SELF IN THE

WESTERN AND
O R I E N TA L / E A S T E R N

THOUGHTS 
K A M U S TA K A ?

TAR A! U S A P M U N A TAY O !
: )
 SELF IN WESTERN THOUGHT

• Western self as analytic. Since analytic and inductive modes of thinking were prominent for
person in western cultures, to see objects as divisible combinations of yet smaller objects. Real things
are not only visualized but immaterial things like thoughts, ideas and memories would be given
emphasis.

• Western self as monotheistic. Monotheism can be known as the rigid consequence of the doctrine of
normal human being. It is like forcing the concentration of supernatural capabilities.

• Western self as individualistic. The emphasis on individualism has direct and indirect effects on both
the presentation of self (in public ways) and the experience of the self (in private awareness).

• Western Self as materialistic and rationalistic. The western accentuation of rational, scientific
approach to reality has tended to define spiritual and immaterial phenomena as potentially
superstitious and dangerous. In any society, belief system is stratified and composed of a hierarchy of
interrelated, causal-explanatory models.
Self has been an area of interest by French and English philosophers, and evident in the ideas of Greek
philosophers like Socrates and Plato.

Rene Descartes in 17th century
emphasized the self in his dictum “I
think therefore I am” which claims that
cognitive basis of the person’s thoughts
is proof for the existence of the self.
Immanuel Kant believed that the self
is capable of actions that entitles it to
have rights as an autonomous agent.
     O R I E N TA L / E A S T E R N T H O U G H T S  

- The self is considered not in isolation but FOUR SECTIONS

in relation to others, society and the
universe. ONE'S RELATIONSHIP TO
OTHER IN THE WORLD
- The emphasis is relational rather than
individual.
CONSCIOUSNESS EMOTION
- Eastern theories are highly practical.
- They offer a variety of technique for
cultivating a deeper understanding of the FEELINGS
self.
 FOUR RELIGIONS
In Eastern philosophy, the most well-known conceptions of the self are represented by the views of
Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Hinduism (Ho, 1995; Mosig, 2006).

CONFUCIANI
SM TAOISM

BUDDHISM HINDUISM
   CONFUCIANISM

It can be seen as a 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.

Subdued Self – personal needs are repressed for

the good of many, making Confucian society
hierarchical for the purpose of maintaining order
and balance in society.
 Confucius was born in the period of the Zhou Dynasty
in 551 BCE in the state of Lu. He grew up poor although
he was descended from scholarly family.

 Confucius philosophy is known as humanistic

social philosophy which focusses on human beings and
the society in general.

 Confucianism is centered on REN

Ren -  is the Confucian virtue denoting 

the good quality of a virtuous human when being altruistic
. Ren is exemplified by a normal adult's protective feelings
for children. It is considered the outward expression of
Confucian ideals.
3 MAIN BELIEFS OF
CONFUCIANISM
• Yi - Rightness

• LI - Propriety

• Xiao - Filiality
    TA O I S M

It is concerned with living in the way of the Tao or

universe.

They adopt a free-flowing, relative, unitary, as

well as paradoxical view of almost everything.

It rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by

Confucianism and would prefer a simple lifestyle
and describes how to attain the same.
FIVE MAJOR FOUR
BELIEFS OF PRINCIPLE
TA O I S M OF TAOISM
- SIMPLICITY, PATIENCE,
COMPASSION
Genuineness - GOING WITH THE FLOW

Longevity - LETTING GO

Health - HARMONY

Immortality
Vitality
   BUDDHISM

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 sufferings.

It is our quest to forget about the self, forget

the cravings of the self, break the attachments
you have with the world, and renounce the self
which is the cause of all suffering and in doing
so, attain the state of Nirvana.
   BUDDHISM

- Comes from the root word “BUDH” meaning awake

- Siddharta Gautama known as buddha is the founder of buddhism.
- The world largest religion

The Five Precepts The Four Noble Truths

 -Refrain from taking life. Not killing any living
o They are the truth of suffering
being. -Refrain from taking what is not given. Not
o The truth of the cause of suffering
stealing from anyone.
o The truth of the end of suffering
 -Refrain from the misuse of the senses. Not having
o The truth of the path that leads to the end of
too much sensual pleasure.
 -Refrain from wrong speech. suffering.

 -Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind.

   HINDUISM

Hinduism is the world’s oldest religion, according to many scholars, with

roots and customs dating back more than 4,000 years.

Hinduism is unique in that it’s not a single religion but a compilation of

many traditions and philosophies.

Hinduism embraces many religious ideas. For this reason, it’s sometimes referred to as a “way of
life” or a “family of religions,” as opposed to a single, organized religion.

Hindus believe in the doctrines of samsara (the continuous cycle of life, death, and reincarnation)
and karma (the universal law of cause and effect).

One of the key thoughts of Hinduism is “atman,” or the belief in soul. This philosophy holds that
living creatures have a soul, and they’re all part of the supreme soul. The goal is to achieve
“moksha,” or salvation, which ends the cycle of rebirths to become part of the absolute soul.

Hindu worship, which is known as “puja,” typically takes place in the Mandir (temple). Followers of
Hinduism can visit the Mandir any time they please.
MOST PROMINENT HINDU DEITIES

 Brahma: the god responsible for the creation of the

world and all living things
 Vishnu: the god that preserves and protects the universe
 Shiva: the god that destroys the universe in order to
recreate it
 Devi: the goddess that fights to restore dharma
 Krishna: the god of compassion, tenderness and love
 Lakshmi: the goddess of wealth and purity
 Saraswati: the goddess of learning
INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF
VERSUS
COLLECTIVISTIC SELF
INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF

 Individualism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts toward
goals is the individual. This means that we can form our own independent judgments, act on our own thoughts,
and disagree with others.
 Each adult individual can consider what is in his own best interests. Each can act on his own private
motivations and values and can judge other people as good people to form relationships with, or as bad people to
be avoided. Each can decide whether to cooperate with others to solve problems. Each can choose to think for
himself about the conclusions that the majority of others in a group come to, accepting or rejecting their
conclusions as indicated by his own thought.
 In general, people tend to distance themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other. One may
choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one’s identity or success. Individualist
characteristics are often associated with men and people in urban settings.
 Western cultures are known to be individualistic.
COLLECTIVE SELF

 Collectivism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts toward
goals is not the individual, but some group. In different variants, this group may be the family, the city, the
economic class, the society, the nation, the race, or the whole human species. The group exists as a super-
organism separate from individuals: A group may make its own decisions, acts apart from the actions of
individuals, and has its own interests apart from those of the individuals that compose it.

 Under collectivism, individuals are analogous to ants in the protection of their queen ant. The
individual ant doesn’t have minds of their own, and generally cannot disagree with the hive. Any ant that acts
in a way contrary to the interests of the group is a malfunctioning ant. If an ant does not follow the certain
pattern of how they protect their queen, it will be entirely unable to support itself, find other ants that support
other queen ant and will surely die in short order. If the malfunctioning ant stays within the group, it will be a
threat to the line appropriate to protecting the queen ant.

 Asian countries are known to be collective in nature.

INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF COLLECTIVISTIC SELF

It is the group or social

It's focus is on the person relations that is given more
himself.  importance than individual
needs and wants. 
 Competition

WESTERN
Strightforward and
INDIVIDUALISTIC 
SELF
forceful
communication
Fairness and equality
 Cooperation

EASTERN
COLLECTIVE 
Compromising
SELF communication

Hierarchy
GROUP
1
• MATE, TEMMELIE JOY B.
THANK
YOU FOR
• ROLDAN, PAULA BLANCA M.

• ALMARIO, MARK C.

• PERDIGONES, JERALD C.

•
BELDA, RICK KEVIN A.

DELA TRINIDAD, CHRISTIAN A.

LISTENIN
G
 References:
• Alata, EJ., Caslib, BN., Serafica, JP., and Pawilen, RA (2018). Understanding the Self. Rex Book
Store. 856 Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, Manila
•Arcega, A M., Cullar, D. S., Evangelista, L. D. & Falculan, L. M. (2018). Understanding the Self.
Malabon
•City: Mutya Publishing House Inc.
•Gazzingan, L. B. et al. (2019). Understanding the Self. Muntinlupa City: Panday-Lahi
Publishing House, Inc.
•Alata, E.J.P., Caslib, B.N., Serafica, J.P.J., Pawilen, R.A. (2018). Unsertanding the Self. Rex
Book Store
•Inc., Sta Mesa Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
Write an essay (max of 200 words) with the
title:

"Am I Individualistic or Collective?"

Elaborate on the ways and means wherein

you act in an individualistic or collective
way. 

MUST BE 1 PAGE ONLY.