Lesson 4- The Western & Eastern Thoughts About the Self PDF

The Western & Eastern Thoughts About The Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER  Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING TH...

The Western & Eastern Thoughts About The Self EMMANUEL R. SANTOS, LPT, MBA TEACHER  Nota bene: This Instructional material (IM) is not entirely written by the course specialist but is just a compilation of reading materials only for purposes of research and study of the course UNDERSTANDING THE SELF. The attached materials are credited to the author of said articles as properly acknowledged in the parenthetical citation, relevant links in the slides and reference page. This material is not for sale. Students are not allowed to reproduce or duplicate the same. For strict confidentiality and compliance. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:  Differentiate the concept of self according to Western thought against Eastern perspective  Explain the concept of self based on Asian thoughts  Examine the Filipino self and construct one’s own representation of the Filipino self Introduction  Different culture 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 represent Asia and Western represent Europe and North America.  It must be noted that some countries who are geographically close 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 concepts about the “self”. https://www.globalfromasia.com/east-west-differences/ (Alata, et Al 2019) Introduction  In this lesson, we will look at religious belief 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 Western scientific research, we will highlight the Eastern thoughts in this lesson. (Alata et. Al, 2019) https://www.shutterstock.com/image- vector/religious-symbols-114874192 Western Thought  The “self” based on Western thought is focused on individualism. People view the “self” as autonomous relative to others and the environment, stressing separateness from the social world.  In Western beliefs, people tend to think that we are separate and unique from each other. What one person does or experiences is completely independent of other people and the world at large. https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-individualistic- cultures-2795273 (Walter 2013, Page & Berkow, 1991) Eastern Thought https://family.lovetoknow.com/chinese-family-values https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78haKZhEqcg  The self in Eastern cultures is dominated by the “we” idea, that the self is part of a larger network of people who all help shape each other. https://focusedcollection.com/212427560/stock-photo-young-happy-asian-family-praying.html Eastern Religious View of the “Self” Hinduism  It is a major religion common in the south Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka.  Just like Christianity, Hinduism has many different branches with varying principles.  To help understand the Hindu view of the self, two important concepts must be recognized: 1. the BRAHMAN (considered as the sacred, the god spirit or the universe) and 2. the ATMAN (which is the human soul or the self). https://www.history.com/topics/religion/hinduism Hinduism  The Hindu belief states that each time a person dies and is reborn, it comes closer to Brahman.  Eventually, when the person completes the cycle of reincarnation, they stop being reborn and are fully reunited with Brahman.  While we have the tendency to think about our “self” today or tomorrow, the Hindus think in terms of centuries and lifetimes.  The “self” in Hinduism is just a part of a larger whole (the Brahman), which embodies everything. The Atman of the self is tied to everything. http://emilywheelershistorywebpage.weebly.com/brahman.html Buddhism  Buddhism is a common Eastern religion and philosophy where the self is often thought of as an illusion.  There are two concepts that are agreed on in most Buddhist branches: the ideas of INTERCONNECTEDNESS and a LACK OF SELF.  INTERCONNECTEDNESS simply means that everything is connected.  To Buddhists, humans are just a stream of consciousness and not a separate entity.  Our interconnection with each other eliminates the idea that there is us and there is others. https://www.noted.co.nz/culture/culture-books/why-buddhism-is-true-robert-wright-secularist-perspective Buddhism  Humans are just a single part of a larger whole.  Alone, we are nothing but a thought, interconnected with everything else.  Since the self is an illusion, we should therefore forget about the self, the cravings of the self, and its attachment to human- centered desires, which ultimately cause suffering.  In doing so, one can attain the highest state called NIRVANA, a place of perfect peace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMM-pfkNl6I and happiness akin to HEAVEN. (Walter,2013, No author,2001) Confucianism  Does not teach the worship of any particular deity (Yao,1996)  Instead, it is focused more on human behavior, causing many scholars to consider it more of an ethical system or a code of conduct rather than a religion.  A human being is seen as a social being, whose personality is not inherently existing, but is being formed through upbringing and environment (Fung, 2014) https://www.ancient.eu/Confucius/ Confucianism  In essence, the self will develop through the practice of the virtues of compassion, righteousness, propriety and wisdom to bring harmony to family, community and empire.  Self-cultivation is our supreme goal-any person is a “gentleman” if his or her conduct is noble and unselfish. This is the characteristic of CHUN-TZU, a man of virtue or noble character. (Ho, 1995) http://cavemengo.blogspot.com/2010/08/what-is-class.html Taoism  It is an ancient Chinese philosophy that stresses the importance of living simply and honestly and in harmony with nature. (Ho, 1995)  Due to its focus on harmony and proper way to live, it is often referred to as the Way. https://gohighbrow.com/philosophy-of-taoism/ Taoism  Three of most important tenets of https://thriveglobal.com/stories/wu-wei-lao-tzu-s- wisdom/ Taoism are: 1. The First Principle 2. The Yin-Yang classification 3. The Wu Wei concept http://ginkgoacupuncture.blogspot.com/2018/05/wu- wei-action-less-action.html https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/events/taoism- yin-and-yan-wu-wei-and-the-founding-philo-6 In a nutshell… WESTERN EASTERN Individualistic culture Collectivistic culture since their focus is on since the group and the person and social relations are given individual needs and importance. wants. https://www.ulatus.com/translation-blog/conducting-business-between-eastern-and-western-cultures/ Values competition and Values cooperation and is straightforward when tends to go around the communicating with bush when exploring others. things to others. Emphasizes equality Emphasizes on hierarchy even if the individual is as the culture wants to seen to rise above keep things in harmony everything else. and in order https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/411164640953111201/ Source: Cruz, B, 2018. Understanding the Self. JTCA Publishing: Paranaque City More concepts of East vs West https://pediaa.com/difference-between-eastern-and-western-culture/ https://today.yougov.com/topics/international/articles-reports/2015/12/25/what- world-most-wants-west-love-east-health (Will Dahlgreen, 2015)  High Context vs Low Context Culture High and low context cultures refer to the value cultures place on direct and indirect communication. An individual with a low context orientation values direct communication and believes people should “say what they mean and mean what they say”. The United States and Australia are often highlighted as low context cultures. A person with high context orientation pays attention to what isn’t said as much as what is said and a great deal of attention is put on where people are seated, how people are dressed, and reading between the lines. Asian, African, central European and Latin American cultures are generally considered to be high-context cultures. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-we-move-beyond-high-low-context-cultural-tanya-finnie/ https://historyplex.com/difference-between-high-context-low-context-cultures https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-we-move-beyond-high-low-context-cultural-tanya-finnie/ PETA 4 What characteristics/practices do you wish to adapt from “western thoughts” and “eastern thoughts”? Create your own list with a simple explanation. Feel free to research further. Cite your sources in APA format. Reference List: 1. Alata EJP, Caslib BN, Serafica JPJ & Pawilen, RA. Understanding the Self. Manila: Rex Publishing. 2. Cruz, B.L. (2018). Understanding the Self, First Edition. Paranaque: JTCA Publishing. 3. Dahlgreen, W. (2015). What the world most wants: in the West, love; in the East, health. Retrieved on 05 August 2020 from: https://today.yougov.com/topics/international/articles-reports/2015/12/25/what-world-most-wants-west-love-east- health 4. Fung, A. (2014). The Influence of Confucianism on Identity Formation of a Multi-skill Migrant: An Autoetnography. The Qualitative Report, 19(50),1-19. Retrieved from: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/tqr/vol19/iss50/l 5. Hasa (2016). Difference Between Eastern and Western Culture. Retrieved on 05 August 2020 from: https://pediaa.com/difference-between-eastern-and-western-culture/ 6. Ho, D. (1995) Selfhood and Identity in Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Hinduism: Contrasts With the West, Journal for the Theory of Social Behavior, 25 (2). Retrieved from on 05 December 2017: https://doi.org/10.111/j.1468-5914.1995.tb00269.x 7. Walter, D. (2013). In search of the Self-Esteem versus Western Perspectives. Oglethorpe Journal of Undergraduate Research, I (I). Retrieved on 08 December 2017 from: https://digitalcommons.Kennesaw.edu/ojur/voll/issl/l Reference List: 8. Yao, X. (1996) Self-construction and identity: The Confucian self in relation to some Western Perceptions. Asian Philosopy, 6 (3): 179-195: Retrieved on 16 July 2018 from DOI:10.1080/09552369608575442 : https://www.researchgate.net/publication/233128303_Self- construction_and_identity_The_Confucian_self_in_relation_to_some_western_perceptions 9. Finnie, T. (25 Sep 2019), "The Culture Map": Moving Beyond High Context/Low Context. Retrieved on 05 September 2022 from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/should-we-move-beyond-high-low-context-cultural-tanya-finnie/