life which differentiate them from
you.” - Edward T. Hall

❖ There are a lot of sources in which you can analyze the perspective of each
culture and country about the concept of “self.”

Example:
❖ 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 boss or their
subordinate.
❖ Artworks, dances, even clothing may show you clues about the “self.”

CONCEPT OF SELF
❖ There are a lot of sources in which we can analyze the perspective of each culture and
country about the concept of the “self.”

✓ LITERATURE -like how one depicts a hero or villain in their stories in different
Countries, like USA, China, Korea, etc.

✓ SOCIALIZATION -Like how they see their boss or their subordinate.

✓ ARTWORKS, DANCES, EVEN CLOTHING -This thing may show us clues about the Self.

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THE SELF IN EASTERN THOUGHTS

CONFUCIANISM
o Can be seen as code of ethical conduct.
o Of how one should properly act according to their relationship with other
people.
o It is also focused on having a harmonious social life (Ho, 1995).
o The identity and self-concept of the individual are interwoven with the identity
and status of his/her community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failure
(Ho, 1995).

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 social relationships (Ho,
1995).

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).

3 ESSENTIAL CORE VALUES OF CONFUCIANISM:

• FILIAL PIETY –respect for elders
• HUMANENESS-goodness
• RITUAL-proper conduct

5 BASIC VIRTUES OF CONFUCIANISM:

• Ren – benevolence, humaneness
• Yi – righteous, justice
• Li – proper, rite
• Zhi – knowledge
• Xin - integrity

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TAOISM
o Is living in the way of the Tao or the universe.
o They reject having one definition of what the Tao is.
o One can only state clues of what it is as they adopt a free-flowing, relative,
unitary, as well as paradoxical view of almost everything.
o They reject the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism
o Would prefer a simple lifestyle and its teaching thus aim to describe how to
attain that life
o (HO, 1995).

SELF
➢ It is part of the universe
➢ One of the forms and manifestations of the Tao (HO, 1995).

IDEAL SELF
➢ Is selflessness but this is not forgetting about 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 complementarity among humans as well as other beings (HO, 1995).

BUDDHISM
o There are various groups who have adopted Buddhism.

SELF
➢ Is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold and control things,
or human-centered needs.
➢ Is also the source of all these suffering (HO, 1995).
QUEST TO FORGET ABOUT THE SELF
➢ Forget the cravings of the self
➢ Break the attachments you have with the world
➢ To renounce the self which is the cause of all suffering and in doing so.
➢ Attain the state of Nirvana (HO, 1995).

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THE SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHTS
➢ Looks at the world in dualities wherein you are distinct from the other person (Wolter,
2012).

SEVERAL STUDIES SHOWED THAT:

AMERICAN
➢ Talk more about their personal attributes when describing themselves.

ASIANS
➢ General talk about their social roles or the social situations that invoked certain traits
that they deem positive for their selves (Gleitman, Gross, and Reisberg 2011).

WESTERN EASTERN

SELF-DESCRIPTIONS

Americans - talk more about their personal Asians - in general talk about their social roles or
attributes when describing themselves; the social situations that invoked certain traits that
they deem positive for their selves.

SELF-EVALUATIONS

Americans - would highlight their personal Asians - would rather keep a low profile as
achievements promoting the self can be seen as boastfulness
that disrupts social relationships

Western vs. Eastern Thoughts

INDIVIDUALISTIC culture - focus is on the COLLECTIVIST culture - the group and social
person relations is given more importance than
individual needs and wants

Talk more about their personal attributes Talk about their social roles or the social
when describing themselves. situations that invoked certain traits that they
deem positive for their selves.

highlight their personal achievements keep a low profile as promoting the self can be
seen as boastfulness that disrupts social
relationships.

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THE SELF IN WESTERN ORIENTAL /

EASTERN THOUGHT
Looks at the world in DUALITIES wherein you
are distinct from the other person, the
creator is separate from the object he
created.
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.

WESTERN THOUGHTS

➢ They give higher value with their personal rights.

➢ The western society is trying to find and prove the "truth."

EASTERN THOUGHTS

➢ Giving more value to social responsibility.

➢ Accepting the reality of life (fact) and interested in maintaining the balance of life.

Assignment

Write your responses in the sentence completion activity below:

1. My beliefs, values , and characteristics which are socially shared within a group
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

2. What are the Western Countries?

3. What are the Eastern Countries?

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SOURCES AND REFERENCES:

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Prepared by:

TACIANA V. SAN JOSE, RGC, RPm, MP

Instructor

( WEEK- 7 ) pg. 8
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EASTERN THOUGHT

( WEEK- 7 ) pg. 9