Lesson 4 - The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts

The Western belief that the individual is of primary importance and has unique rights and responsibilities.

The Eastern belief that the group or community is more important than the individual.

A figure in Greek mythology representing the struggle for individual freedom.

The belief in the inherent rights and freedoms of individual people, often emphasised in Western thought.

Considering something as a whole rather than its separated parts.

Considering or representing something as separate and disconnected parts.

A Latin phrase meaning 'I think, therefore I am', which epitomizes the Western emphasis on rationality.

A philosopher who emphasized rational thought and stated 'I think, therefore I am'.

Western cultures emphasize the importance of equality, believing that everyone deserves a fair chance regardless of background or status.

Eastern cultures often prioritize hierarchy, with a strong emphasis on respecting authority and maintaining order.

Western cultures tend to emphasize individual rights and freedom, while Eastern cultures often prioritize the needs of the group or community.

The Philippines, with its history of colonization and diverse regions, showcases a blend of Western and Eastern influences.

Globalization and communication advancements can lead to a merging of Western and Eastern perspectives, but cultural differences may still remain.

Western thought prioritizes understanding the individual self, even when considering external factors like environment and society.

Western thinking often sees things as separate and distinct, like the creator and creation, or the individual and others.

Eastern individuals often identify with their social roles and the situations that reveal positive traits, rather than focusing on personal attributes.

Eastern cultures prioritize humility and avoid self-promotion, seeing it as disruptive to social harmony.

Western societies value individual rights, freedom, and autonomy over group needs.

Eastern societies place a higher value on group harmony, social relationships, and collective needs over individual desires.

Western communication tends to be direct, assertive, and focused on achieving goals.

Eastern communication often emphasizes indirectness, subtlety, and harmony, hoping to convey meaning through feeling rather than explicit words.

The Eastern worldview emphasizes the interconnectedness of all things. It views the world as a unified whole, with events and phenomena being manifestations of a fundamental oneness.

A key difference between Western and Eastern philosophies is their focus on conflict or harmony: Western thought often portrays a struggle between opposing forces, while Eastern thought emphasizes a balance and interconnectedness.

Yin and Yang represent two complementary forces, constantly interacting and balancing each other. This symbolizes the interconnected nature of the universe, with each force containing the seed of the other.

Confucianism focuses on ethical conduct and how individuals should act based on their relationships with others. It offers a framework for social harmony and right behavior.

Taoism emphasizes living in accordance with the 'Tao', which is the natural order of the universe. It embraces a fluid, interconnected, and paradoxical understanding of reality.

Buddhism sees the self as an illusion, arising from ignorance and desires. The self is perceived as the source of suffering due to our attachment to desires and control.

According to Buddhism, suffering originates from our clinging to the self, our desires, and our attempts to control things. By understanding the impermanence of things, we can release ourselves from suffering.

Buddhism views the sense of a separate self as an illusion, a product of our attachment to desires and our perception of a fixed, unchanging identity. The self is constantly changing and flowing.