The Western and Eastern Concepts of Self PDF

THE WESTERN AND EASTERN CONCEPTS OF SELF Presented By Group 5 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the chapter, you should be able to: explain the Western concept of self; enumerate and discuss the different Eastern conceptions of self; compare Eastern and Western...

THE WESTERN AND EASTERN CONCEPTS OF SELF Presented By Group 5 LEARNING OBJECTIVES: At the end of the chapter, you should be able to: explain the Western concept of self; enumerate and discuss the different Eastern conceptions of self; compare Eastern and Western views of the self; and examine your own conceptualization WESTERN CONCEPT OF SELF Western Concept of Self Geertz (van Meijl, 2008) describes the Western self as a unique, integrated entity that serves as a dynamic center of awareness, emotion, judgment, and action. This self is distinct and contrasts with other selves and its social and natural environment. The Western self is seen as autonomous, unitary, and stable, which contrasts with the view that non-Western (Eastern) individuals do not have a similarly individuated self. This belief in a separate self is stronger in individualistic Western societies. WESTERN CONCEPT OF SELF It is in this sense that the Western concept of self is holistically defined by Frank Johnson (1985) in terms of the following terms: 1. Western Self as Analytic: Western thinking is analytic and deductive, focusing on understanding the whole by breaking it into parts and emphasizing causal relationships. 2. Western Self as Monotheistic: Belief in one Supreme Being creates a duality in existence and identity, such as good/evil and body/soul. WESTERN CONCEPT OF SELF 3. Western Self as Individualistic: Individualism in the West balances personal freedom with the potential for alienation and frustration. 4. Western Self as Materialistic and Rationalistic: Western thought prioritizes material things and rational-empirical approaches over magical or superstitious explanations. David Ho (1995) describes the Western self as an individualistic self that is deeply aware of itself, its uniqueness, sense of direction, purpose, and volition. The self is located at the center within the individual, through which the world is perceived. The self is also seen as "an entity distinct from other selves and all other entities." Frank Johnson (1985) traces the Western concept of self back to ancient philosophy. By the mid-19th century, psychology began addressing philosophical questions about the soul and mind, leading to the concept of self within social interactions. The late 19th century saw the development of various concepts of self through the growth of sociology, anthropology, and psychology. THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE WESTERN CONCEPT OF SELF STAGE PERIOD HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT Pre-Christian Philosophical and theological efforts focused on the concepts of soul and mind, emphasizing conscious 1 times until experience, mind-body dualism, and the causality of 1850 human behavior. With the rise of experimental psychology, the focus shifted to observable and measurable aspects of human faculties. The concept of self re-emerged within a social-interactionist framework, with 2 1850-1940 theories encompassing the inner, interpersonal, and social self. Existentialists and phenomenologists adopted a holistic approach to the self. There is now a convergence in the conceptualizations of the 1940- self among various disciplines, focusing on the actual, 3 present multivariate, and situational contexts of the self using new frameworks and methodologies.  EASTERN CONCEPT OF SELF In the East, philosophy and religion are intertwined. The major Eastern religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, represent Eastern thought. These traditions differ in their approaches to selfhood, making Eastern thought pluralistic (Garcia, 2013). Despite these differences, they share the goal of teaching how to become a perfect person (Villaba, 1995). ICE BREAKER THE SELF IN FOUR GREAT SYSTEMS OF EASTERN THOUGHT  HINDUISM Hinduism emphasizes the concept of Atman, the true self, which is identical to Brahman, the absolute reality. Suffering arises from failing to recognize this true self. The goal is self-realization, which involves uniting with Brahman and dissolving individual identity (Ho, 1995). Karma, a central doctrine, dictates that actions have consequences, leading to good or bad outcomes in this life and future incarnations. Individuals are responsible for their actions and their karmic consequences, which extend even after death. The soul (Atman) is immortal and reincarnates until freed from the cycle of rebirth and reaches nirvana (Garcia, 2008a).  BUDDHISM Buddhism, founded by the Buddha, emphasizes the potential for enlightenment within each individual. The Four Noble Truths outline the nature of suffering and its elimination, while the Eightfold Path guides individuals towards enlightenment. Buddhist philosophy rejects a permanent self, viewing the individual as a collection of impermanent elements. This impermanence is the source of suffering, which can be overcome through wisdom and the achievement of nirvana, a state of transcendence beyond self (Ho, 1995; Villaba, 1995; Mansukhani, 2013). SIDDHARTA GAUTAMA  CONFUCIANISM Confucianism, as outlined in the Analects, emphasizes the importance of social harmony and the development of moral character. The Golden Rule, or principle of reciprocity, guides proper conduct in relationships, particularly the Five Cardinal CONFUCIUS Relationships. The self is understood as relational, defined by its role within society. Self-cultivation, through knowing one's role and acting accordingly, is key to achieving self-realization. The individual is expected to prioritize social harmony and fulfill societal expectations, rather than individual needs and goals, leading to a subdued sense of self (Ho, 1995). TAOISM Taoism, a Chinese counterculture, emphasizes a self that is an extension of the Tao, the natural order of the universe, rather than social relationships. The ideal is Yin-Yang to identify with the Tao, dissolving the distinction between self and other, leading to a state of selflessness and spontaneous action in harmony with nature. Taoists value simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with the natural order, seeking unity and balance between opposing forces, such as yin and yang (Ho, 1995; Garcia, 2013; Abella, 2016).  DICHOT OM Y O F ST ER N A N D EA ST ER N WE S OF TH E CONCEP T IO N SELF Eastern and Western philosophies offer contrasting perspectives on the self. Eastern thought emphasizes a relational self, interconnected with others, society, and the universe, while Western thought often focuses on an autonomous and independent self. Eastern philosophies prioritize transformation of consciousness and harmony with nature, while Western theories tend to rely more on scientific methods. Both perspectives offer valuable insights, and a mutual appreciation and understanding of these contrasting approaches can enrich our understanding of the self. Thank You !!