MODULE 5

The Self in Western and oriental/Eastern Thought

Topic 1: Western Concept of Self
Topic 2: Eastern Concept of Self

Topic 1& 2 : The Western and Eastern concept of the Self

Learning Outcomes:At the end of the learning module, the student is expected to:
(1.)Distinguish the eastern from the western constructs of the self; and
(2.)differentiate the individualistic self from the collective self;

Reference(s) :Otig V.S., Gallinero, W. B., Bataga, N. U., Salado, F. B. (2018). A

holitic approach in understanding The Self. Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
Villafuerte, S. L., Quillope, Al F., Tunac, R.C., & Borja, E.I. (2018). Understanding
the self. Nieme Publishing House Co. Ltd.

Concept/Digest : ( Read and study the concept, you can even add more
information. Just search in the Google Website for each topic)

It is important in understanding of the self that we realize the blending of the eastern or oriental traditions of Asia
and the pacific, and the western traditions of the of Europe and North America. Moreover, we also have to
comprehend the intermingling of the North which is commonly referred to as developed countries, and the South
referring to the developing countries of Asia, Africa and some parts of South America. The concepts we have of
ourselves are actual appreciation of the unity between the East-West and the North-South.

This activity allows you to get in touch with yourself and give you the chance to mirror the self that you have lived
ENGAGE
for several years.

Watch your thoughts, they become words.

Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become character.
Watch your character, they become your destiny.

Lao Tzu
Instructions: Choose your chat mate and share your thoughts about the saying composed by the famous leader
and Chinese philosopher- Lao Tzu. Just a simple sharing of thoughts and insights.

This activity the teacher will facilitate you to make a decision if you see yourself by focusing on your own
personality traits or focusing on your relationships with others.
EXPLORE

Focus activity: “People Around Me!”

Sentence Completion: You are tasked to finish the sentence on anything that comes first in your mind.
1. I am ____________________________________.
2. I think of _________________________________.
3. I prefer to engage on________________________.
4. I am recently______________________________.
5. I got the__________________________________.
6. I received my______________________________.
7. I was informed that__________________________.
8. I am the newly______________________________.
9. I have_____________________________________.
10. I am happy with my__________________________.

Instructions: Please complete the sentence and submit to the leader assigned to collate the tasks.

This activity aims to understand how the individuals express themselves, how they behave and make decisions
based on their cultural traditions.
EXPLAIN

 You noticed that each one is given the chance to present himself/herself according to his/her cultural
background. Although others seem to be reluctant to express bluntly their inner desires but basically we
could perceive that cultural traditions and social practices regulate the individuals way of handling the self.
 An individual thinks, feels and behaves similarly as that of the members of his or her community.
However, each community has its own standards, expectations and rules that shape its members. These
differences are the reason people are markedly divergent-moving in different directions.
This activity aims to discuss the two concepts of the self, from the western perspectives as well as the oriental
thoughts about self.
ELABORATE

 Western Concept of Self:

- Psychiatrist and professor, Frank Johnson (1985), outlined four(4) categories on how the term “self” is
used in contemporary western discussion.
1. Analytical – this is the tendency to see reality as an aggregate parts. That means the “self” is an
observer separate and distinct from external objects.
2. Monotheistic- it involves the tendency toward unitary explanations of phenomena and a closed-
system view of “self” as modeled after a unitary, omnipotent power (“Man was created by God,
in His image).
3. Individualistic- it is a quality of western thinking where self-expression and self-actualization are
important ways of establishing who one is, as well as in finding satisfaction in the world.
4. Materialistic/Rationalistic-that means the western thinking tends to discredit explanations that do
not use analytic-deductive modes of thinking.
 Eastern Concept of Self:
- The earliest religious writings in the East are the “Vedas.” It formed the Hindu philosophy and dharma
(principle of cosmic order).
- The chants and hymns in the Vedas illustrate the eastern mindset of a nondual universe but rather a
creation that is completely unified with the creator, with no distinction
- According to these sacred Hindu texts, the true nature of humans is described as “Brahman”-is the
divine universal consciousness encompassing the universe. Brahman is the self that is all within us.
- One of the main points of Hinduism is “change your perception of the world to perceive the Brahman in
oneself and in others”
- Buddhismis composed of the teachings of Buddha. In Buddhist traditions, the “self” is not entity, a
substance or essence. Rather, the “self” is a dynamic process.
- The Buddha taught a doctrine called annatta, which is defined as “no-self or no-soul” Annatta is a
concept that the sense of being a permanent, autonomous “self” is an illusion. It is the teaching that there
is no eternal, unchanging “self/soul” inhabiting our bodies or living our lives.
- In Confucianism, the quest for the “self” in terms of substance, of spirit, of body or of essence does not
exist. The concept of self is that of personality. The qualities that form a person’s character are not
something that exists inherently. But, it is something that is formed through upbringing and the
environment.
- Confucian philosophy presented the idea that every person is born with four beginnings.
- The Four (4) beginnings:
1. Heart of compassion that leads to Jen
2. Heart of righteousness that leads to Yi
3. Heart of propriety that leads to Li
4. Heart of wisdom that leads to Chih
- Jen, Yi, Li and Chih are the perfection of the virtues that at the start were mere potentials.
- Jen means goodwill, sympathy toward others, politeness and generosity.
- Yi means rightness and the respect of duty (you must respect your position as a guardian toward nature
and humanity).
- Li means having the right to practice propriety in all that you do. Propriety involves not demonstrating
your inner attitude in your outer expression.
- Chih means wisdom, this wisdom is expressed by putting jen, yi and li into practice.
- Personality in the Confucian perception is an achieved state of moral excellence rather a given human
condition. The Confucian concept of self is deeply embedded within the family and society and it is only
in that context that the self comes to be what it is.
- Taoism does not regard the “self” as an extension of social relationships. The self is one of the countless
manifestations of the Tao. It is an extension of the cosmos( or the universe seen as a well-ordered whole).
- Chuang-tzu is regarded as a mystic of unmatched brilliance in China, gave an explicit negation of the
centrality of the “self’
- According to Chuang-tzu, the perfect man has no self, the spiritual man has no achievement, the true
sage has no name. The ideal is selflessness- it means selfhood entails conscious self-transformation
leading to the attributes of a balanced life in harmony with both nature and society.
- The Arabic word for the word “self” is Nafswritten in the Holy Qur’an. It pertains to the psyche
( totality of the conscious and unconscious human mind) or the soul. The Quran does not ascribe any
property of goodness or evil to the “nafs/self” instead, it is something which has to be nurtured and self-
regulated so that it can progress into becoming good through its thoughts and actions.
- The self in Islamic tradition is used both in the individualistic and collective sense.

Features of Individualism Features of Collectivism

 “I” identity
 Promotes individual goals, initiative and  Each person is encouraged to be an
achievement. active player in society, to do what is
 Individual rights are seen as being the most best for society as a whole rather than
important. Rules attempt to ensure self- themselves.
importance and individualism.  The rights of families, communities
 Independence is valued, there’s much less of a and the collective supersede those of
drive to help other citizens or communities. the individual.
 Relying or being dependent on others is  Rules promote unity, brotherhood and
frequently seen as shameful. selflessness.
 People are encouraged to do things on their own,  Working with others and cooperating
rely on themselves. is the norm, everyone supports each
 People strive for their own successes. other.
 As a community, family or nation
more than as an individual.

- Our understanding of the self therefore, must not only be limited to the dividing differences between east
and west.
This activity facilitates application of learning as well as the expression of insights towards understanding the self
in Western and Eastern lenses.
EVALUATE

Instructions: You are tasked to write a short reflective essay with 10 sentences about your realizations or insights
about the two important perspectives- the western and eastern concepts of the self.

1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________
5. ____________________________________________________________
6. ____________________________________________________________
7. ____________________________________________________________
8. ____________________________________________________________
9. ____________________________________________________________
10. ____________________________________________________________

RUBRIC FOR MAKING A REFLECTIVE ESSAY

Advance (5) Developing (3) Emerging (1) Score

Exceptionally well- Well-presented and Content is sound and

presented and argued; ideas are solid; ideas are present
Content argued; ideas are detailed, developed and but not particularly
detailed, well- supported with developed or supported;
developed. evidence and details, some evidence, but
mostly specific. usually of a generalized
nature.

Organization is Organization is Organization is confused

coherent, unified coherent and unified and fragmented in
Organizatio and effective in overall in support of the support of the essay’s
n support of the paper’s purpose/ plan, purpose/ plan and
paper’s purpose but is ineffective at demonstrates a lack of
times and may structure or coherence
demonstrate abrupt or that negatively affects
weak transitions readability.
between ideas or
paragraphs.

Shows a pattern of errors

in spelling, grammar,
Mechanics Excellent grammar, A few errors in
and syntax. Could also
spelling, and grammar, spelling, and
be a sign of lack of
syntax. syntax but not many.
proof-reading.