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The Self in Western and Eastern Thought

Here are my thoughts on your questions: 1. According to the document, in Western thought the individual has more freedom to develop their own self after birth through their own experiences and choices. In Eastern/Confucian thought, the development of a collective self is ingrained from a young age through family and societal influences on how one should think and act. So the option to fully decide one's self is more limited in Confucian thought. 2. Many of the core teachings of Confucius like Ren (humaneness), Li (proper behavior), Filial piety, and emphasis on family/societal relationships are still influential in many East Asian cultures today. However, aspects like absolute obedience to hierarchical relationships may

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Yeho Shua
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188 views18 pages

The Self in Western and Eastern Thought

Here are my thoughts on your questions: 1. According to the document, in Western thought the individual has more freedom to develop their own self after birth through their own experiences and choices. In Eastern/Confucian thought, the development of a collective self is ingrained from a young age through family and societal influences on how one should think and act. So the option to fully decide one's self is more limited in Confucian thought. 2. Many of the core teachings of Confucius like Ren (humaneness), Li (proper behavior), Filial piety, and emphasis on family/societal relationships are still influential in many East Asian cultures today. However, aspects like absolute obedience to hierarchical relationships may

Uploaded by

Yeho Shua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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THE SELF IN

WESTERN AND
EASTERN THOUGHT
Individualistic Self
Collective Self
The Self in Western Thought
The Self in Confucian Thought
INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF
A person goes into the world with
the intention of living the life that
he/she chooses, making decisions,
acting upon these decisions and
taking responsibilities for
consequences.

A PERSON IS AWARE THAT ...


... HE/SHE IS NOT ALONE
AND EXIST WITH OTHERS IN
SOCIETY
A PERSON IS AWARE THAT ...
... he/she is not alone
and exist with others in
society ...
.... And that person sees himself/herself as
being capable of living his owb life ...

... Doing the things that he would love to do ...

... And making his own mistakes and learning


from his experiences.
INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF
This individual is
AWARE OF HIS RIGTHS
And
THE LIMITATION OF HIS FREEDOM IN
THE EXTANT SOCIETY.

The development begins after


birth and is observed in the
child rearing practices of
parents in the West.
COLLECTIVE SELF
In the cultures of the east, the
development of a collective self
is ingrained into the individual.

FAMILY AND THE SOCIETY


Control how the group members should
think, act and generally conduct themselves
in society.
“ALL DECISIONS MADE ARE
GROUP DECISION AND EVERY
MEMBER SHOULD FOLLOW”
COLLECTIVE SELF
COLLECTIVISTIC CULTURES
Individuals establish strong
bonds with their families and
bound by the customs, beliefs,
and tradition of the group

BUT,
INDIVIDUAL
FREEDOM is
sacrificed for the
benifit of the group.
INDIVIDUALISTIC AND
COLLECTIVE SELF
“BOTH EXIST IN A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL”
Because of the result of influences and
intermarriages between people of the East and the
West.

The sharing of To fully exercise his


knowledge and influx of freedom w/o
information from mass sacrificing his/her
media and social family and the
mediahave presently positive values
provided by his/her
taken positive aspects culture.
and blended it into one
THE SELF IN
WESTERN
THOUGHT
SELF Plays a central role in almost all
perspective of intellectual inquiry.

In other words, the cognitive basis of


Descartes the person’s thought is proof for the
existence of the self.
“I think, therefore
I am”

Kant
The self is capable of actions that
entitles it to have rights as an
autonomous agent.
This then inspired the recognition of human rights
as important in the expression of the individual
freedom.
The West
Introduced the
ECOLOGICAL Sees the self as a process that is
SELF undergoing development.

6 factors that influence


self-development SELF
1. Race The self here is seen as
2. Gender dynamic, different, and unique
3. Social Status in each individual and is
4. Education constantly exposed to an ever
5. Culture changing world
THE
SELF IN
CONFUCIAN
THOUGHT
THE SELF IN
CONFUCIAN THOUGHT
Born in the period of Zhou Dynasty in 557
BCE in the small state of Lu.
The Zhou Dynasty was characterized by
political, social, and moral disintegration.
Through scholarly study, Confucius came to be
known as Master Kong and as “Great Sage and
Teacher”.

Humanistic “He considers the society and


Social its communities as the main
Philosophy source of values of both human
(Confucius’ beingd and the society in
Philosophy) general”
CONFUCIANISM
This philosophical concept is centred on the
“Ren” -understood as goodness - which can
be manifested through the Li (Propriety),
Xiao (Filliality), and Yi (Righness).

R Signifies the Chinese culture’s emphasis on feelings or the heart


as the most important instead of the head of human nature.
Confucius belived that it is a reflection of the person’s own
understanding of humanity.

E Confucius belived that it is a reflection of the person’s own


understanding of humanity.
It can be found within eacv person and can be realized in one’s
personal life and relationship.

N It can be found within eacv person and can be realized in one’s


personal life and relationship.
CONFUCIUS believed that the ren can be
only realized through li, xiao, and yi.
Li (Propriety) Rules of propriety should be followed such as
adherence to the rituals of the community.
The basis of li which i.e.
persisted and is strengthed • Customs
by human practice through • Ceremonies
generation • Tradition

• Cultivates inner qualities


SELF- • Characterized by self-control and
the will to redirect impulses and
MASTERY change these to socially accepted
expressions of human nature
Confucius believes 5 RELATIONSHIPS
that everyone has 1. Father and Son It highlight the
duties and 2. Ruler And Object
social and public
responsibilities, 3. Older and Younger Brothers
hence 5 4. Husband and Wife character of human
relationships 5. Friend and Friend actions
CONFUCIUS believed that the ren can be
only realized through li, xiao, and yi.
Xiao (Filiality)
=
Children show respect to their
Parents should be revered for the parents by exerting efforts to take
life they had given care of themsleves

It is the virtue of
reverence and respect
for family
How the person
interacts socially and
FAMILY A reflection of the
person
the values he emulates
can all be traced back
to his family
environment
CONFUCIUS believed that the ren can be
only realized through li, xiao, and yi.
Yi (Rightness)
“UNDONDITIONAL AND ABSOLUTE”
Right is right and what is not right is wrong
Hence, Yi is the right way of behaving.
He emphasized
that actions should “Do not do

=
be performed to others
because they are
right and not for
what you do
selfish benefits not want to
that they provide. do to you”
QUESTIONS:

1.After the person is born. Does he


have the option to decide what
kind of self he wants to have?

2.Are the teachings of Confucius


still applicable to the
contemporary society

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