Chapter 1 Lesson 4: The Self

in Western and Eastern

Thoughts
 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.“
 ABSTRACTION

There are actually a lot of sources in which you can analyze the perspective of each culture and country about
the concept of "self."

You can see it in their literature like how one culture depicts a hero or a villain in their stories: You can see
it in their social organization like how they see their boss or their subordinate. Artworks, dances, even
clothing may show you clues about the "self."

In this lesson, we will look at religious beliefs and political philosophies that greatly influenced the mindset of
each nation or culture. Since almost all the theories about the self, which were discussed in the previous
lessons, also came from the Western scientific research, we will highlight the Eastern thoughts in this lesson.
 Confucianism

EASTERN Taoism
PERSPECTIVES

Buddhism
CONFUCIANISM
 CONFUCIANISM
Confucianism 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).

Therefore, the identity and self-concept of the individual are interwoven with the identity
and status of his/her community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures (Ho 1995).

Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of a chun-tzu, a
man of virtue or noble character, is still embedded in his social relationships (Ho 1995).

The cultivated self in Confucianism is what some scholars call a "subdued self" wherein
personal needs are repressed (subdued) for the good of many, making Confucian society
also hierarchal for the purpose of maintaining order and balance in society (Ho 1995).
 CONFUCIANISM
• Confucianism is an ancient Chinese belief system, which focuses on the importance of personal
ethics and morality. Whether it is only or a philosophy or also a religion is debated. Mencius (or
Meng Ke who lived from 372 to 289 B.C.E.) is the best-known Confucian philosopher after Confucius
himself.
• Confucianism is a philosophy and belief system from ancient China, which laid the foundation for
much of Chinese culture. Confucius was a philosopher and teacher who lived from 551 to 479 B.C.E.
• His thoughts on ethics, good behavior, and moral character were written down by his disciples in
several books, the most important being the Lunyu.
• 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.”
• The main idea of Confucianism is the importance of having a good moral character, which can then
affect the world around that person through the idea of “cosmic harmony.”
 CONFUCIANISM

• If the emperor has moral perfection, his rule will be peaceful and benevolent.
• Natural disasters and conflict are the result of straying from the ancient teachings.
• This moral character is achieved through the virtue of ren, or “humanity,” which
leads to more virtuous behaviours, such as respect, altruism, and humility.
• Confucius believed in the importance of education in order to create this virtuous
character.
• He thought that people are essentially good yet may have strayed from the
appropriate forms of conduct.
• Rituals in Confucianism were designed to bring about this respectful attitude and
create a sense of community within a group.
 CONFUCIANISM
• The idea of “filial piety,” or devotion to family, is key to Confucius thought. This devotion can
take the form of ancestor worship, submission to parental authority, or the use of family
metaphors, such as “son of heaven,” to describe the emperor and his government.
• The family was the most important group for Confucian ethics, and devotion to family could
only strengthen the society surrounding it.
• Confucianism remains one of the most influential philosophies in China. During the Han
Dynasty, emperor Wu Di (reigned 141–87 B.C.E.) made Confucianism the official state
ideology. During this time, Confucius schools were established to teach Confucian ethics.
Confucianism existed alongside Buddhism and Taoism for several centuries as one of the
most important Chinese religions. In the Song Dynasty (960–1279 C.E.) the influence from
Buddhism and Taoism brought about “Neo-Confucianism,” which combined ideas from all
three religions. However, in the Qing dynasty (1644–1912 C.E.), many scholars looked for a
return to the older ideas of Confucianism, prompting a Confucian revival.
TAOISM
 TAOISM
Taoism is a religious tradition that began in China about 2,500 years ago-at about the same
time Confucius lived.

Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religion that instructs believers on how to exist
in harmony with the universe.

Taoism is living in “the way” of the Tao or the universe. However, Taoism rejects having one
Mount Laojun, definition of what the Tao is, and one can only state clues of what it is as they adopt a
China free-flowing, relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical view of almost everything.

Taoism rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and would prefer a
simple lifestyle and its teachings thus aim to describe how to attain that life (Ho 1995).
 TAOISM

The ideal self is selflessness but this is

not forgetting about the self, it is living
The self is not just an extension of the
a balanced life with society and nature,
family or the community; it is part of
being open and accepting to change,
the universe, one of the forms and
forgetting about prejudices and
manifestations of the Tao (Ho 1995).
egocentric ideas and thinking about
equality.
 TAOISM
1) Compassion, kindness,
love

The three jewels of Tao’

2) Moderation, simplicity,
refer to the three virtues of
frugality
Taoism:

3) Humility, modesty
TAOISM
TAOISM
 TAOISM

Many Taoists compare the Tao The Tao Te Ching says, "there is
to water. When it is restricted, nothing stronger and weaker
water seeks the weakest spot of than water, any yet there is
any obstruction and applies nothing better for attacking
constant force until it is free. hard and strong things."
BUDDHISM
 BUDDHISM

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 sufferings (Ho 1995).

It is, therefore, our quest to forget about the self,

forget the cravings of the self, break the attachments
you have with the world, and to renounce the self
which is the cause of all suffering and in doing so,
attain the state of Nirvana (Ho 1995).
 BUDDHISM
THE 4 NOBLE
TRUTHS OF
BUDDHISM

4. People can
1. Everything in overcome their
life is suffering desires and attain
and sorrow enlightenment by
following the
Eightfold Path

2. The cause of all

this pain is
people’s 3. The way to end
self-centered all pain is to end
cravings and all desires
desires
 BUDDHISM

Eightfold Path
• Right Understanding
• Right Thoughts
• Right Speech Eightfold Path
• Right Action
• Right Livelihood
• Right Effort
• Right Mindfulness
• Right Concentration
 WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

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.

One can also describe that the Western thought looks at the world in dualities
wherein you are distinct from the other person, the creator is separate from
the object he created, in which the self is distinguished and acknowledged.

On the other hand, the Eastern perspective 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.
 WESTERN PERSPECTIVE
Several studies showed that Americans, for example, talk more about their personal attributes
when describing themselves while Asians in general talk about their social roles or the social
situations that invoked certain traits that they deem positive for their selves.

Evaluation of the self also differs as Americans would highlight their personal achievements while
Asians would rather keep a low profile as promoting the self can be seen as boastfulness that
disrupts social relationships.

The Western culture is what we would call an individualistic culture since their focus is on the
person.

Asian culture, on the other hand, is called a collectivistic culture as a group and social relations that
is given more importance that individual needs and wants.
 WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Westerners may seem to have loose associations or even loyalty to

their groups.

Eastern or oriental persons look after the welfare of their groups and
values cooperation.

Westerners also emphasize more on the value of equality even if they

see that the individual can rise above everything else.

Asians, with their collectivistic culture, put more emphasis on

hierarchy as the culture wants to keep things in harmony and order.
 WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

For example, Westerners would most likely call their bosses, parents, or other
seniors by their first name.

For Asians, we have respectful terms for our seniors and a lot of workers would
not dare go against the high-ranking officials

In the case of the Philippines, we can also consider the colonization experience
for differences and similarities with our Asian neighbors. We might also find
variation among provinces and regions due to geographical conditions.
Reporters:
James Quio
Irish Plecer
Ana Publico
Frederick Quitoy
The end…
Thank you!