VIEWPOINTS OF POSITIVE

PSYCHOLOGY
(Eastern and Western Perspective)

Positive Psychology
DYPSYPos313
Episode 3
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE - ATHENIAN VIEWS

Athenian view stems from the discussion of virtue

and human strength on which Plato and Aristotle
focused heavily in their teachings in Ancient Greece.
Aristotle after expanding Plato’s ideas regarding
virtue, detailed eleven moral virtues: courage,
moderation, generosity, munificence (this relates to
money spending at an appropriate level),
magnificence (described as “greatness of soul”),
even temper, friendliness, truthfulness, wit
(describing the ability to laugh and have fun at an
appropriate level), justice, and friendship
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE - ATHENIAN VIEWS
Aristotle described intellectual virtues, mainly associated with
ideas regarding wisdom and believed that ”strength of character,
as inculcated by the political community, would lead to enduring
human excellence”.
Aristotle and Plato also emphasized the influence that political
community, termed polis, has on the development and
maintenance of these virtues. This community is a necessity in
helping the average individual to self-actualize with regard to
virtue; he stated that it was only within a life of order and
sanction that one could rise above hedonistic (pleasure –
seeking) desire and become truly virtuous.
In this view, people with good human virtue create such a
community and then can provide a good model for others so that
the masses also develop such human excellence.
EXAMPLE: ATHENIAN VIEWS
To understand the Aristotelian Principle, we first need to grasp how the
ancient Greek philosopher viewed humans.
the best that we can be as well as
how we may achieve our personal
potentials
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE - JUDEO-CHRISTIANS
The basic moral principles upheld in many western societies
primarily stem from Biblical principles. The Bible contains
discussions of virtues in many chapters and verses.
Christianity offers the view that no matter what one struggles
with in this life, struggles are only temporary and in eternity, all
things will be made right.
Some scholars have made the case for a theological approach
informed by the positive psychology perspective, focusing on
what goes right in the world, human strengths, and the goodness
of God’s character rather than focusing on the fallen human
condition, these scholars suggest that attention should center on
God’s compassion, mercy, grace, and love. Humans are formed
in the image of God, and embracing this identity provides
grounds to foster happiness.
EXAMPLE: THE BIBLE

The Seven Heavenly Virtues is

a classic interpretation
of seven basic concepts that
will lead our soul to glory. 

The Ten Commandments are a

set of biblical principles relating
to ethics and worship and was
also cited as directives toward
cultivating certain strengths
within the Jewish tradition. 
EASTERN PERSPECTIVE - CONFUCIANISM

• Confucius held that leadership and education are central

to morality. He emphasized morality as a potential cure
for the evils of that time.
• The principles of Confucianism are laden with quotations
that encourage looking out for others. (Golden Rule “Do
unto others as you would want them to do unto you”).
• The attainment of virtue is at the core of Confucian
teachings. Confucian followers must strive to make wise
decisions based on virtues; this continual striving leads
the Confucian follower to enlightenment, or the good life.
EXAMPLE: CONFUCIANISM
The five virtues deemed central to living a moral existence
Ren is the virtue of benevolence, charity,
and humanity
Yi is the virtue of honesty and uprightness
Li is the virtue of propriety, politeness and
good manners.
Zhi is the virtue of knowledge, prudence and
wisdom.
Xin is the virtue of faithfulness and integrity
the good quality of a virtuous
human when being altruistic
involves a moral disposition to
do good, and also the intuition and
sensibility to do so competently
dictates what constitutes correct
behavior in different kinds of
relationship
can be acquired from studying and
learning from others
inspires trust
EASTERN PERSPECTIVE - TAOISM
• Lao-Tzu’s followers must live according to the Tao translated as “the
Way” referring simultaneously to direction, movement, method, and
thought.
• Tao is the energy surrounding and flowing through everyone, and The
Way must be achieved through experience, rather than teaching alone. In
this process, both good and bad experiences can both contribute to a
greater understanding of the Way.
• Achieving naturalness and spontaneity in life is the most important goal
in Taoist philosophy. The virtues of humanity, justice, temperance, and
propriety must be practiced by the virtuous individual without effort.
• One who has achieved transcendence within this philosophy does not
have to think about optimal functioning but behaves virtuously naturally.
EXAMPLE: Taoism
Taoism focuses more on isolation of the self, here are some key points regarding
Taoism and its relations to positive psychology

Taoism does not identify man's will as the root problem. Rather, it asserts that man
must place his will in harmony with the natural universe. Taoist philosophy
recognizes that the Universe already works harmoniously according to its own
ways; if a person exerts his will against or upon the world he would disrupt the
harmony that already exists, he would go ‘against the flow of life’.
EASTERN PERSPECTIVE - BUDDHISM
• Founded by Siddhartha Gautama, seeking the good of others is
woven throughout the teachings of “the Master” of “the
Enlightened One” (Buddha), which state that life is full of
suffering brought on by human desire and attachment.
• There is, however, a possible end to the suffering through
transcendence and ultimate understanding. Nirvana is a state in
which the self is freed from desire for anything.
• Virtues are of utmost importance, and include love, joy,
compassion, and composure. The paths to achieving these
virtues within Buddhism requires humans to divorce themselves
from the human emotion of desire to put an end to suffering.
EXAMPLE: Buddhism - The Four Noble Truths
The Truth of Suffering (Dikkha)
• Suffering includes not only pain and distress caused by adversities, but also mental vexation, frustration,
disappointment, and anxiety that come from greed, ignorance and attachments to worldly possession.
The Truth of the Cause of Suffering (Tanha)
• Suffering comes from craving for happiness and aversion of pain. Craving for happiness necessarily causes us to fear or
reject anything that causes unhappiness or pain. Attachment to possession and achievement invariably leads to
disappointment and disillusionment, because everything is impermanent.
The Truth of Liberation from suffering (Nirvana)
• We can be liberated from suffering by transforming our craving and aversion through enlightenment. When we attain
this state of perfect peace, serenity and compassion, we are free from greed, hatred and delusion. This state also
transcends all dualities, such as death and rebirth.
The Truth of the Eightfold Path (Magga)
• Liberation through enlightenment can be achieved through the eightfold path. The eight disciplines can be grouped
into three categories:
• Morality – right speech, right action, right living, right effort
• Meditation – right mindfulness, right meditation
• Wisdom – right thought, right understanding
EASTERN PERSPECTIVE - HINDUISM
The main teachings of the Hindu tradition emphasize the
interconnectedness of all the things. The idea of a harmonious union
among all individuals is woven throughout the teachings of Hinduism,
which refer to a “single, unifying principle underlying all of Earth”.
One’s goal within this tradition would be to live life so fully and so
correctly that one would go directly to the afterlife without to repeat
life’s lessons in a reincarnated form.
Hindu teachings are very clear about the qualities one must embody
to avoid reincarnation: “To return to this world is an indication of
one’s failure to achieve ultimate knowledge of one’s self”. Thus, the
quest of one’s life is to attain ultimate self-knowledge and to strive for
ultimate self-betterment.
EXAMPLE: Hinduism
“Karma” is the view of causality in which
good deeds, words, thoughts, and
commands lead to beneficial effects for a
person, and bad deeds, words, thoughts,
and commands lead to harmful effects.
These effects are not necessarily immediate
but can be visited upon a soul in future lives
through reincarnation; additionally, good or
bad fortune experienced in life may be the
result of good or bad actions performed in a
past life.
• Both perspectives incorporate ideas about the
importance of virtue, along with human
strengths, as people move toward a good life.
• Similarities can also be drawn among the
different ideologies, especially in the types of
human qualities and experiences that are valued.
• Eastern and Western ideologies stem from very
different historical events and traditions.
Individualism for Western and Collectivism for
Eastern perspective.
• It is important to remember that neither is better
than the other.