THE SELF IN

WESTERN AND
ORIENTAL/ EASTERN
THOUGHT

Module 1: Lesson 5

Prepared by
Marissa P. Panogaling, PhD
 Objectives

1. Discuss the conceptualizations of the self from

Western and Oriental/Eastern thought; and
2. Examine the different influences, factors, and
Western and Oriental/Eastern thought forces
that shape the self.

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Big Question!
Do differences in terms of
Western and Oriental/Eastern
culture, values, norms, and
practices affect the self?
 Introduction

• Different cultures and varying

environment tends to create
different perceptions of the “self”.
• One of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is
the Eastern vs. Western dichotomy.
• Eastern represents Asia while Western represents Europe and Northern
America.
• Oftentimes we associate western thought with individualism and
eastern/oriental with collectivism. 4
The Social Construction of the Self in Eastern and Western
Thought

Individualism Collectivism
Individualist culture is a culture in Collectivist culture is a culture in
which the goals of the individual which the goals of the group take
take precedence over the goals precedence over the goals of the
of the group. individual.
It is characterized by individual It is characterized by group unity
autonomy; self-oriented; personal and harmony; group-oriented;
goals; unique and independent; group goals; conforming and
individual privacy; nuclear family; interdependent; group
individual rewards (equity); belongingness; extended family;
competition. equal distribution of reward 5

(equality); cooperation.
In other words, in an individualist culture, members are
responsible for themselves and, perhaps, their immediate
families. In a collectivist culture, members are
responsible for the group as a whole. In an individualist
culture, success is measured by how far one stands out
from the crowd. Ex: self-made millionaires, employees of
the month, standing out. In a collectivist culture, success
is measured by one’s contributions to the group as a
whole. Ex: loyalty to company or country, specialized
skills, fitting in. 6
Countries with Generally Countries with Generally
Individualistic Cultures Collectivistic Cultures
 United States  China
 Australia  Taiwan
 United Kingdom  India
 Canada  Pakistan
 Netherlands  Bangladesh
 Hungary (post-communist generation)  Indonesia
 New Zealand  Afghanistan
 Italy  Malaysia
 Belgium  Egypt
 Sweden  Cyprus
 Ireland  Ghana
 Norway  Nepal
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 Switzerland  Argentina
 German  Armenia
 Religious Beliefs
Religious beliefs have generally influenced the culture of
different countries as well as the self.
Confucianism
This 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 (Ho 1995, 116).
The cultivated self in Confucianism is what some scholars
call a “subdued self” wherein personal needs are repressed
for the good of many, making Confucian society also
hierarchical for the purpose of maintaining order and 8

balance in society (Ho 1995, 118).

 Confucianism
Confucianism believes in ancestor worship
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.”

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/confucianism/

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 Taoism
Living in the way of the Tao or the universe.
Taoism rejects having one definition of what
the Tao is, and one can only state clues of
what it is as they adapt a free-flowing,
relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical view
of almost everything.
The self is not just an extension of the family
or the community; it is part of the universe,
one of the forms and manifestations of the
Tao (Ho 1995, 120). 10
 Taoism

Taoists believe in spiritual immortality, where the

spirit of the body joins the universe after death.
The Tao Te Ching, or “The Way and Its Power,” is a
collection of poetry and sayings from around the
third and fourth centuries B.C.E. that guides Taoist
thought and actions.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/taoism/
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 Buddhism
This believes that 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 suffering (Ho 1995,
121).
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 Buddhism

Buddhism is one of the world's largest religions

and originated 2,500 years ago in India. Buddhists
believe that human life is one of suffering and
that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and
good behavior are the ways to achieve
enlightenment or nirvana.

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/buddhism/
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Thank
you.

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