III. Western and Eastern Perspective of Self Flashcards
• Have their own perceptions of the self
• Both constructs, describes, and investigates the self in the social context (always
relating to the society)
• The distinct contrast of the western and eastern thought lies on how the self is seen in
relation to others.
EAST AND WEST
Awareness of unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events in life.
All things are seen as interdependent (e.g. karma, connection to nature)
Eastern
Associated with science. Main values are individual’s success, achievements
and happiness. A person’s life is self-made.
Western
• Technology gave confidence and
independence to man to perceive the self
• Do not have a holistic view of reality
• Emphasis on the importance of the parts
rather than the whole
• Has a dualistic and mechanistic
perception of the self (body-soul
component)
• Values independence and freedom. The
self is an independent entity
• The individual self is the master and the
architect of his own life.
• Individual Goals
The Western
• Values unity and harmony and being
part of the greater whole
• Everything is connected and
interdependent
• Life is a translation or extension of the
self (what you do, or experience is only a
reflection of your self being part of the
greate whole)
• The self is a relational being. Existence
is defined by his relationships, other
selves, and all things and events.
• Harmony is the key for interdependence.
• Shared goals
The Oriental
Separates religion and philosophy
Scientific
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Renee
Descartes
Reason
Distinction
Ego-centric
Monotheistic
Self-actualization
WESTERN
Religion and philosophy are
intertwined
Relates religion
Confucius, Lao Tzu, Siddharta
Gautama
Intuition, faith
Commonalities
Socio-centric
Polytheistic
Balanced life and a role in society
Eastern
EASTERN MAJOR
PHILOSHOPIES
BUDDHISM
HINDUISM
CONFUCIANISM
TAOISM
root word for wake
Budh
known as Buddha
Siddharta Gautama
The self is subject to the law of change. It born, grows and dies.
Buddhism
The self is made of five aggregates;
Buddhism
-matter
-senstation
-perception
-mental construct
-and consciousness.
The goal of the self is to achieve elightenment -
Nirvana, through meditation.
means that everything in life is always
changing, that nothing lasts forever. Ignorance of this may lead
to an illusion of self.
Anicca (Impermanence)
Eightfold Path
Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
Right thought (Samma sankappa)
Right speech (Samma vaca)
Right action (Samma kammanta)
Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
Right effort (Samma vayama)
Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
Right concentration (Samma samadhi)
Oldest religion in the world
from India.
HINDUISM
Hindus believe that an
individual’s action _____
karma
person’s mental and
physical actions are binding. The law of
karma is very much verifiable in real life.
Law Of Karma
4 levels of the pyramid (hinduism)
+1
Bhramin
Kshatryia
Vaishya
Sudra
Untouchables
cleansed from illusions and filled with sense of well-
being
self realization
The self must detach itself to the Maya or illusion. This illusion is the
material world.
Being attached to the material world leads to suffering or samsara.
Reincarnation to the material world is a form of suffering because of the
cycle of death and rebirth.
Hinduism
the innermost essence of the self whose destiny is
to be with _____ (the creator, the universal spirit), in _____ (non-birth)
The self is the Atman
Brahma
Nirvana
the starting point of a
constructive process
CONFUCIANISM
For western philosophers,
the concept of the self is
the end of their searches.
Focuses on morality and
ethics.
CONFUCIANISM
_____ consideration of one ’s identity is extended from the present to the past and to the future.
The question Who am I? is essentially related to Where am I from and Who will I be?
The self is a moral and social being. Good life depends on order, and order depends on good and just government.
CONFUCIANISM / confucian
The goal of self is to be
one with nature (or
cosmos).
Relativity of opposites
i.e. yin and yang.
Self does not exist
without the existence of
the other
TAOISM
The self must bring himself
in harmony with Tao by
practicing the three great
virtues: ________
Taoism
humility, frugality, and
contentment.
Most of the problems
in the world is caused
by the active
participation of the
self. Too
much involvement will
lead to destuction.
Taosim
The self should not strive
for learning, riches and
power; the self should
find happines
by being quiet,
thoughtful and humble.
taoism
This is called the
practice of ____ or
the non
interference with the
natural course of
events.
WU WIE
shadow or darkness, things that are
quieter, aloof, the moon, and all
things with dark energy
YIN
warmth, positive energy, active
motion, and the sun
YANG
