The Self in Western and Eastern Thought: A Comparative Analysis, Exercises of History

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The self in

Western and

Eastern

thought

Melvin D. Angeles, RPm Understanding the Self Jhon Paul M. Castillo, MAEd Faculty

Objectives:

• 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 represents Asia and Western

Represent Europe and Northern America.

Thought

1. Confucianism- can be seen as a

code of ethical conduct, of how one

should properly act according to their

relationship with other people; thus, it also

focused on having a harmonious social

life.

Self: Eastern

The identity and self-concept of the individual are interwoven with the identity and status of his/her community or culture, sharing of his/her community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures. a. Self-cultivation: is seen as the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of chun tzu , a man of virtue or noble character, is still embedded in his social relationships. b. Subsued self” The cultivated self or wherein personal needs are repressed (subsued ) for the good of many.

2. Taoism- is the living in the way of Tao or the universe.
   • Adopt free flowing, relative, unitary and paradoxical view of everything.

Self: Eastern

• The self is not just an extension of the family

or the community; it is the part of the

universe, one of the forms and

manifestations of the Tao. The ideal self is

selflessness but this not forgetting about the

self.

3. Buddhism-the self is seen as an illusion born out the ignorance, trying to hold and control things.

• The self is also the source of these sufferings.
• Forget the self to free from suffering and attain nirvana.

Self: Eastern

• 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 his community as well as the harmony with everything else. As for Buddhism, the self, with all its connection and selfish ideas, is taken not just out of the center of the picture, but from the picture entirely.

Self in

Western

• Western Perspective does not discount the role of environment and society in the formation of the self but the focus is always looking toward the self.

Self: Western

Thought