MODULE 2A - WESTERN/EASTERN THOUGHT Flashcards
The Western conceptualization of the self is defined in terms of:
- Western Self as Analytic
- Western Self as Monotheistic
- Western Self as Individualistic
- Western Self as Materialistic and Rationalistic
It is an analytic – deductive with emphasis on the causal links (part-to-whole relationships). They give importance to the relationship that exists among parts rather than the whole. The soul or self cannot exist by itself or apart from other parts.
WESTERN SELF AS ANALYTIC
In the Western view, the monotheistic self believes in one Supreme Being coexisting with the universe, condenses the supernatural and human into bipolarity of both qualities of existence. They believed that there is only one God who created the world without depending upon any other beings.
WESTERN SELF AS MONOTHEISTIC
Western individualism exhibits the coexistence of favorable and unfavorable conditions inherent in personal freedom. Hence, a Western Self as Individualistic is a person that promotes one’s desire and independence over a group. For instance, an individualistic person believed that his achievement results from his effort and skills and not because of anyone else.
WESTERN SELF AS INDIVIDUALISTIC
A person who focused on material things over immaterial things is described in Western Self as materialistic and rationalistic.
WESTERN SELF AS MATERIALISTIC AND RATIONALISTIC
Eastern concepts of the self are presented based on the four great systems of Eastern thought:
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Confucianism
- Taoism
an absolute reality.
- Brahman
(soul or spirit) is the true knowledge of self.
Atman
characterizes human suffering as the result of failure to realize the distinction between the true self (permanent and unchanging) and the non-true self (impermanent and changes continually).
Vedanta
the most important doctrine of Hinduism. Individual actions will lead to either good or bad outcomes in one’s life.
Law of Karma
- They deny all kinds of eternal beings or non-beings.
BUDDHISM
- There are Four Noble Truths that express the orientation of Buddhism:
- Life ultimately leads to suffering.
- Suffering is caused by attachment to desires.
- Suffering can be eliminated.
- The elimination of suffering.
“Do not do to others what you would not want others do to you”.
CONFUCIANISM
- A good relationship with other people is a virtue.
CONFUCIANISM
believe that simplicity, spontaneity, and harmony with nature should govern one’s life.
TAOISM
- An individual should live in his heart, accept himself, fully understand himself, accept himself, live at peace, and follow his instincts.
TAOISM
people participating in _______ cultures believe that they are the center of thought, action, and they come to feel distinct from others.
individualistic
people participating in a ______ culture are more likely to attend interdependent aspects such as close relationships and group memberships.
collectivistic
The social construction of self can roughly be divided into three categories:
The Self in Historical and Cultural Context
The Self as Social Accomplishment
The Critical Reflection on the Psychological Self
primarily concerned with establishing the self as a social construction.
The Self in Historical and Cultural Context
focused on specific social processes in which the conception of self is embedded.
The Self as Social Accomplishment
involves critical assessments of the cultural and political outcomes of traditional beliefs in the self.
The Critical Reflection on the Psychological Self
- Inquiry into the social achievement of the self has taken two major forms:
- The Structure of Language and The Demands By Linguistic Convention
- Conversational Practices
- Confucian thought’s central concept is the Five Virtues:
- Yi – the heart of righteousness
- Jen – the heart of compassion
- Li – the heart of proper order/propriety
- Chih – the heart of wisdom.
- ???
symbolizes the best way of doing things.
Yi
is goodwill, a willingness to do what is best for all concerned.
Jen
is the principle of order. This is another rule for good human relationships.
Li
is moral wisdom.
Chi
In Confucius’ time, one should have an interpersonal relationship with other people, and to do so, one must always do right and fair things.
HEART OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – LEADS TO YI
- In Confucianism, having good social relations, one must act in relation to others as others act.
- It is almost the same with the golden rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto to you”.
HEART OF COMPASSION – LEADS TO JEN
- It included good manners approved by the family. It consists of the elderly’s norms such as respect for elder brother and sister in the community and even to our lawmakers.
HEART OF PROPRIETY – LEADS TO LI
- People are born good, and they know the difference between right and good.
- A righteous, fair and has a sense of order, and the meaning has a heart of wisdom.
HEART OF WISDOM – LEADS TO CHIH
in the Confucian perception, is an achieved state of moral excellence rather than a given human condition.
Personality
Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow
Top to Bottom
Self-actualization
Esteem
Love/belonging
Safety
Physiological
CARL ROGERS – 3 METHODS HOW TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE-CONCEPT
Unconditional Positive Regard
Empathy
Genuineness
Proponent of Post-Modern Psychology
KENNETH GERGEN
Individual has many potential selves.
KENNETH GERGEN
suggest that there
exists in the individual different aspects of
the self. It makes sense that the self is a
whole made up of parts.
Multiple Selves Theory
A product of early experiences; a defensive
organization formed because of inadequate
parenting.
The self that is obedient to parents’ wishes
and demands.
False Self
still connected to the
true self.
Healthy False Self
makes one
continually adjust his behavior to fit in.
Unhealthy False Self
SELF-DISCREPANCY
EDWARD HIGGINS
Actual Self consists of?
Ideal Self
Ought Self
the person we want to be
Ideal Self
our understanding of what others want us to be – what we ought to be and do
Ought Self
