Understanding the Self

1. Chapter 1
Lesson 4
THE SELF IN WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHTS

2. INTRODUCTION
Cultures and cultural practices
have great effects on peoples’ ways
of life and changes as well.
Different cultures with varying
environments tend to create
different perceptions of the self .
One of the most common distinction
between cultures of people are the
cultures of the Eastern versus the
Western. Eastern represents Asia
and western represents Europe and
Northern America.

3. This distinction and countries included was
politically highlighted at the time that
perceptions of the self were applied and
accepted in the social sciences. While there
are countries who are geographically close
to each other may share commonalities,
there are also a lot of factors that create
differences.
Since most of the theories about the self
come from western research, it is also
noteworthy highlighting the highlighting the
eastern thoughts that have influenced our
definition and understanding of the self.

4. Confucianism Philosophy
-It is a code of ethical conduct on
how should one harmoniously act
according to his relationship with
other people. The identity and self
concept of each individual are
interwoven with the identity and self
concept of the individuals and status
of his/her community or culture
sharing its pride as well as its failure
(Ho, 1995)

5. In the Confucianism philosophy, self
cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose
of life but the characteristics of a chun-tzu
, a man of virtue or noble character is still
embedded in his social relationship (Ho,
1995). The cultivated self in Confucianism
is what some scholars call the “subdued
self” wherein personal needs are
repressed (subdued) for the good of many
making Confucian society also hierarchal
of the purpose of maintaining order and
balance in society (Ho, 1995)

6. Taoism Philosophy
Taoism is living the in the way of the
Tao, or the universe. However Taoism
rejects having one definition of what Tao is
and one can only state clues of what it is
as they adopt the free- flowing, relative,
unitary as well as the paradoxical view of
almost everything. Taoism rejects the
hierarchy and strictness brought by
Confucianism and would prefer a simple
lifestyle and its teachings thus aim to
describe how to attain that life (Ho 1995).

7. In Taoism, the self is not just an extension of
the family or the community; it is part of a
universe, one of the forms and manifestations
of the Tao. The ideal self is selflessness but
this is not forgetting about the self , it is living
a balanced life with society and nature , being
open and accepting to change , forgetting
about prejudices and egocentric ideas and
thinking about equality as well as other beings
(Ho 1995). In this way one is able to act
spontaneously because he will not be
restricted by some legalistic standards but
because he is in harmony with everything.

8. Buddhism Philosophy
There are various groups adopting
Buddhism philosophy, thus there might be little
differences in teachings but more likely their
core concepts are alike . The self is seen as
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 these
sufferings. It is therefore the quest to forget the
self, the cravings of the self, the attachment with
the world, and to renounce self which is the
cause of all sufferings and in so doing attain
Nirvana (Ho 1995). Nirvana means perfect
happiness.

9. Eastern Thoughts
In the eastern thoughts the self is not the
focus. Confucianism and Taoism still situate the
self within a bigger context. In striving to become
a better person , one does not create a self
above other people or nature but a self that is
beneficial to the community as well as to be in
harmony with anything else. For Buddhism the
self with all its connections and selfish ideas is
taken not just out of the center of the picture but
out of the entire picture.

10. Western Thoughts
Western perspectives does not discount
the role of environment and society in the
formation of the self but the focus is always
looking toward the self. For a western
influenced thought, one has has to compare
himself in order to be better, create associations
and bask in the glory of that group for self –
esteem, in other words putting primacy to the
realization of supremacy of the self.

11. Illustrative Comparison of Eastern and Western
Thoughts
Eastern Thoughts Western Thoughts
Selflessness by living in harmonious life
with nature and society
Looks at the world in dualities but focus most
on the self
Non prejudice and egocentric Conscious of social roles that invoked traits
positive for the self
Keeps low profile, considers boasting
oneself disrupts social relations
Highlights personal achievements
Collective culture, social relations
given more importance
Individualistic culture, individual needs a
focus
Loyal to the community. Looks after the
welfare of the group, values
cooperation, group oriented
Loose association or loyalty to the group. The
group is instrumental to the individualistic
pursuits
Puts hierarchy of culture to keep things
in harmony and order
Competition is the real name of the game .
Promote fair competition protecting the self or
individual.
Have respectful terms for seniors and
workers would not dare go against the
high ranking officials
Call their bosses and parents or other
seniors by name . Bosses, parents can be
approached head on when conflicts arise