Republic of the Philippines
SULTAN KUDARAT STATE UNIVERSITY
ACCESS, EJC Montilla, 9800 City of Tacurong
Province of Sultan Kudarat
Name: Reema Hommaiya G. Dading Professor: Richard H. Pimentel
Adrienne Bedana Cortez
Course/Year: BSA – 1A Date: August 27, 2019
Course Code/Descriptive Title: GE 708 – Understanding The Self Score: ___________
Title: The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts
Different cultures 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 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.
Further more, 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 a similar or varying perception regarding the "self".
EASTERN
CONFUCIANISM
“Can be seen as a code of ethical conduct of how one should properly act according to
their relationship with other people.”
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 is also focused on having a harmonious
social life (Ho 1995). Therefore, the identity and self-concept of an individual are interwoven with
the identity and status of his/her community or culture, sharing its pride as well as its failures (Ho
1995).
Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose of life but the characteristics of a chun-
tzu, a man of virtue and noble character, is still embedded in his social relationships. The cultivated
self of Confucianism is what some scholars call a “subdued self” wherein personal needs are
repressed or subdued for the good of many, making Confucianism society also hierarchal for the
purpose of maintaining order and balance in the society (Ho 1995).
TAOISM
“Living in the way of the Tao or the universe.”
Is living in the way of Tao or the universe. However, Taoism rejects having one
definition of what the Tao is, and one can only state clues of what it is as they adopt a free-flowing,
relative, unitary, as well as 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).
The self is not just an extension of the family or the community, it is part of the
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 complementarily among humans as well as other beings.
In this way, you will be able to act spontaneously because you will not be restrained by
some legalistic standards but because you are in harmony with everything.
BUDDHISM
The self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold and control
things, or human-centered deeds, thus, the self is also the source of all these sufferings (Ho 1995).
The Third Belief is Buddhism. There are various groups who have adopted Buddhism,
thus, you may find differences in their teachings with our discussion but more likely, their core
concepts remained the same. The self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold
and control things, or human-centered needs; thus, the self is also the source of these sufferings
(HO,1995). It is, therefore our quest to forget about the self forget the cravings the self, break the
attachments you have with the world, and to renounce the self which the cause of all the suffering
and in doing so, attain the state of Nirvana (Ho 1995).
The Self or the Individual is not the focus of the abovementioned Asian or Eastern
Philosophies or beliefs. Even with extended discussion about how the self should work,
Confucianism and Taoism still situate the self within the 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 in order and 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 whole picture entirely.
WESTERN
As previously discussed, Western perspective does not discount the role of the
environment and society in the formation of the self but the focus is always looking the self toward
the self. You compare yourself in order to be better; you create associations and bask in the glory
of that group for your self-esteem; you put primacy in developing yourself.
One can also describe that the Western thought looks at the world in dualities wherein
you are distinct from the other person, the creator is separate from the object created, in which the
self is distinguished and acknowledged (Wolter 2012). On the other hand, the Eastern perspective
sees the other person as part of yourself as well as the things you may create, a drama in which
everyone is interconnected with their specific roles (Walter 2012).
Several studies showed that Americans, for example, talk more about their personal
attributes when describing themselves while Asians in general talk about their social roles or the
social situations that invoked certain traits that they deem positive for their selves (Glietmin, Gross,
and Reisberg 2011). Evaluation of the self also differs as Americans would highlight their personal
achievements while Asians would rather keep a low profile as promoting the self can be seen as
boastfulness that disrupt social relationships (Gleitman, Gross and Reisberg 2011).
The Western culture is what we would call an individualistic culture since their focus
is on the person. Asian culture, on the other hand, is called a collectivistic culture as the group and
social relations that is given more importance than individual needs and wants. a
By valuing the individual, Westerners may seem to have loose associations or even
loyalty to their groups. Competition is the name of the game and they are more likely
straightforward and forceful in their communication as well as decision-making. Eastern or
oriental persons look after the welfare of their groups and values cooperation. They would also be
more compromising and they tend to go around the bush in explaining things, hoping that the other
person would “feel” what they really want to say (Qingxue 2003).
Westerners also emphasize more on the value of equality even if they see that the
individual can rise everything else. Because everyone is on their own in the competition, one can
say that they also promote ideals that create “fair” competition and protect the individual. Asians
with their collectivistic culture, put more emphasis on hierarchy as the culture wants to keep things
in harmony and order (Qingxue 20003).
For example, Westerners would most likely call their bosses, parents, or other seniors
by their first name. The boss can also be approached head-on when conflicts or problems about
him arises. For Asians, we have respectful terms for our seniors and a lot workers would not dare
go against the high-ranking officials (Qingxue 2003).
It must be emphasized, however, that these are general commonalities among western
cultures as compared to Asian or Oriental Cultures. In the case of the Philippines, we can also
consider the colonization experience for differences and similarities with our Asian neighbors. We
might also find variation among provinces and regions due to geographical conditions.
With the social media, migration and intermarriages, variety between the Western and
Asian perceptions may either be blurred or highlighted. Whereas conflict is inevitable in diversity,
peace is also possible through the understanding of where each of us is coming.
REFERENCES:
Vadim Kotelnikov, “East VS West” Retrieved from:
http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/cultures_east-west-phylosophy.html
