Eastern and Western Thought PDF

The Self in Eastern and Western Thought Lesson Objectives At the end of this lecture, you are expected to: 1.Understand the Western concept of the self. 2. Enumerate and discuss different Eastern concept of the self. 3.Compare Eastern and Western views of the self. 4.Examine our own concept o...

The Self in Eastern and Western Thought Lesson Objectives At the end of this lecture, you are expected to: 1.Understand the Western concept of the self. 2. Enumerate and discuss different Eastern concept of the self. 3.Compare Eastern and Western views of the self. 4.Examine our own concept of the self.  The Individualistic Self The individual identifies primarily Independence and self-reliance are with self, with the needs of the greatly stressed and valued. In individual being satisfied before general, people tend to distance those of the group. themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other. Individualism states that everyone is acting on his or her own, making their own choices The Individualistic Self: traits "I" identity. Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement. Individual rights are seen as being the most important. Rules attempt to ensure self-importance and individualism. Independence is valued; there is much less of a drive to help other citizens or communities than in collectivism. Relying or being dependent on others is frequently seen as shameful. People are encouraged to do things on their own; to rely on themselves people strive for their own successes The Collectivistic Self Collectivism views the group as the Harmony and the primary entity, with the individuals interdependence of group lost along the way. members are stressed and valued The survival and success of the group ensures the well-being of the individual, so that by considering the needs and feelings of others, one protects oneself. The Collectivistic Self: Traits Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society, to do what is best for society rather than themselves. The rights of families, communities, and the collective supersede those of the individual. Rules promote unity, brotherhood, and selflessness. Working with others and cooperating is the norm; everyone supports each other. As a community, family or nation more than as an individual  TRAITS Individualistic Self Versus Collectivistic Self "I" identity. Each person is encouraged to be an Promotes individual goals, initiative and active player in society, to do what is achievement. best for society rather than Individual rights are seen as being the most themselves. important. Rules attempt to ensure self- The rights of families, communities, importance and individualism. and the collective supersede those of Independence is valued; there is much less of the individual. a drive to help other citizens or communities Rules promote unity, brotherhood, than in collectivism. and selflessness. Relying or being dependent on others is Working with others and frequently seen as shameful. cooperating is the norm; everyone People are encouraged to do things on their supports each other. own; to rely on themselves As a community, family or nation people strive for their own successes more than as an individual Western Thoughts Emphasized the importance of scientific methods of investigation to provide satisfactory answers to understand the self. Conducted scientific investigations in effort to understand the self and developed theories and differences among them. Individualistic rather than relational. Western Thoughts Emphasized the importance of scientific methods of investigation to provide satisfactory answers to understand the self. Conducted scientific investigations in effort to understand the self and developed theories and differences among them. Individualistic rather than relational. Western Thoughts Emphasized the importance of scientific methods of investigation to provide satisfactory answers to understand the self. Conducted scientific investigations in effort to understand the self and developed theories and differences among them. Individualistic rather than relational. Western Thoughts Emphasized the importance of scientific methods of investigation to provide satisfactory answers to understand the self. Conducted scientific investigations in effort to understand the self and developed theories and differences among them. Individualistic rather than relational. Western Thoughts Emphasized the importance of scientific methods of investigation to provide satisfactory answers to understand the self. Conducted scientific investigations in effort to understand the self and developed theories and differences among them. Individualistic rather than relational. Eastern Thoughts Raise question about the ultimate meaning of human life. Develop theories of self as they have investigated what it means to be a human being. Focused on ultimate meaning of life. Eastern Thoughts aim at transformation in: Emotions  Eastern Thoughts The emphasis is relational rather than individual. Self is considered not in isolation but in relation to others, society, and the universe. Eastern theories are highly practical. It offers a variety of techniques for cultivating a deeper understanding of the self. It do not utilize the scientific techniques of investigation.  Eastern Thoughts: a closer look 1. Buddhism 2. Hinduism 3. Confucianism  Buddhism Comes from the root word “budh” meaning awake. Siddharta Gautama, known as Buddha is the founder of Buddhism Buddhism 5 parts that compose an individual: Man is just a title. A 1. Matter summation of parts that 2. Sensation compose an individual. 3. Perception 4. Mental constructs 5. Consciousness  Buddhism There is no self (or no soul). There is only nothing and all else is an illusion. There is nothing permanent but change. 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 religion of an ancient people known as the Aryans. Aryan, name originally given to a people who were said to speak an archaic Indo-European language and who were thought to have settled in prehistoric times in ancient Iran and the northern Indian subcontinent. 3rd world’s largest religion with 1.2 billion followers. The goal of man is to have knowledge of the true reality. Lord Brahma, the creator Law of Karma is the most important doctrine of Hinduism. Hindus believe that Atman (Sanskrit; Soul) 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 doesn’t end with a body’s death, its influence may extend through incarnation of the what goes around, comes around soul.  Confucianism System of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Most of the time, it is characterized as a system social and ethical philosophy, rather than religion. “ Do not do others what you would not want others to do you. The Golden Rule  Confucianism Another important feature is the individual’s greatest mission of attaining self realization wherein self-cultivation is instrumental. self-cultivation can be accomplished by knowing one’s role in the society and act accordingly. Let us take a moment to watch a short film “The Howl and the Fussyket” on YouTube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5TzICiVUAk Two Sides of the Planet Write top ten (10) differences between Eastern and Western society, culture, and individuals in the table below. Cite your sources. WESTERN EASTERN 1. 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. 8. 8. 9. 9. 10. 10. Application and Assessment After enumerating, answer the ff questions below: 1. Do you agree in the differentiation between the West and the East? Why or why not? 2. Where can you find the Philippines in the distinction? Why? 3. What are the factors that makes the Philippines similar or different from its Asian neighbors? 4. Is there a difference between regions or ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines? Why?