Module 05: The Western and Eastern Thoughts of the Self Flashcards
This dichotomy represents Asia
Eastern
This dichotomy represents Europe and North America.
Western
This belief states that the “self” is as autonomous relative to others and the environment, stressing separateness from the social world (independent).
Western Belief
What concept did the western belief used to perceive the self?
individualism
According to this belief, the self is part of a larger network of people who all help shape each other.
Eastern Belief
What concept did the eastern belief used to perceive the self?
we belief
This is a major religion common in the south Asian countries like India
and Sri Lanka.
Hinduism
In Hinduism, this is considered as the sacred, the god spirit or the universe.
Brahman
This is the human soul or the self
Atman
How did Hinduism viewed the self?
The “self” in Hinduism is just a part of a larger whole (the Brahman), which
embodies everything. The Atman of the self is tied to everything.
This Hindu belief states that each time a person dies and is reborn, it comes
closer to Brahman.
Reincarnation
While we have the tendency to think about our “self” today or tomorrow, the
Hindus think in terms of _____________________.
centuries and lifetimes
This is a common Eastern religion and philosophy where the self is often thought of as an illusion and perceived that humans are just a stream of
consciousness and not a separate entity
Buddhism
What are the two concepts in Buddhism?
Interconnectedness and the lack of self
This simply means that everything is connected
Interconnectedness