The Western and

Eastern Concepts of Self

 
Learning Outcomes

• Understand the Western concept of self.

• Enumerate and discuss the different Eastern conceptions
of self.
• Compare Eastern and Western view of the self.
• Examine your own conceptualization of self.
Aspects of the Western Self

Western Self as Analytic

• Western way of thinking is analytic-deductive with emphasis on the causal
links (part-to-whole relationships). The whole is understood when
differentiated into parts. One must categories and make distinctions to
pursue cause.
Western Self as Monotheistic
• The belief in one Supreme Being coexisting with the universe condensed the
supernatural and human capabilities into bipolarity of both qualities of
existence (e.g. beautiful/ugly, kind/cruel, sacred/profane, strong/weak,
etc.) and categories of identity or experience (e.g., God/Satan, body/soul,
love/lust, sinner/saint, etc.)
Aspects of the Western Self

Western Self as Individualistic

• Western individualism exhibits the coexistence of favorable and
unfavorable conditions inherent in personal freedom. Although the
right for individual freedom provides opportunities for self-
fulfillment, it also increases the likelihood to experience alienation
and frustration.
Western Self as Materialistic and Rationalistic
• Western way of thinking is focused on material “things” and favors a
rational-empirical approach over magical and superstitious
explanation of immaterial “things”.
The Self in Four Great Systems of Eastern Thought

1. Hinduism
2. Buddhism
3. Confucianism
4. Taoism
Hinduism

• The Hindus concept of self is expounded in Vedanta, a major

school of Indian thought, and is based on Upanishads, the classical
Indian philosophical treatises. It has been stated that Brahman is
an Absolute Reality, and Atman (soul or spirit), the true knowledge
of self, is identical to Brahman.
• Vedanta characterizes human suffering as result of failure to
realize the distinction between the true self (permanent and
unchanging) and the nontrue self (impermanent and changes
continually).
Is Brahman a God?

• Brahma is the first god in the Hindu triumvirate, which consist of

three gods, responsible for creation and destruction of the world.
• The other two gods are Vishnu , the preserver of the universe and
Shiva’s role is to destroy and to re-create.
 “The true self to be realized is the passive, uninvolved self-as-witness, not an
active ego with a sense of sovereignty to know, to act, and to enjoy/suffer.”

• The goal of man is to have a knowledge of the true reality –

Brahman.

• Self-realization is being united to all-embracing Brahman. But the

realization of the true selfhood will result to a complete
dissolution of individual identity.
Buddhism

Siddharta Gautama – Buddha

“The Awakened One”
• Nothing exists independently of
anything else.
• The self is the center of
relationships.
• The self as a dynamic process of
spiritual development.
In Buddhist philosophy

• Man is just a title for the summation of the five parts (matter,
sensation, perception, mental constructs, and consciousness) that
compose the individual, however each of the parts distinctly is not
man.
• The basic doctrines of early buddhism, include four noble truths:
1. dukkha, existence is suffering
• 2.trishna suffering has a cause which is craving and attachment
• 3.Nirvana, there is a cessation of suffering. The eightfold path
Eightfold Path

1. Right understanding
2. Right Thought
3. Right Speech
4. Right Action
5. RightLivelihood
6. Right Effort
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration
Simplifying Life

1. Right Speech, Abstention from telling lies backbite, slander, talk

about hatred, harsh, rude, impolite, malicious, abusive
language, gossip.
2. Right Action, promoting moral, honorable peaceful conduct.
3. Right Livelihood,abstain from making one’s living brings harm to
others
Mental Discipline

1. Right Effort- energetic to prevent evil Produce cause to arise

good. To develop wholesome state of mind.
2. Right Mindfulness, to be diligently aware, mindful and attentive
with regard to body activities, sensations, feelings ideas and
activities of the mind.
3. Right Concentration, trance
WISDOM

• 1. RIGHT THOUGHT, THOUGHT OF DETACHMENT, THOUGHT OF

LOVE, THOUGHT OF NON-VIOLENCE.
2. RIGHT UNDERSTANDING, UNDERSTANDING OF THINGS AS THEY
ARE
MIND IS FREE FROM ALL IMPURITOES
 Confucius is believed to have lived from
c. 551 to c. 479 BCE in the state of Lu.

Chief among his philosophical

ideas is the importance of a
virtuous life, filial piety and
ancestor worship. Also
emphasized is the necessity for
benevolent and frugal rulers,
the importance of inner moral
harmony and its direct
connection with harmony in the
physical world and that rulers
and teachers are important role
models for wider society.
Confucianism

• Confucian doctrines are found in the Analects

(Conversations of Confucius).
• The core of Confucian thought is the Golden Rule
or the principle of reciprocity: “Do not do to
others what you would not want others to do to
you”.
• The basic virtue or proper conduct is knowing
how to act in relation to others.
The most important of relationships are the Five Cardinal
Relationships: between ruler and minster, between father and son,
between husband and wife, between brothers, and between friends.

• Hence, the self is known as a relational self.

• Another important feature in Confucian thought is

the individual’s greatest mission of attaining self-
realization wherein self-cultivation is
instrumental. Self-cultivation could be
accomplished by knowing one’s role in the society
and act accordingly.
The self is a subdued self:

• Moral character is perfected through continuously

taking every opportunity to improve oneself in
thought and action. There will be harmonious
relationship when individuals follow the rules of
proper social behavior. The individual is set to
respond to what is socially required rather than
to one’s personal needs and goals.
The Tao Chi (Yin-Yang diagram) is an example
of the value of harmony with the environment.

It is also applied to the

concept of health for
energy (qi/chi), balance
for disease prevention,
healing, and the
development of human
potential.
Taoism

• Taoism is a Chinese counterculture. Taoists rejects the

Confucian idea of a relational self. To them, the self is
an extension of the cosmos, not of social relationships.
• The self is described as one of the limitless forms of the
Tao.
• The Tao is commonly regarded as Nature that is the
foundation of all that exists.
• It is not bounded by time and space. The ideal is to
identify with the Tao. The perfect man has no self.
Selflessness is attained when the distinction
between “I” and “other” dissolves.

• Consequently, the individual may

behave spontaneously, just going with
the flow of the Tao.
• The selfless person leads to a balanced
life, in harmony with both nature and
society.
There is oneness of the Tao.

• Taoists believe that simplicity, spontaneity,

and harmony with nature should govern
one’s life. Individuals must seek to
understand and act in accordance with the
natural order. There should be unity and
harmony among opposing elements: the Yin
and Yang.
 Comparison:
Western and Eastern Concepts of Self
Frame of Reference

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• There is a separation • Religion and
between philosophy philosophy are
and intertwined.
religion/spirituality.
Source of Knowledge

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• Has made use of • Has trusted
reason rather than intuition and is
faith to pursue often associated
wisdom. with religious
beliefs.
Emphasis

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• Distinctions and • Commonalities and
oppositions harmonies
View of the Universe and Life

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• Linear • Circular
View of Self

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• Egocentric • Sociocentric
Ideal (Goal in Life)

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• Self-actualization • To achieve a
through personal balanced life and
growth find one’s role in
society.
Cultural Framework

Western Thought Eastern Thought

• Individualism • Collectivism
Individualism

• The self is a distinct and autonomous

entity; it is an independent part of the
universe and the society.
• Independence and self-reliance are core
values.
• Prioritize personal goals over group goals.
Individualism

• Characterized by exchange relationship

• Uniqueness, sense of direction, purpose
and volition are the acknowledged
features of self.
• Personal success is important.
Collectivism

• The self is an integrated part of the universe

and the society.
• Interdependence and connectedness are core
values.
• No distinctions between personal and group
goals, or if there is a distinction, the personal
goals are subordinate to the group goals.
Collectivism

• Characterized by communal
relationship
• Conformity and obedience are essential
social behaviors.
• Duty towards all others is important.
Activity

• Sentence Completion Test: Fill in each

blank with the first answer that comes
to your mind.
Using a chart, categorize your responses in the sentence completion
test above.

Individual Self: Collective Self:

Unique personal traits,
skills, abilities and
hobbies
Beliefs, values, and
characteristics which are
socially shared within a
group

   

   
Reflection (to be written in your journal)

• The strengths and weaknesses of the Filipino character have

their roots in the Western and Eastern traditions.
• Reflect on and make an introspective essay about your
character as a Filipino, using the following guide questions:

1. What are your Western, Eastern, and Filipino Characteristics that can help you
succeed in life?
2. Are you happy for having those combination of traits?
3. How do you appreciate your uniqueness as a Filipino? How do you feel as a Filipino?