Unit 5: The Self From Eastern and Western Perspectives Flashcards
The 4 main principles of Eastern Philosophy
- cosmological unity
- life is a journey towards eternal realities
- circular view of universe
- behavioral ethics
The 4 main principles of Western Philisophy
- feeling of oneself as an element of the divine
- life is a service
- linear view of universe
- self-dedication to the goal
The “Me” concept of Eastern Philosophy
Discovering the true me; your purpose in the world
The “Me” concept of Western Philosophy
The true me in every human being needs to become apparent
Eastern Philosophy’s search for absolute truth
- Achieving one’s part and purpose in society
- Searching inside yourself
Western Philosophy’s search for absolute truth
- Seeking the reason of everything not only one oneself
- Searching outside of yourself
Eastern Philosophy’s search for truth and fundamental research
- Truth is given but not proven
- Philosophical base and culture weaker
Western Philosophy’s search for truth and fundamental research
- Truth needs to be proven
- Philosophical base and culture stronger
Eastern Philosophy’s view on individualism and collectivism
Collectivism dominant
Western Philosophy’s view on individualism and collectivism
Individualism dominant
Eastern Philosophy’s goals and key to success
Spiritual
Western Philosophy’s goals and key to success
Materialistic
Western Philosophy’s 4 concepts of self
- analytical
- monotheistic
- individualistic
- materialistic/rationalistic
The inclination to see actuality as an aggregate of parts
Analytical
(Epistemology)
Study of the nature and origin of knowledge
Epistemology
The 2 branches of epistemology
- Rationalism
- Empiricism
The tendency towards unitary explanations of phenomena and a closed system view of self
Monotheistic
(Christian Philosophy)
A quality where self-expression and self-actualization are essential ways of establishing who one is, as well as discovering satisfaction in the world
Individualistic
(Western Nihilism)
A belief that challenges religious doctrines and traditions and views life as having no purpose; the goal is to become an Ubermensch by living according to one’s purpose and not at the expectations of society
Western Nihilism
A quality that discredits explanations that do not use analytic-deductive modes of thinking
Materialistic
(Stoicism)
A belief that gives importance to freedom from passion
Stoicism
Eastern Philosophy’s 3 concepts of self
- Confucianism
- Taoism
- Buddhism
A religion that teaches the importance of identifying oneself to the community; Self Cultivation is the purpose of life
Confucianism
The 6 fundamental principles of Confucianism
- Li (self-restraint)
- Hsiao (love for family and society)
- Yi (righteousness)
- Xin (honesty)
- Jen (kind and humane)
- Chung (loyalty)
A religion that teaches the importance of reaching Nirvana or removal of Dukkha (suffering)
Buddhism
The 4 noble truths of Buddhism
- all beings are subject to Dukkha
- Dukkha arises from desirs and craving
- Dukkha can be overcome by elimination of desire and craving
- the Noble Eightfold Path is the way out of Dukkha
A religion that upholds that humans and animals should live in balance with the universe
Taoism
The 3 jewels of Taoism
- Compassion
- Moderation
- Humility
The principle that all things exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites
Yin & Yang
