Republic of the Philippines

Laguna State Polytechnic University

Province of Laguna

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Second Semester, Academic Year 2020-2021
Understanding the Self
 
The Self in Western and
oriental/Eastern Thought
    

Submitted by: Group 5 Submitted to: Sir Herbert Rana

BS Electrical Engineering/ 1-A
 Self in Western and Eastern Thought
OBJECTIVES OF THE REPORT

1. Distinguish Easter from Western Constructs of the self;

2. Differentiate the individualistic self from collective self;

3. Explain the spirituality and philosophy of Confucius

 Self in Western and Eastern Thought
INTRODUCTION

• Imaginary division between cultures from Western

Europe influenced by cultures from Asia primarily by
Eastern philosophies, mainly Confucianism and vice
versa
• Eastern Thoughts – rely in intuition
• Western Thoughts – anchored in science
Self in Western and Eastern Thought:
discussion
• Huang-Ti (Yellow Emperor)

- one of the earliest rulers; champion

of Chinese Culture who introduced
wooden houses, villages and carts

- designed bow and arrow, organized

government ans use of coin commerce
Adelson-Velsky and Landis Tree
• AVL tree permits difference (balance factor) to
be only 1. If the difference in the height of left
and right sub-trees is more than 1, the tree is
balanced using some rotation techniques.

• The first two rotations are single

rotations and the next two rotations are
double rotations.
Individualistic vs. Collective Self
• Psyche is western model of soul; preoccupied by
duality of body and soul

• Aristotle proposed Hylemorphic Theory

• Plato said soul is inhabited by world of ideas while

body is in sensible world.

• Descartes proposed that body and soul are fused in

pineal gland.
Individualistic vs. Collective Self
• Arete – ultimate goodness, perfection, excellence

• Self in Eastern Perspective has no dualism; it does

nor separate, it is always ONE self

• Atman – the seat of consciousness in Indian

Philosophy

• Confucian Philosophy – relational self and

understanding of the self, relating individual and
social self
Individualistic vs. Collective Self
• Communal self – sense of community, emphasizes
unity of a nation and importance of community over
self
Individualistic vs. Collective Self
INDIVIDUALISM COLLECTIVISM
Individual goals and achievement Do as a whole rather than themselves
Individual rights are most important Family, community and collective
rights goes first
Independence is valued Selflessness
Relying on others is shameful Promote unity
People are encouraged to rely on self People are encouraged to be active in
society
Strive for own success Success as family, community or
nation
 The Social Construction of Self in
Western Thought

• Social construction - shared assumption of people in the society

• 1. Individualistic Self – pursue what is best for self
• 2. Self-sufficiency – supplying self needs without assistance
• 3. Self being rational – no time to be weak and emotional,
constantly be reasonable
• Everything can be explained by science
• Safety is derived from mastery of event concerning the self
• Successful self embraces scientific conception of things
 The Self as Embedded in Relationships and Through
Spiritual Development in Confucian Thought - Eastern
Construct

• Collectivistic, grounded on Divine Being and nature

• Originated in China
• Confucius or Kung Fu Zi – established social order by those who
guarantee peace, prosperity and harmony. He believed threat to
social order is caused by selfishness of individuals
• People exhibits refinement and compassion
• Primacy of society over individual person
• Junzi – new self formed in right education; humanistic
 The Self as Embedded in Relationships and Through
Spiritual Development in Confucian Thought - Eastern
Construct

• Religious rituals are of great importance

• Li – sacrifice; refined spiritual rituals and sacrifices
• Ren – character of self that shows compassion for others
• Junzi – new self formed in right education; humanistic
• People exhibits refinement and compassion
• Primacy of society over individual person
 QUIZ TIME!

• TRUE OR FALSE
• 1) Asia is a Western Country.
a. True b. False c. Neither
• 2) Germany is a Eastern country.
a. True b. False c. Neither
 Group 5

• Princess Ann A. Cabiente

• JohnRoniel Cao

• Romuel Ebarvia

• Michael Cresencio

THANK YOU!