The Selfin Westernand Eastern Thoughts

The Self in Western and
Eastern Thoughts
THE SELF FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES
INTRODUCTION:
Do we exist for ourselves or for others? Do live for self-realization and self-
actualization or do we live for self-realization and self-actualization or do we
live for the common good? This is how the western and eastern perspectives
about the self differ. The West is self-oriented. The former values freedom
and choice and wants to free itself from the bondage of society. The latter
values relationships and social obligation and looks at the welfare of society.
The former seeks to create its own identity but the latter identifies with the
group.
The attempt to determine the differences between the perspectives of the

West and East toward the self was carried out by social psychologists. They
found out that in modernized countries people grow more analytical and
individualistic, while in developing nations, people remain collectivistic.
Individualism & Collectivism
Individualism is an orientation concerned with the
independence and self-reliance of the individual, while
Collectivism is an orientation characterized by belongingness to
larger groups or collectives.
Individualistic cultures put more emphasis on promoting the individual
and the immediate family’s welfare. Collectivistic cultures, on the other
hand, give more importance to loyalty to the in-group, which in turn
takes care of the individual’s welfare (Hui & Triandis, 1986).
Self as individualistic
The conception of the self as individualistic
It gives more emphasis on freedom and choice-
an independent self that is free from the influence of
culture and environment and from the expectations and
welfare of society.
It emphasizes the uniqueness of every individual
and is predicted on egoism or self-orientedness.
It describes the self as existing and distinct from
others. Individualism foregrounds that a human being has
a self, is an individual, and is a person.
It gives more emphasis on individual goals and his
or her journey towards self-realization or self-
actualizaiton.
The self is free to express itself.
Self as Collectivistic
The eastern conception of the self is collectivistic; it gives
more importance on relationships, roles, duties, obligations, and
the preservation of culture and tradition.
It prioritizes the needs and goals of society over the needs
and desires of every individual.
It is founded on the belief that people are socially
connected. It puts more importance on belongingness to a larger
group and emphasizes social obligations. Individual behavior is
guided by adjustments to social demands and situations.
It is others-oriented because it encourages people to be
kind, benevolent, charitable, dependable, and sensitive to the
needs of others. It promotes selflessness, sacrifice for the welfare of
society, and the performance of assigned roles.
Collectivism stresses that an individual has “many selves”
instead of having a one knowable self. Self is viewed as part of a
“We” instead of only a “Me”.
People in an individualistic
culture might describe themselves in
terms of personality traits and
characteristics, e.g., “I am brave,
generous, loyal, and honest.”
Those from a collectivistic
culture would more likely describe
themselves in terms of social
relationships and roles, e.g., “I am a
law-abiding citizen” or “I am a loyal
husband
Comparative Matrix of western and Eastern Approaches to
Understanding to Self
Dimension Western Thought Eastern Thought
Frame of Reference There is a separation between philosophy and Religion and Philosophy are intertwined.
religion/spirituality.
Schools of Thoughts/ Scholasticism Hinduism
Belief Systems Rationalism Buddhism
(among others) Empiricism Confucianism
Phenomenology Taoism
Notable Philosophers Greek Triumvirate: Confucius
Socrates, Plato and Aristotle Lao Tzu
Rene Descartes Siddharta Gautama (Buddha)
John Locke
Source Of Knowledge Has made use of reason rather than faith to Has trusted intuition and often associated with
pursue wisdom religious belief.
Modes of Cognition Analytic and deductive Synthetic and inductive
View of Self Egocentric Sociocentric
Theological View Monotheistic Polytheistic (Pluralistic)
Ideal Self-actualization through personal growth To achieve a balanced life and find one’s role in
society
Eastern thoughts
Religious beliefs and political philosophies that greatly influenced the mindset of collective culture.
Hinduism
The Hindu concept of self revolves
around the notion of Vedanta. Vedanta
characterizes human suffering caused by failure
to distinguish distinction between the true self
(unchanging, permanent) and the non-true self
(impermanent, continually changing). The goal of
a person is to have knowledge of the true reality
called Brahman. The true knowledge is self –
called Atman (soul/spirit) is synonymous to
Brahman.
The law of karma is the most important
doctrine of Hinduism which implies that
individual actions will lead to either good or bad
outcomes in life.
Buddhism
Siddharta Gautama, also known as Buddha,
is the founder of Buddhism. Its root word budh
means to awake, that is, opening the eyes would
lead to understanding more about the self and the
world. In Buddhism, every person has the seed of
enlightenment, hence, the potential to be a Buddha
(enlightened man). (Mansukhani, 2013)
Buddhism is famous for its Four Noble
Truths and Eightfold Path.
In this philosophy, man is the summation of
its five parts (matter, sensation, perception, mental
constructs and consciousness) that compose the
individual. (Villaba,1995). Man has no self (or no-
soul). There is only nothing and all else is illusion.
The ideal is to reach Nirvana (state of wholeness)
through meditation.
Confucianism
Its doctrines are found in the
Analects (Conversations of Confucius). Its
core thought is the Golden Rule: “Do not
do unto others what you would not want
others to do to you.” The Five Cardinal
Relationships (ruler-minister, father-son,
husband-wife, between brothers,
between friends) are the most important.
The individuals greatest mission is
to achieve self-realization the self-
cultivation. Self-cultivation is
accomplished by knowing one’s role in
society and acting accordingly.
Taoism
Taoism is a Chinese
counterculture.
In Taoism, self is an extension of
the cosmos, not of social relationships.
The self is described as one of
the limitless forms of the Tao (nature).
Taoists believe that the perfect man
has no self. Selflessness is attained
when the distinction between “I” and
“other” dissolves.

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The Selfin Westernand Eastern Thoughts

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The Self in Western and

The attempt to determine the differences between the perspectives of the

Belief Systems Rationalism Buddhism

(among others) Empiricism Confucianism

Socrates, Plato and Aristotle Lao Tzu

Rene Descartes Siddharta Gautama (Buddha)

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