Chapter 3 Concept of Self: Eastern Philosophy

module 4

• The Eastern intellectual traditions varies approach to issues about selfhood.

Thus, the Eastern thought is described as pluralistic (Garcia, 2013). They
share the same goal- to teach how to become a perfect person. (Villaba,
1995)
• THE SELF IN 4 GREAT SYSTEM OF EASTERN THOUGHT.
• Hinduism
• Hindu concept of self is expounded in Vedanta
• Vedanta – is a major school of Indian thoughts based on Upanishads
• Uphanishads – the classical Indian philosophical treatises.
• Brahman – is an absolute reality
• Atman (soul or spirit) is the true knowledge of self.
• Vedanta characterizes human sufferings as the result of failure to
realize the distinction between the true self and the non-true self.
• The goal of a person is to have the knowledge of the true reality-
Brahman.
• Self Realization is always united in embracing Brahman, but
realization of a true selfhood will result to complete dissolution of
individual identity. (Ho, 1995)
• Law of Karma – is the most important doctrine of Hinduism.
Therefore, the individual is the only one responsible for the
consequence of his actions (Garcia, 2008).
• Hindus believe that Atman being an immortal soul continues to be
reincarnated from lifetime to lifetime until it is freed from the cycle of
rebirth and reaches the state of nirvana or non birth (Garcia, 2008)
• In the present lifetime, people can change what they will become in
future lives.
BUDDHISM
• Siddharta Gautama (Buddha) – is the founder of Buddhism
• Budh – means awake. Hence, the opening of the eye would lead to
understanding more about the self and the world.
• Every person has the seed of enlightenment, but the seed has to be nurtured
(Mansukhani, 2013)
• FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS ( basic principles of Buddhism)
• 1. Life is suffering.
• 2. suffering is caused by attachment to desires.
• 3. suffering can be eliminated
• 4. elimination of suffering is through the practice of the Eightfold Path.
EIGHTFOLD PATH
• 1. Right View 5. Right Livelihood
• 2. Right Aspiration 6.Right Effort
• 3. Right Speech 7. Right Mindfulness
• 4. Right Action 8. Right Concentration
• In Buddhist philosophy, man is just a title for the summation of the
five parts:
• 1. matter 2. sensation, 3. perception 4. mental constructs 5.
consciousness. , however each of the part is not man, (Villaba, 1995)
COnFUCIANISM
• ANALECTS –(Conversation of Confucius) –is where the Confucian doctrines can be found.
• Golden Rule ( principle of reciprocity) –the core of Confucian thought
• “ Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you”.
• Basic virtue or proper conduct – knowing how to act in relation to others.
• Five Cardinal Relationships
• 1. between ruler and minster
• 2. between father and son
• 3. between husband and wife
• 4. between brothers
• 5. between friends
• Another important feature in Confucian thought is the individual’s
greatest mission of self-realization wherein self cultivation is
instrumental.
• Self cultivation could be accomplished by knowing one’s role in
society and acting accordingly.
• The individual is set to respond to what is socially required rather
than to one’s personal needs and goal. Here, the self is subdued self
(Ho, 1995)
TAOISM
• Taoism – is a Chinese counterculture
• For Taoism, self is an extension of the cosmos and not of social relationships.
• Self is described as one of the limitless form of the Tao (Ho, 1995)
• Tao – is regarded as Nature that is the foundation of all that exists. (Garcia 2008).
• Taoism (Way) – means Living simply, honestly and harmony with the nature.
• Impt TAOIST tenets;
• 1. First Principle or oneness – everything in nature is all part of the same whole.
• 2.Yin Yang classification- opposites are needed in order for harmony to exists or simply means we
all need balance in our lives.
• 3. Wu Wei – the most impt. It is the practice of taking no action that is not an accord with the
natural course of the universe. You simply let things happen in the way the natural order dictates
and they workout whatever way they need to. If you can accept what’s happening as the way and
not force your will or disappoint on it, you will learn how to be truly happy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5o7zwKhkl0
Comparison matrix of Western and Eastern
approaches to understanding the self.
Dimension Western Thought
Frame of Reference There isa separation between
philosophy and
religion/spirituality
Examples of School of Thought/ Scholasticism, Rationalism,
Belief System Empiricism, Phenomenology
Notable Philosophers Greek Triumvirate: Socrates,
Plato, and Aristotle, Renee
Descartes, John Locke
Source of Knowledge Has made use of reason rather
than faith to pursue wisdom
Modes of Cognition Analytic and deductive
Emphasis Distinctions and oppositions
View of the Universe and Life Linear
Eastern Thought
Religion and philosophy are
intertwined
Hinduism, Buddhism,
Confucianism, Taoism
Confucius, Lao Tzu Siddharta
Gautama
Has trusted intuition and often
associated with Religious
beliefs.
Synthetic and Inductive
Commonalities and harmonies
Circular
Dimension
View of Self
Subject-Object Distinction
(Bipolar Qualities of Self)
Theological view
Ideal
Cultural Framework
Western Thoughts
Egocentric
Duality of self as
Subject(knower) and self as
object (known)
Monotheistic
Self Actualization through
personal growth
Individualism
a. The self is a distinct and
autonomous entity; it is an
independent part of the
universe and the society.
b. Independence and self
reliance are core values
Eastern Thoughts
Sociocentric
Simultaneously subject and
object (the experience of self as
both the knower and known)
Polytheistic (Pluralistic)
To achieve a balance life and
find one’s role in society.
Collectivism
a. The self is an integrated part
of the universe and the
society.
b. Interdependence and
connectedness are core
values.
Dimension Western Thoughts
c. Prioritize personal goals over
group goals
d. Characterized by exchange
relationship
e. Uniqueness, sense of
direction, purpose and volition
are the acknowledge features of
self.
f. Personal success is important
Eastern Thoughts
c. No distinctions between
personal and group goals, or if
there is a distinction, the
personal goals are subordinate
to the group goals
d. Characterized by communal
relationship
e. Conformity and obedience are
essential social behavior.
f. Duty towards all others is
important.
Seat work : Cite your Western, Eastern and
Filipino Characteristics. Fill up the chart below
My Western Characteristics My Eastern Characteristics My Filipino Characteristics
• The Western and Eastern perspective of the self grew from a
combination of sociology, anthropology, psychology, theology and
religion