COLLEGE OF ST. JOHN - ROXAS
Member: Association of LASSAI- Accredited Superschools (ALAS)
Atila Balgos St. Banica, Roxas City
Understanding the Self
Instructional Learning Kit
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
“This course is intended to facilitate the exploration of issues and concerns regarding
self and identity to arrive at a better understanding of one’s self. It strives to meet this
goal by stressing the integration of the personal with the academic- contextualizing
matters discussed in the classroom and in the everyday experiences of the students-
making for better learning, generating a new appreciation for the learning process, and
developing a more critical and reflective attitude while enabling them to manage and
improve their selves to attain a better quality of life (CHED, p. 1).”
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. Discuss the different representations and conceptualization of self from various
disciplinal perspectives.
2. Compare and contrast how the Self has been represented across different disciplines
and perspectives.
3. Examine the different influences, factors, and forces that shape the self
4. Demonstrate critical and reflective thought in analyzing the development of one’s self
and identity by developing a theory of the self.
5. Explore different aspects of self and identity
6. Understand the theoretical underpinnings for how to manage and care for different
aspects of self.
COLLEGE OF ST. JOHN - ROXAS
Member: Association of LASSAI- Accredited Superschools (ALAS)
Atila Balgos St. Banica, Roxas City
Understanding the Self
Instructional Learning Kit
The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts
TOPIC 1
Objectives:
1. Differentiate the concept of self according to thought against eastern
perspective.
2. Explain the concept of self as found in Asian thoughts.
3. Create a representation of the Filipino self.
Discussion:
Eastern- also called Oriental; represents Asia
Western- represents Europe and Northern America
Confucianism
Confucianism is a system of ethics devised by the Chinese scholar K’ung Fu- tzu (Latinised to
Confucius) in sixth century BC China.
Self is characterized by relational identity which means that a person is defined by his/her
significant relationships
Self-cultivation/ self-realization is seen as the ultimate purpose of life.
The chun-tzu (man of virtue or noble character; commonly translated as “gentleman” or
“superior man”) is, above all, a man of self-cultivation.
To be a chun-tzu, man has to live by these principles:
Li is the principle of self-restraint and sense of propriety. It includes following social etiquette
and mannerisms.
Cheng means sincerity and unwavering devotion to the good.
Hsiao is love for the immediate family and then society.
Yi is the principle of righteousness.
Xin is the principle of honesty in life.
Jen is the most important of all principles. It means being kind and humane to your
fellow beings. It is about helping out others.
Chung is loyalty to one's family and to one's country.
Confucius specifies the five important relationships
King to subject
Father to son
Husband to wife
Older brother to younger brother
Friend to friend
The self in Confucianism is a subdued self. It is conditioned to respond to perceptions, not of its
own needs and aspirations, but of social requirements and obligations.
Taoism
Taoism is a religious or philosophical tradition of Chinese origin which emphasizes living in
harmony with the Tao or the Way.
Tao denotes the principle that is the source, pattern and substance of everything that exists.
Taoism disavows a hierarchical view of the self, society, or cosmos.
The self is but one of the countless manifestations of the Tao. It is an extension of the cosmos.
The perfect man has no self; the spiritual man has no achievement; the true sage has no name.
The ideal is thus selflessness.
The selfless person leads a balanced life, in harmony with both nature and society. When
selflessness is attained, the distinction between "I" and "other" disappears. One may then act
with complete spontaneity.
Buddhism
The Buddha taught that an individual is a combination of five aggregates of existence, also called
the Five Skandhas or the five heaps.
Five Skandhas
Form- our physical form
Sensation- made up of our feelings -- both emotional and physical -- and our senses -- seeing,
hearing, tasting, touching, smelling.
Perception- means thinking -- conceptualization, cognition, reasoning.
Mental Formations- includes habits, prejudices, and predispositions, and volition or willfulness
Consciousness- awareness of or sensitivity to an object, but without conceptualization
The doctrine of anatman (Sanskrit; anatta in Pali) is the core teaching of Buddhism. According to
this doctrine, there is no "self" in the sense of a permanent, integral, autonomous being within an
individual existence. What we think of as our self, the "me" that inhabits our body, is just an
ephemeral experience.
The ultimate goal is Nirvana (enlightenment). The English word enlightenment sometimes refers
to heightened intellect and reason. The original Buddhists used the word bodhi, which means
"awakened." The word Buddha is derived from bodhi and means "the awakened one."
Comparison of Western and Eastern Concepts of Self
Source: https://www.slideshare.net/Leigharenillo/eastern-and-western-philosophy-of-self
References:
Alata, E.J.P. Casilib, Jr. B. N. Serafica, J. P. J. and Pawilen R.A. (2018). Understanding the Self.
Rex Book Store. Manila, Philippines.
Brawner, D. Arcega, A. (2018). Understanding the Self. C&E Publishing, Inc. Quezon City,
Philippines.
Instructional Learning Kit
Activity Sheet
Activity 1.
Write Top 5 differences between Western and Eastern society in the table below.
WESTERN EASTERN
Activity 2. Answer the following questions in an essay format.
What do you think are the factors that make the Philippines similar or different from its Asian neighbors?
Is there a difference between regions or ethnolinguistic groups in the Philippines?
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