Lesson 5 - Western and Eastern

DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
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Lesson 5: The Western and Eastern Concepts of Self
Western Thoughts
 The Western thoughts conducted scientific investigations in the effort to understand
the self and have developed theories and concepts to account for the similarities and
differences among them.
 They emphasized the importance of scientific methods of investigation to provide
satisfactory answers to understanding the self.
 In the Western thought, the emphasis is individualistic rather than relational.

Eastern Thoughts
 Many movements of Eastern thoughts raise questions about the ultimate meaning of
human life and have developed theories of self insofar as they have investigated
what it means to be a human being.
 Eastern thoughts aim at transformations in consciousness, feelings, emotions, and
one's relation to other people and the world
 In the Eastern thought, the emphasis is relational rather than individual. The self is
considered not in isolation but in relation to others, society, and the universe.
 Eastern theories are highly practical.
 They offer a variety of techniques for cultivating a deeper understanding of the self.
they do not utilize the scientific techniques of investigation.
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Models and Approaches of Understanding the Self
Dimension Western Thought Eastern Thought

Frame of Reference There is a separation between Religion and philosophy
philosophy and are intertwined.
religion/spirituality.
Examples of School of Scholasticism, Rationalism, Hinduism, Buddhism,
Thought/Belief System Empiricism, Phenomenology Confucianism, Taoism
Notable Philosophers Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Lao Tzu,
Rene Descartes, John Locke Siddharta Gautama
(Buddha)
Source of Knowledge Has made use of reason Has trusted intuition and is
rather than faith to pursue often associated with
wisdom. religious beliefs.
View of Self Egocentric Sociocentric
Theological View Monotheistic Polytheistic (Pluralistic)
Ideal Self-actualization through To achieve a balanced life
personal growth and find one’s role in
society.
Individualism Collectivism
1. The self is a distinct and 1. The self is an integrated part of
autonomous entity; it is an the universe and the society.
independent part of the 2. Interdependence and
universe and the society. connectedness are core values.
2. Independence and self- 3. No distinctions between
reliance are core values. personal and group goals, or if
Cultural 3. Prioritize personal goals over there is a distinction, the
Framework group goals personal goals are subordinate
4. Characterized by exchange to the group goals.
relationship 4. Characterized by communal
5. Uniqueness, sense of relationship
direction, purpose and volition 5. Conformity and obedience are
are the acknowledged essential social behaviors.
features of self. 6. Duty towards all others is
6. Personal success is important.
important.
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Buddhism
 Siddharta Gautama known as Buddha is the founder of

Buddhism.
 The root word of Buddhism is budh meaning awake.
 To be awake may imply that when the eyes are open, it
would lead to understanding more about the self and
the world.
 According to the teachings of Buddhism, every person
has the seed of enlightenment, hence, potential to be a
Buddha. But the seed should be nurtured.
 In Buddhist philosophy, man is just a title for the
summation of the five parts (matter, sensation, perception, mental constructs,
and consciousness) that compose the individual, however each of the parts
distinctly is not man.
 There is no self (or no-soul).
 There is only nothing and all else is an illusion.
 There is nothing permanent, but change.
 In Buddhism, anicca (impermanence) m eans that everything in life is always
changing, that nothing lasts forever.
 The ignorance of the impermanence of everything may lead to an illusion of
selfhood.
 The ideal is to experience Nirvana, a state of transcendence devoid of self-
reference.
 This state of transcendence can be achieved through meditation
Hinduism
 The goal of man is to have a knowledge of the true

reality – Brahman
 Law of karma is the most important doctrine of
Hinduism.
 All actions are subject to karma.
 Individual actions will lead to either a good or bad
outcome in one’s life.
 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 reach a state of nirvana or non-birth.
 Karma does not end with a body’s death, so its influence may extend through
incarnation of the soul.

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Confucianism
 The core of Confucian thought is the Golden

Rule or the principle of reciprocity: “Do not do
to others what you would not want others to do
to you”.
 Another important feature in Confucian
thought is the individual’s greatest mission of
attaining self-realization wherein self-
cultivation is instrumental.
 Self-cultivation could be accomplished by
knowing one’s role in the society and act
accordingly.
 Moral character is perfected through continuously taking every opportunity to
improve oneself in thought and action.
Taoism
 To them, the self is an extension of the cosmos, not of social
relationships.
 The self is described as one of the limitless forms of the Tao.
 The Tao is commonly regarded as Nature that is the
foundation of all that exists.
 It is not bounded by time and space.
 The ideal is to identify with the Tao.
 The perfect man has no self.
 The selfless person leads to a balanced life, in harmony with
both nature and society.
 Taoists believe that simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with
nature should govern one’s life.
 There should be unity and harmony among opposing elements: the Yi n and
Yang.
References:
1. Alata, E. J. P., Caslib Jr., B. N., Serafica, J. P. J. & Pawilen, R. A. (2018).

Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Book Store.
2. Go-Monilla, M.J.A. & Ramirez, N.C. (2018). Understanding the Self. Metro
Manila, Quezon City: C & E Publishing, Inc.

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DON HONORIO VENTURA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Lesson 5: The Western and Eastern Concepts of Self

Models and Approaches of Understanding the Self

Dimension Western Thought Eastern Thought

 Siddharta Gautama known as Buddha is the founder of

 The goal of man is to have a knowledge of the true

 The core of Confucian thought is the Golden

1. Alata, E. J. P., Caslib Jr., B. N., Serafica, J. P. J. & Pawilen, R. A. (2018).

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