Lesson 4

Lesson 4
The Self in
western and
eastern
thought
Lesson 4
Concept of
"SELF"
in several Asian
Perspective
I am
good
I am
loved
I am a
Fighter
SEL
F
• The "self" refers to your
unique identity,
encompassing your thoughts,
feelings, experiences,
memories, and sense of
individuality.
Confucianism: The Self Relation in
Society
• A philosophy and beliefs system
from ancient China.
• Self Cultivation could be
accomplished by knowing one's
role in the society and act
accordingly.
• Confusion thought is the
individual's greatest mission of
attaining self-realization where in
self Cultivation is in instrumental.
Buddhism: The Illusion of
the Self
• There is no self (or soul)
• There is only nothing and all else
is an illusion
• They also believe that nothing is
permanent, but change.
• Literally means impermanence
• Means that everything in life is
always changing, that nothing last
forever.
Taoism: The Self as Part of the
Universe
• Taoism believes that the
self is an extension of the
cosmos, not of social
relationships.
• They describe the self as
one of the limitless forms of
Tao.
• The tao is commonly
• The Perfect man has no
self and the selfl ess
person leads to a
balanced life, in harmony
with nature.
• There should be unity and
harmony among opposing
elements; The Yin and
Concept of "SELF"
according to
Western thought
against Eastern
The Western Though
• In western though, people tend to answer
affi rmatively and think of the self as an entity
separate from others. In Eastern philosophy,
though, the self is often treated as an illusion
• Emphasis is individualistic rather than
relational
• conducted scientifi c investigation
• "the focus is always looking forward self"
• trying to fi nd the meaning of life here and
now with self at the center as it already given
and part of the divine.
The Enduring Self:
Western philosophy often posits a
stable, enduring self that exists
through time, even as the body
changes.
This enduring self is often

associated with the soul or mind,
Rationality and Self-
Awareness:
Western thought emphasizes
reason and logic as primary
tools for understanding the
self. Rene Descartes famously
declared
Rene Descartes "I think, therefore I am,"
highlighting the role of self-
Self-
Determination
and Autonomy
Western individualism places a
strong emphasis on individual
freedom and the ability to make
choices that shape one's life. This
concept of self-determination is
deeply intertwined with the
notion of an independent, self-
However, within Western
philosophy, there are also
counter-arguments to the
enduring self. David Hume,
for example, argued that
the self is not a fixed entity
but rather a collection of
David Hume
ever-changing perceptions
Eastern
Perspective
of the self
Eastern
philosophies, often
characterized by
collectivism, tend
to view the self as
interconnected
with the larger
universe, society,
and other beings.
Eastern Concepts:
The Impermanent Self: Eastern
philosophies, particularly Buddhism and
Hinduism, emphasize the impermanence
of all things, including the self. The self is
seen as a constantly changing flow of
experiences, thoughts, and emotions,
rather than a fixed entity.
The Rational
Self
Eastern thought often views the self as
defined by its relationships with others
and the natural world. The self is not
an isolated individual but rather a part
of a larger interconnected web of
existence.
The Illusory
Self
Some Eastern philosophies, such as
Buddhism, go further and argue that the
self is an illusion, a product of our minds
that creates a false sense of separation
and individuality. The goal of spiritual
practice is to transcend this illusion and
realize the true nature of reality, which is
interconnected and devoid of a separate
While Western thought
tends to focus on the
Comparing individual and self-
determination, Eastern
western and thought emphasizes the
interconnectedness of all
Eastern things and the
impermanence of the self.
Perspective These contrasting
perspectives reflect
fundamental differences in
cultural values and
It's important to note that
these are broad
Comparing generalizations, and within
both Western and Eastern
western and traditions, there are diverse
and nuanced views on the
Eastern nature of the self. However,
Perspective understanding these

fundamental differences can
provide valuable insights into
the ways we understand
Representation of
the
Filipino Self
The Filipino persona is characterized by a
strong community spirit, hospitality, strong
family ties, resilience, faith, and humor. They
are known for their ability to adapt to difficult
circumstances and utilize humor as a coping
mechanism.
Understanding the core Value and traits:
Bayanihan (Community
Spirit)
This core value emphasizes
cooperation, helping each
other, and a strong sense of
community.
Hospitality:
Filipinos are known
for their warm
welcome and
generosity towards
guests.
Family Orientation:
Family is central to
Filipino culture, with
strong ties extending
beyond immediate
family.
Resilience: Filipinos
have a history of
overcoming challenges
and adapting to
difficult situations.
Faith: Strong religious
beliefs play a significant
role in many Filipinos'
lives.
Understanding the core Value and
traits:
Humor: Filipinos often use
humor as a coping
mechanism and to lighten
even difficult situations.
Exploring the Diverse
Filipino.
THANK For
YOU
listening

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Lesson 4

This enduring self is often

Perspective understanding these

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