Module 2.5 The Self in Western and Eastern Thought Flashcards
Through the process of introspection and reflection, a man decides to search for his purpose in life and the role he plays in this world.
Individualistic Self
A person who makes most of his life, going into the world with the life he chooses, making decisions,
acting upon these choices and taking full responsibilities of the consequences is called?
Individualistic Self
• Is aware that he is not alone and exists with others.
• Sees himself as capable of living his own life, doing
things he loves, making mistakes and learning from it.
• Is aware of his rights and limitations of his freedom.
• Sets goals ang works hard to achieve the
Individualistic Self
Independence and self-reliance form __ of the self in Western cultures.
development
For example, 18 years old Americans are expected to ‘move out’ of their home.
Individualistic Self
___ people are expected to have the ability to stand alone
Individualist
The cultures of the East is focuses with the ___ of individuals.
collective self
It’s where the identity of the individual is lost and does not exist except as a part of the group.
Collective Self
The family and society control how group members
should think, act and behave in society.
Group members depend on each other
Collective Self
• Establish strong bonds with their families.
• Are bound by the customs, beliefs, and traditions of the group
Collective Self
Examples of issues decided by the group are
gender roles, marriage, practices and patriarchy
Collective Self
In society, collectivism fosters nationalistic attitude as what the group believes
Collective Self
True or False
In contemporary society, both individualistic and
collective self may exist in an individual resulting from influences and intermarriages between people of the East and the West
True
Plays a central role in almost all perspectives of
intellectual inquiry.
Self in Western Thought
Has been an area of interest by the French
and English philosophers.
Western thought
Is an entity whose proof of existence is most
challenging by Greek philosophies of Socrates
and Plato
Western Thought
✘ Self exists regardless of his environment.
✘ The cognitive basis of the person’s thoughts is proof for the existence of the self.
Descartes
✘ Self is capable of actions that entities it to have rights as an autonomous agent.
✘ This then inspired the recognition of human rights as important in the expression of individual freedom
Kant
___ sees the self as a process that is
undergoing development.
Ecological self
Factors that influence self-development:
• Human and biological and environmental
characteristics such as
Race
Gender
Social Status
Education
Culture
Self is seen as _______ and
constantly exposed to an ever changing world
dynamic, different and unique
the name for which Kong Zhongi of China was known in the West
Confucius
Confucius was born in Zhou dynasty period in 551 BCE in small state of __ .
Lu
Grew up poor even though he descended from a scholarly family
Confucius
___ dynasty was characterized by political,
social and moral disintegration in China.
Zhou
Through scholarly study, Confucius came to be
known as _____ and
‘Master Kong’ and as ‘Great Sage Teacher’
that although the way of humans is grounded in
the way of heaven and operates in harmony with
the way of nature, it is to the ideals of the human
way that people must turn for guidance in
reforming and renewing society.
Confucius
The philosophical concept of Confucianism is centered on
Ren
Propriety
Li
Filiality
Xiao
Rightness
Yi
___ can be understood as human goodness which makes human beings different from beasts.
Ren
It involves feelings and thinking which serves as the foundation of human relationships
Ren
Ren signifies the Chinese culture’s emphasis on ___ or the ___ as the most important instead of the head in human nature.
feelings, heart
Confucius believed that __ is a reflection of the person’s own understanding of humanity
Ren
▪ It is found within each person
▪ Guides human actions
▪ Makes life worth living
Ren
To abandon ren means abandoning
what is
Truly Human
Respect for traditions
Li
Rules of propriety should be followed in order to guide human actions.
Li
Such rules involve adherence to the
rituals of the community:
❑ Customs
❑ Ceremonies
❑ Traditions
The rules forms the basis for li which persisted and strengthened by human practice through ___.
generations
Self-___ involves self-development
mastery
is characterized by self-control and the will to redirect impulses and change socially accepted expressions of human nature.
Self-mastery
conforms to the norms of society
Li
Confucius believes that everyone has duties and responsibilities hence five relationships.
Li
5 relationships in Li
5 relationships
1) Father and son
2) Ruler and subject
3) Older and younger brothers
4) Husband and wife
5) Friend and friend
Respect for family
Xiao
is the virtue of reverence and respect for family.
Xiao
Parents should be revered for the life they had given.
Xiao
Children show respect to their parents by exerting efforts to take care of themselves
Xiao
____ for parents and family is further demonstrated by bringing honor to the family,
making something of himself to earn the respect of others.
Reverence
If the person is having difficulty giving his family honor, he should do his best not disgrace the
family
Xiao
Relationship that exist in the family reflect how the person relates to ___
others
Family is the reflection of a person.
Xiao
How the person interacts socially and values acted upon can be traced back to his family
environment which forms the bases of the person’s moral and social virtue
Xiao
Respect for rules
Yi
− It is the right way of behaving.
− Unconditional and absolute.
− Right is right and what is not right is wrong.
Yi
- There are no gray areas.
− Actions must be done because they are the right actions.
− For example: obedience to parents which is expected from children because it’s morally
right and obligated to do so
Yi
___ are virtues observed in a
person whose humanity is developed,
morally cultivated and aware
Li, Xiao and Yi
According to Confucianism, ___ people result in a well-rounded, civilized, humane society
virtuous
