The Self in Western and

Oriental/ Eastern Though

t
GROUP 4
 The Self in Western and
Oriental/ Eastern Thought

Different cultures and environment tend to create

different perceptions of the self and one of the most
common distinction between cultures and people is the
Eastern vs. Western wherein, Eastern represents Asia
and Western represents Europe and North America.
 Individualistic vs. Collective self

Individual Self
- The individual self concept is generally thought of
as our individual perceptions of our behaviors, abilities
and unique characteristics a mental picture of who you
are as a person. It is learned, not inherent.
- Aspect of the self that make a person unique and
separate from others.
 Individualistic vs. Collective self

Collective Self
- The collective self is based on impersonal
bonds to others that are shared identification with
a social group. The collective self has been
linked to individuals reactions and behaviors
toward other people especially to the other
groups.
The Social Construction of the Self in
Western Thought

The construct that is the self, plays a central role in

almost all perspectives of intellectual inquiry. To recall,
the self has been an area of interest by the French and
English philosophers and an entity whose proof of
existence is most challenging as is ascertained in the
early Greek philosophies of Socrates and Plato.
 The Social Construction of the self
in Western Thought

• Descartes believes that the cognitive basis of the person’s

thoughts is proof for the existence of the self. However;
• Kant believed that the self is capable of actions that entitles
it to have rights as an autonomous agent.
• Kant’s belief inspires the recognition of human rights as
important in the expression of individual freedom.
 The Social Construction of the self
in Western Thought

• The West introduced the ecological self which sees the self
as a process that is undergoing development. Human
biological and environmental characteristics like race,
gender, social status, education, and culture are factors that
influence self- development.
Immanuel Kant
 The Self as embedded in relationships
and through spiritual development
in Confucian thought
• The worldly concern of Confucianism rests upon the belief that
human beings are fundamentally good, and teachable, improvable,
and perfectible through personal and communal endeavor, especially
self-cultivation and self-creation.
• Confucian thought focuses on the cultivation of virtue in a morally
organized world. Some of the basic Confucian ethical concepts and
practices include Yi, Li and Xiao it is the essence of the human being
which manifests as compassion. It is the virtue-form of Heaven.
 Principle to be a Chun-tzu

• Li is the principle of self-restraint and sense of propriety, it

includes following social etiquette and mannerism.
• Xiao (Hsiao) is love for the immediate family and then
society.
• Yi is the principle of righteousness.
 Confucianism

• Confucianism is a system of ethics devised by the Chinese

scholar K’ung Fu-tzu (Confucius) in sixth century BC China.
• Self-cultivation/ Self-realization is seen as the ultimate
purpose of life.
• The Chun-tzu or man of virtue or noble character; commonly
translated as “gentleman” or “superior man” is, above all, a man
if self-cultivation.
Confucius
 Confucianism

• The self in Confucianism is a subdued self. It is

conditioned to respond to perceptions, not of its own needs
and aspiration, but of social requirements and obligation.
THANK YOU!
GROUP 4