THE SELF IN

WESTERN AND
EASTERN
THOUGHTS
Eastern- also called Oriental;
represents Asia.
Western- represents Europe and
Northern America.
EASTERN THOUGHT
Confucianism
Taoism
Buddhism
CONFUCIANISM
 Confucianism believes in ancestor
workship and human-centered virtues for
living a peaceful life. The golden rule of
Confucianism is “Do not do unto others
what you would not want others to do unto
you.”
CONFUCIANISM
 CONFUCIANISM
It is concerned with inner
virtue, morality, and
respect for the community
and its values.
CONFUCIANISM
 TAOISM
Taoism holds that humans
and animals should live in
balance with the Tao, or
the universe. Taoists
believe in spiritual
immortality, where the
spirit of the body joins the
universe after death.
 TAOISM
 The Tao (or Dao) is hard to
define but is sometimes
understood as the way of the
universe. Taoism teaches that
all living creatures ought to
live in a state of harmony
with the universe, and the
energy found in it.
 BUDDHISM
Buddhism is one of the world's
largest religions, having originated in
India 2,500 years ago. Buddhists
believe that human life is a cycle of
suffering and rebirth, but that if one
achieves a state of enlightenment
(nirvana), it is possible to escape this
cycle forever. 
 BUDDHISM
Buddhists do not believe
in any kind of deity or
god, although there are
supernatural figures who
can help or hinder people
on the path towards
enlightenment.
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

The focus is always looking

towards the self.
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE
Western philosophy has its roots
in Athens, Rome and Judeo-
Christianity.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EASTERN
AND WESTERN THOUGHTS.
Eastern Thought
 The eastern philosophy is drawn much
more into groups or society or people’s
actions and thoughts as one in order to
find meaning in life as they try to get rid
of the false “me” concept and find
meaning in discovering the true “me” in
relation to everything around them, or an
as part of a bigger scheme.
 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EASTERN
AND WESTERN THOUGHTS.

Western Thought
In contrast, the Western civilization is
more individualistic, trying to find the
meaning of life here and now with
self at the center as it is already given
and part of the divine.
THANK YOU
FOR LISTENING!