Lesson 4: The Self in Western and Eastern Thought (PDF)

IMG\_256 **LEYTE COLLEGES** Tacloban City COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND EDUCATION Lesson 4 The Self in Western and Eastern Thought **I-INTRODUCTION** Overview Different cultures and varying environment tends to create different perceptions of the "self" and one the most common distinctions...

IMG\_256 **LEYTE COLLEGES** Tacloban City COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND EDUCATION Lesson 4 The Self in Western and Eastern Thought **I-INTRODUCTION** Overview Different cultures and varying environment tends to create different perceptions of the "self" and one 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 similar or varying perception regarding the "self". **II-INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs)** At the end of this lesson the student should be able to: a. Differentiate the concept of self according to western though against eastern/oriental perspectives. b. Discuss and differentiate eastern at western people about view of self. c. Hinduism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism. **KEY TERMS** **Individualistic culture -** are characterized by individualism, which is the prioritization or emphasis of the individual over the entire group. **Dualistic or Non-Dualistic -** Duality is the experience of separateness. Non-duality is the experience of interconnectedness. **Collectivist culture -** emphasize the needs and goals of the group as a whole over the needs and desires of each individual. **III- Content: The Self in Western and Eastern thought** **The Concept of "self" in Eastern Thought** In the concept of "self" in general greatly influenced by religious beliefs and political philosophies. Eastern concepts "self" leans more toward the different philosophies, namely: Confucianism Taoism, and Buddhism. **CONFUCIANISM** This philosophy originated from the Chinese philosopher, teacher, and political figure named Kung Fu Zi, or more popularly known as Confucius. The concept of "self" under this philosophical thought focuses on having a harmonious social life through acting properly and accordingly with other people. This means that a person's identity and self-concept are interwoven with the identity and status of his/her community or culture. Confucianism sees self-cultivation as the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of a chun-tzu, or a man of virtue or noble character, is still embedded in his social relationships (Ho, 1995). The cultivated self in Confucianism what some scholars call a "subdued self" where in personal needs are repressed (subdued) for the good of many(Ho, 1995). **TAOISM** The second philosophy is Taoism which is quite difficult to fully define because Taoists adopt a free-flowing relative, unitary, as well as paradoxical view of almost everything. The teaching of the Tao describe how a simple lifestyle can be achieved. According to Taoism, the ideal concept of the "self" is selflessness but not forgetting about the self. It is living a balanced life with society and nature, being open and accepting to charge, forgetting about prejudices and egocentric (self-centered) ideas and thinking about equality as well as complementarity among humans and other being (Ho, 1995). In this way, a person may be able to act spontaneously because he/she is not restricted by legalistic standard, but because the person is in harmony with everything. **BUDDHISM** The third belief system is Buddhism which is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. This philosophy views the self as a 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 sufferings. The goal, therefore, of Buddhism is to forget the cravings of the self. Break the attachments a person has with the world, and to renounce the self which is the cause of all suffering (Ho, 1995) By doing this things, the person can then attain Nirvana (Ho, 1995). **The Concept of "self" Western Thought** In western thought, the concept of "self" is seen a social construct characterized in three way: the individualistic self, the concept of self-sufficiency, and the self being rational. **The Individualistic self** At a young age, the child is taught to pursue what is best for the self. As an adult, the measure of success in life is when the self is able to fulfill the life-goals set for and by the self. The Individualistic self is always conceive as the autonomous bounded entity. For one to be Autonomous, one must be able to show independence. The self should not require the help of other people in accomplishing the tasks at hand, promoting independence. **The Concept of Self-sufficiency** The self must be able to provide his/her needs without the help of other people. The self can gather the needed resources to accomplish his/her goals without aid from other people. Being self-sufficient implies confidence in one's capacity to provide what self need from one's own resources and authority. Therefore, it is important for the self to establish one's power and accumulate the needed knowledge and resources so that one will be able to provide one's needs. **The Self Being Rational** In Western practice, there is no time for the self to be weak and emotional. The self must not taste resources on meditation and other metaphysical cognitions but to be constantly rational and reasonable. Under this concept, everything must be explained by logic and reason. Other things that are considered illogical are discredited and rejected. The successful self is grounded on one's investment on reason and logical thinking. **Table 4.A. Summary of Differences between the Concept of "self" in Western and Eastern Thought** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Eastern Concepts of the "Self" | Western Concept of the "Self" | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Confucianism** | **Individualistic Self** | | | | | The concept of the self under | The concept of self being | | this philosophical thought | individualistic puts emphasis on | | focuses on acting and behaving in | the self being able accomplish | | an orderly manner to achieve a | the tasks at hand without the aid | | harmonious relationship with the | of other individuals. This | | things around the person. | concept values the independence | | | of a person. Another aspect is | | **Buddhism** | the autonomy of the person | | | wherein the person can operate | | Buddhism sees the concept of self | and create decisions for | | as an illusion. The self must let | him/herself by him/herself | | go of earthly or material desires | without the influence of any | | in order to avoid suffering | other individual or authority. | | because according to Buddhism, | | | material desires only lead to | **The Self Being Rational** | | disappointment and suffering. To | | | achieve the true version of the | The self being rational states | | self, the person must let go of | that the person need to function | | his/her desires. | as a being that uses reason | | | rather than feelings and | | **Taoism** | emotions. The practicality of the | | | person is given premium instead | | The concept of the self under the | of investing on the emotional | | Taoist philosophical thought | aspect of the person. Logic is | | emphasizes on being selfless | superior and is a good foundation | | without disregarding love for the | for success. | | self. The self must promote a | | | harmonious relationship with | **Concept of Self-sufficiency** | | his/her surrounding in that | | | includes being accepting to the | The self, other than being and | | changes that constantly occur. | independent and autonomous unit, | | | is also sen as a being that is | | | capable of providing his/her | | | needs in order to function | | | without the help of other people. | | | The concept explains that the | | | self-sufficient person is able to | | | identify the necessary resources | | | needed for the person to function | | | and at the same time, find the | | | means to obtain these resources. | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ Eastern philosophies are more attuned to the collective dimension of the self as opposed to the western individualistic ideals of the self. The table below will show a comparison between the individualistic and the collective self. **Table 4 B. Comparison between Individualistic and Collective self** +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | **Individualism** | **Collectivism** | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Promotes individual goals, | - The rights of families, | | initiative, and achievement | communities, and the | | | collective supersede those of | | - "I" identity | the individual | | | | | - Individual rights are seen as | - Each person is encouraged to | | being the most important. | be an active player in | | Rules attempt to ensure | society, to do what is best | | self-importance and | for society as whole rather | | individualism | than themselves | | | | | - People strive for their own | - Working with others and | | successes | cooperating is the norm; | | | everyone supports each other. | | - People are encouraged to do | | | things on there own; to rely | - Rules promote unity, | | on themselves | brotherhood, and selflessness | | | | | - Independence is valued; there | - As a community, family, or | | is much less of a drive to | nation more than as a | | help other citizens or | individual | | communities than in | | | collectivism | | | | | | - Relying or being dependent on | | | others is frequently seen as | | | shameful | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+