GESOC- Understanding the Self • “Stillness of the minds”

Eastern Philosophy • The blooming of the flowers’ analogy

- “collective existence” • Our EGO distracts us in seeing our true self

- The “self” is in complete unity with the creator
• Understanding others requires force but
Western Philosophy understanding the self requires power and strength

- “individualistic” • the world in this life are good as there are elements
- The “self” is perceived as distinct with God guiding us to experience harmony.
 Collective existence- always for the benefit of the
• emptying ourselves of the negative and confusing
larger community
and worrisome thoughts we go back to what is
 The pot is distinct from the potter, with the man as
important to our lives.
the artefact of the creation
• Taoist’s principle reiterates the EGO, there is a need
Buddhism
to let go to be self-determined, to be what we ought
 Annatta- “no self” to be.
 No unchanging self
• Lao Tzu pointed out that nature was never in a hurry
 “Dukka” or suffering “Anicca” impermanence- truth
that everything happens in its perfect time and its
 “no- soul or no- self”
right schedule.
 Nothing is permanent and that no one is an
independent as we are all part of the collective • Yin and Yang
whole
 Dukka and anicca is the truth about this existence Confucianism
 No soul, no self- every human has the mind and
• Personality as a product of one’s upbringing and
body as well as the stream of consciousness
environment.
Hinduism
• Man as “Social Animal”
 “Brahman”- the true nature of the man is the “self”
• Components leading to the perfection of virtues:
 Main ideas in Hinduism involves:
1. The concept of God 1. Heart of compassion;
2. There is reincarnation in accordance with “karma”
3. The Atman or the soul that is also Brahman 2. Heart of righteousness;
4. The world we are living in is comprised of varied 3. Heart of propriety;
levels of existence
5. The paths to salvation leading to the same goal 4. Heart of wisdom.
 Atman means “Eternal self”
 Man as a social being; in this doctrine it is believed
o The atman refers to the real self beyond
that every person is born with four beginnings which
ego or false self
lead to the formation of the self.
 “I” that feels
 The practice of those virtues leading to the
o This “I” that feels and decides is the soul
formation of the self.
within our body- our true self
o The concept of moral relationship
Taoism o - Do’s rather than Don’ts
 Role of the family and community in the formation
• Lao Tzu of the self.
• “Knowing others is wisdom, knowing the  Never be idle
self is enlightenment”  No need to exert effort to achieve the real nature of
the self
• Dao’ – the ‘way’ of the world is which is the path to  The family and community play a vital role
the happiness and harmony  In the argument of Confucius, there is no need to
• Humans refuse to take the simple path and opt to go exert effort to achieve the real nature of the self
through that which causes discord, confusion and Summary
suffering
Western Philosophers

1. Socrates- Know Thyself

2. Plato- the psyche or the mind is comprised of the
three elements
3. Aristotle
4. St. Augustine- introspection or self-analysis
5. Rene Descartes- I think, therefore, I am
6. John Locke- “Tabula Rasa” the mind as a blank slate
7. David Hume- Human mind as a machine
8. Immanuel Kant- primary of experience
9. Sigmund Freud- theory of personality
10. Gilbert Ryle- the concept of mind
11. Maurice Ponty- Primary Perception

Eastern Philosophies

1. Buddhism – No soul no self

2. Hinduism - Brahman
3. Taoism – Stillness of the Mind
4. Confucianism – practiced virtues leads to the “self”