Lesson 5

Lesson 5:
The Self in Western And

Eastern Thoughts
Introduction
 Different cultures and varying environment tend to create different perceptions of the “self” and
one of the most common distinctions between cultures and people is the Eastern-vs-Western
dichotomy wherein Eastern represents Asia and Western represents Europe and Northern
America.
Individualistic versus Collective Self

Understanding individualism and collectivism could help in the understanding of the cross-cultural
values of a person. Not every culture is at one end or the other of the spectrum, but the majority tend
to favor one over the other in everyday life.
Individualistic Self
 Individualism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts
toward goals is the individual. This means that we can form our own independent judgments, act
on our own thoughts, and disagree with others.
 Example of the description would include an individual identifies primarily with self, with the
needs of the individual being satisfied before those of the group. Looking after and taking care of
ourselves, being self-sufficient, guarantees the well-being of the group.
 In general, people tend to distance themselves psychologically and emotionally from each other.
One may choose to join groups, but group membership is not essential to one’s identity or
success.
 Individualist characteristics are often associated with men and people in urban settings.
 The Western culture is what we would call an individualistic culture since their focus is on the
person.
Collective Self
 Collectivism is the idea that the fundamental unit of the human species that thinks, lives, and acts
toward goals is not the individual, but some group.
 A group may make its own decisions, acts apart from the actions of individuals, and has its own
interests apart from those of the individuals that compose it.
 Group members are relatively close psychologically and emotionally, but distant toward non-
group members. Collectivist characteristics are often associated with women and people in rural
settings.
 Asian countries are known to be collective in nature.
 Asian culture is called a collectivistic culture as the group and social relations that is given more
importance than individual needs and wants.
 The Social Construction of the Self in Western Thought
 Self has been an area of interest by French and English philosophers, and evident in the ideas of
Greek philosophers like Socrates and Plato.
 Western self as analytic.
Real things are not only visualized but immaterial things like thoughts, ideas and memories would be
given emphasis.
 Western self as monotheistic.

Monotheism can be known as the rigid consequence of the doctrine of normal human being. It is like
forcing the concentration of supernatural capabilities.
 Western self as individualistic.

The emphasis on individualism has direct and indirect effects on both the presentation of self (in
public ways) and the experience of the self (in private awareness).
 Western Self as materialistic and rationalistic.

The western accentuation of rational, scientific approach to reality has tended to define spiritual and
immaterial phenomena as potentially superstitious and dangerous. In any society, belief system is
stratified and composed of a hierarchy of interrelated, causal-explanatory models.
The Self as Embedded in Relationships and through Spiritual Development
1.) Confucianism
 A code of ethical conduct, of how one should properly act according to his/her relationship with
other people
 Confucianism is centered on ren which can be manifested through the li (propriety), xiao
(filiality), and yi (rightness).
 For Confucius, ren reflects the person’s own understanding of humanity. It is found within each
person and can be realized in one’s personal life and relationship.
 Ren guides human actions that makes life worth living which can be realized through li, xiao, and
yi:
Li the propriety. Rules of propriety should be followed to guide human actions. These rules are the
customs, ceremonies, and traditions that forms the basis of li.
 According to Confucius, “to master oneself and return to propriety is humanity” (Koller, 2007).
Self mastery involves self development.
 Self mastery is characterized by self-control and the will to redirect impulses to change these to
socially accepted expression of human nature
 Li conforms to the norms of humanity, thus one must fulfill their duties and responsibilities in this
five (5) relationships: father and son, ruler and subject, older and younger brothers, husband and
wife, friend and friend.
Xiao the filiality. This is the virtue of reverence and respect for the family
 Reverence for parents and family is further demonstrated by bringing honor to the
family, making something of himself and to earn respect of other.
 Relationship that exist in the family reflect who the person relates to others in the
community.
 The family is the reflection of the person. How the person interacts socially and the
values they emulate can all be traced back to their family environment.
 This forms the bases of the person’s moral and social virtues (Koller, 2007).
Yi the rightness. The right way of behaving which is unconditional and absolute. Right is
right, and what is not right is wrong.
 Confucius emphasized that actions should be performed because they are right and not
for selfish benefits that they provide.
2.) Taoism
 Taoism emphasizes harmony between humans and the natural world.
 Rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by Confucianism and would prefer a
simple lifestyle and its teachings thus aim to describe how to attain that life
 The ideal self is selflessness but this is not forgetting about the self; it is living a
balanced life with society and nature, being open and accepting to change,
forgetting about prejudices and egocentric ideas and thinking about equality as
well as complementarity among humans as well as other beings.
Yin and Yang

3.) Buddhism
 The self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold

and control things, or human-centered needs; thus, the self is also the
source of all these sufferings.
 To forget about the self, forget the cravings of the self, break the
attachments you have with the world, and to renounce the self which is
the cause of all suffering and in doing so, attain the state of Nirvana.

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Lesson 5:

The Self in Western And

Individualistic versus Collective Self

 Western self as monotheistic.

 Western self as individualistic.

 Western Self as materialistic and rationalistic.

Yin and Yang

 The self is seen as an illusion, born out of ignorance, of trying to hold

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