EASTERN AND

WESTERN THOUGHT
CHAPTER 1: THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVE
E. THE SELF IN WESTERN AND ORIENTAL/EASTERN THOUGHTS
 MODULE OVERVIEW
 

• As an Asian people, Filipinos tend to be having the mentality

that western people are far more superior than those of the
eastern. This may be a result of the colonial mentality instilled to
us during the colonial era. But just as like we appreciate things
that is associated to western country, they too appreciates whats
in the eastern. While we appreciate burgers and hotdogs, they
too appreciates adobo and sinigang.
MODULE OVERVIEW
 

• From the above mentioned premises, one can tell that it is

not only the eastern people who adore others culture and
traditions, the western loves eastern culture. Equally, both
have rich cultures. We always have been oriented the
teachings of the western philosophers, but on the other
hand eastern has equally intelligent philosophers.
MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Distinguish the eastern from the western construct of the self;

2. Differentiate the individualistic self from the collective self;
2. Explain the spirituality and philosophy of Confucius. 
I. INDIVIDUALISTIC VS. COLLECTIVE SELF

• In ancient times, Plato notion of reality is dual, soul leaves the body and
the body may be thrown on oblivion. Descartes on the other hand is on the
same stand with Aristotle’s Hylemorphic Theory believing that man
comprises matter (body) and form (soul) which are equally important and
that the two must exist and dependent with each other. The difference
comes with the discussion of Descartes that the body gathers information
through our senses and one’s reason processes all the information, making
sense with the experiences of the body.
I. INDIVIDUALISTIC VS. COLLECTIVE SELF

• To solve the issue of the duality of the self, Descartes fused the body and
soul as residing in a person’s pineal gland. Although western thought
stands to make the psyche collective, its nature is still dual. Such duality
becomes the reason why one strives for the perfection of self. Such that,
when we study and achieved a good future and eventually achieved this,
then we can say that perfection of the soul is achieved. But if one fails to
attain what the soul strives to become, then the self is wasted, as the ideals
of the soul is to achieve the ultimate goodness (arete)
I. INDIVIDUALISTIC VS. COLLECTIVE SELF

•The eastern thoughts also wants to attain perfection of the self

through meditation and enlightenment, hence, the “dualism” matters is
not an issue. For the eastern, people only possess a “One Self” and has
no separation of the body and soul. The self in the oriental thought is
collective, while on the other hand, the self for the western people is
individualistic.
II. THE SELF ACCORDING TO BUDDHISM

• Buddhism philosophy believes that the religion is a way of life and

The eastern thoughts also wants to attain perfection of the self
through meditation and enlightenment, hence, the “dualism” matters
is not an issue. For the eastern, people only possess a “One Self” and
has no separation of the body and soul. The self in the oriental
thought is collective, while on the other hand, the self for the western
people is individualistic.
II. THE SELF ACCORDING TO BUDDHISM

To live a moral life, to be mindful and aware of

thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom
and understanding is its main teaching.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTH

1. Life is suffering. Life does not solely offer the kind of living a
person sees it to be. Attached with the pleasures is the reality that
sufferings are included in life and can not be avoided.
2. Suffering is caused by craving and aversion. Lack of
contentment results to suffering. Human needs are never ending,
and getting what one wants does not guarantee happiness. Thus, to
attain happiness, wants should be modified.
THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTH

3. Suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained. When one

learns to live each day at a time and is able to give up unnecessary cravings,
then man can possibly attain happiness and freedom.
4. Eight Fold Path is the path which leads to the end of suffering. Being
moral, being fully aware of thoughts and action, developing wisdom by
understanding the 4 Noble Truth , and developing compassion for other will
lead to the end of suffering.
 III. THE SELF ACCORDING TO CONFUCIANISM

• Confucius philosophy of life stand with the idea that life is a living reality,
a blessing, a natural priceless right and opportunity to be with others to
work together for common good to attain happiness. Thus, the threat for
social order is selfishness. In the Confucian philosophy, the principle of
ren characterized the self possessing compassion for others. The self for
Confucius is the person within the society who exhibit refinement and
compassion (Junzi). Such principle connotes that this new self or Junzi is
formed through education under the virtuous teacher as the role model.