THE SELF IN THE
WESTERN AND EASTERN
THOUGHTS
PRESENTED
BY
GROUP 1
LESSON OBJECTIVES
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. differentiate the concept of self according to Western thought
against Eastern/Oriental perspectives;
2. explain the concept of self as found in Asian thoughts; and
3. create a representation of the Filipino self.
INTRODUCTION
Different cultures and varying environment tend to create different perceptions of the
"self" and one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is the
Eastern-vs-Western dichotomy wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western
represents Europe and Northern America. It must be understood that this distinction
and the countries included was politically colored at the time that aforementioned
concepts were accepted and used in the social sciences. Furthermore, it must be
reiterated that while countries who are geographically closer to each other may share
commonalities, there are also a lot of factors that create differences. In the Philippines
alone, each region may have a similar or varying perception regarding the "self."
EASTERN THOUHGTS
CONFUCIANISM
Can be seen as code of ETHICAL CONDUCT
how one should propery act according to their
relationship with other people and focused on
having a harmonious social life.
the identity and self-concept of the individual are
interwoven w/:
identity
status of his/her community or
culture
sharing its pride as well as its
failures
CONFUCIANISM
SELF-CULTIVATION
seen as the ultimate purpose of life but the
characteristics of a CHUN-ZU
a man of virtue or noble character,
is still embedded in his social
relationships
is what some sholars call a “SUBDUED SELF”
personal needs are repressed
(subdued) for the good of many
TAOISM
living in the way of TAO or the universe
rejects having one definition of what TAO is
one can only state clues of what it is as they adapt
a free-flowing, relative, unitary, and paradoxical
view of almost everything.
rejects rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought
by confucianism and would prefer a simple
lifestyle teachings
aim to describe how to attain
that life
TAOISM
SELF is not just an extension
part of the universe, and one of the forms
and manifestation of the Tao.
the ideal of self is selflessness
it is living balanced-life with society and nature,
being open and accepting to change, forgetting
about prejudices and egocentric ideas and
thinking about equality as well as
complementarity among humans as well as other
beings.
you will able to act spontaneuosly because you will
not be restricted by some legalistic standards but
because you are in harmony with everything
BUDDHISM
the self is seen as an illusion, born out of
ignorance, of trying to hold and control things,
or human-centered needs
thus, self is the source of all these sufferings.
therefore, our quest to forget about the self,
forget the cravings of the self which is the cause
of all the suffering and in doing so, attain the
state of NIRVANA
STATE OF BEING PERFECT.
CONFUCIANISM AND TAOISM still situate
the self within a bigger context
striving to become a better person, one does not
create a self above other people but a self that is
beneficial to his community as well as in order
and harmony with everything else.
for BUDDHISM, self with all his connections and selfish
ideas, is taken not just out of the center of the picture, but
from the whole picture entirely.
HINDUISM
not considered a religion or a
philosophy
It is a WAY OF LIFE.
has developed many practices meant
to help one think of divinity in
everyday life.
a power that is
greater than MAN
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE
Does not discount the role of environment and society in the
formation of the self but the focus is always looking toward the self
striving to become a better person, one does not create
a self above other people but a self that is beneficial to
his community as well as in order and harmony with
everything else.
Western Thought also looks at the world in DUALITIES.
YOU DISTINCT FROM THE OTHER PERSON.
creator is seperate from the object he created
SELF IS DISTINGUISHED AND ACKNOWLEDGED
DIFFERENCES OF WESTERN
AND EASTERN THOUGHTS
WESTERN VS EASTERN PERSPECTIVE
EASTERNS sees the other person as part of yourself as well as the
things you may create
a drama in which everyone is interconnected with
their specific roles.
AMERICANS ASIANS
they talk more about they would talk in “general” about
their “personal their social roles or situation that
attributes” when invoked certain traits that they
describing themselves. deem positive for their self.
WESTERN CULTURE
-what we would call an INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURE
focus is on the person
ASIAN CULTURE
- is called COLLECTIVISTIC CULTURE
group and social relations that is given more importance
than individual needs and wants
WESTENERS
may seem to have loose associations or even loyalty to their groups.
they are more likely straightforward and forceful in their communication as
well as decision-making.
COMPETITION
on the other side, they also emphasize more on the value of equality even if
they see individual can rise above everything else
promote ideals “fair” competition
and protect the individual
WESTENERS - most likely call their boss, or even parents, or other seniors by
their first name
EASTERNS
oriental persons look after the welfare of their groups and
values cooperation
Asians, with their collectivistic culture, put more emphasis on
hierarchy as the culture wants to keep things in harmony and
order.
ASIANS have respectful terms for seniors and a lot of workers would not dare
go against ranking officials
AS FOR THE PHILIPPINES...
FILIPINOS also consider the colonization experience for differences and
similarities with our Asian neighnors
find variation among provinces and regions due to geographical
conditions
with social media, migration, intermarriages, variety between the
westeners and asian perceptions may either be blurred or highlighted
conflict is invetable in diversity, peace is
also possible through the understanding of
where each of us is coming from.
COLLECTIVE SELF
aspect of self that are based on memberships in social
groups or categories
family, culture, religion, social circle,
and even larger societal structures
perception of self as an interchangeable exemplar of
some social category rather than a perception of self as a
unique person.
REF: https://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-psychology/self/collective-self/
IMPORTANCE OF COLLECTIVE SELF
it plays an important role in group perception and behavior
prejudice, inter-group stereotyping,
and discrimination
according to social identity theory, individual seek to achieve and maintain a
positive social identity by establishing favorable comparisons between their
own groups and outgroups
societies can achieve more unity,
resilience, and overall well-being.
REFERENCES:
https://psychology.iresearchnet.com/social-
psychology/self/collective
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/the-self-
in-the-western-and-eastern-
thougghts/238385477
https://www.slideshare.net/Subhashitam/hindu
ism-1037119?from_search=0
THANK
YOU!
