The Self in Western and

Eastern Thoughts
Xides Leonore P. Conwi, LPT
Lesson Objectives

Differentiate Create
01 The concept of self according to 03 A representation of the
Western thought against Filipino Self
Eastern/Oriental Perspectives

Explain
02 The concept of self as found
in Asian thoughts
Different cultures and varying environment tend to
create different perceptions of the “self” and one of the
most common distinctions between the cultures and
people is the Eastern vs. Western dichotomy.

Western represents Europe and North America

Eastern represents Asia
Confucianism
• Code of ethical conduct
• Having a harmonious social life
• Self-cultivation is seen as the ultimate purpose of
life
• Chun-tzu – man of virtue or noble character
• “Subdued self”
• Hierarchal – order and balance
Taoism
• Living in the way of Tao or the universe.
• Rejects the hierarchy and strictness brought by
Confucianism; prefers simple lifestyle
• The self is not just an extension of the family or
the community; it is part of the universe
Taoism
• 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 idea and thinking
about equality.
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.
Buddhism
• It is our quest to forget about the self, forget the
cravings of the self, break attachments that 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.
Eastern Thoughts on the Self
• Confucianism and Taoism – in striving to become a
better person, one does not create a self above other
people or nature but a self that is beneficial to his
community as well as in order and in harmony with
everything else.

• Buddhism – the self, with all its connections and selfish

ideas, is taken not just out of the center of picture, but
from the whole picture entirely.
Western Thoughts on the Self
• Western perspective does not discount the role of
environment and society in the formation of the self but
the focus is always looking towards the self.
• You compare yourself in order to be better; you create
associations and bask in the glory of that group for your
self esteem; you put primacy in developing yourself
Western Thoughts on the Self
• Westerners may seem to have loose associations or even
loyalty to their groups.
• Competition is the name of the game.
• Several studies showed that Americans, for example,
talk more about their achievements while Asians would
rather keep a low profile as promoting self can be seen
as boastfulness that disrupts social relationships.
 Eastern vs. Western
Eastern
• Collectivistic culture
• Look after the welfare of their
groups
• Puts more emphasis on hierarchy
– they want to keep things in
order and in harmony.
Western
• Individualistic Culture
• Competes with other individuals
• Emphasize more on the value of
equality