EASTERN AND WESTERN THOUGHTS

EASTERN (CLASSICAL INDIAN AND *WESTERN(GREEK AND JUDEO-

CHICHRISTIAN TRADITION)NESE CHRISTIAN TRADITION)
PHILOSOPHY)
INIVIDUALISM/FRAGMENTARY
*COLLECTIVISM/
DUALISTIC
WHOLISTIC
*FEELING ONE SELF as an element of
*COSMOLOGICAL UNITY: the main the Divine
point in the journey of the life of the
Life is a service to God, money business
self as it goes toward eternal realities
etc.
that surround a person
* The SELF’S linear view of the universe
*The SELF view the universe as
and life based on the Christian
circular/cyclic manner based on the
philosophy where everything has its
perception of eternal recurrence
beginning
and end
 EASTERN AND WESTERN THOUGHTS
WESTERN (GREEK AND
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN
EASTERN (CLASSICAL INDIAN TRADITION)
AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHY) Idea of the self is LOGICAL,
SCIENTIFIC AND
*In finding truth and meaning: RATIONAL
“WE” *It is the “I”
*Religion and Philosophy is One
*The action is the extension of the *Religion is independent of
Mind. Philosophy
*Me-to be discovered by liberating *Action is not necessarily a
from the false “me”-attachment translation of the mind
to the material things. *Me- is given doesn’t have to
be cognizable
 EASTERN AND WESTERN THOUGHTS
WESTERN (GREEK AND
EASTERN (CLASSICAL INDIAN JUDEO-CHRISTIAN
AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHY) TRADITION)
*Systematic Approach-all events More focused on the
in the universe are individual events and the
interconnected role of the person.
*Searching inside yourself- by Searching outside yourself-
through research and
becoming a part of the universe analysis.
through meditation and right
living.
The truth is given and it does not
The truth needs to be
have to be proved. proved.
Hinduism-Who is the self? The self is Atman
(the innermost essence of the self)
whose destiny is to be Brahma in
Nirvana. Attachment of the self to the
material world (maya/illusion) leads to
the suffering of the self (samsara). The
self has to liberate itself from this
ignorance by cultivating an authentic
knowledge (self-realization)that the
self is NOT MAYA but ATMAN.
 Buddhism
• The self is subject to the law of change (born, grows and dies).
There is no permanence.
• The self is composed of five aggregates: matter, sensation,
perception, mental construct and consciousness.
• The goal of the self is to attain enlightenment by freeing
him/herself from ignorance that causes suffering.
• To eliminate ignorance and attain enlightenment, the self
should know the four noble truths and practice the eight fold
paths.
• The self is a moral and social being. A true self is a noble
man possesses all the virtues and this noble man is
called the man of JEN.
• The four virtues the self shall posses: human-
heartedness, righteousness, ritual or property and
wisdom.
• The self should actively harmonize him/herself with the
nature by translating the innate law of nature into
action.
 TAOISM (FOUNDER: LAO TZU)
• TAO or the way of nature. The self shall passively harmonize
him/herself with the nature.
• To be able to harmonize, the self must practice the WU-WIE or
the non-interference with the natural course of events.
• The practice of WU-WIE can be achieved by practicing the
three great virtues: humility, frugality and contentment.
• So, the self should not strive for learning, riches and power but
rather lasting happiness by being quiet, thoughtful and
humble.
 Filipino Concept of the Self
• From the Catholic point of view, the understanding of the self must
be based on the concepts of PAGKATAO and LOOB.
• Pagkatao (humaness) refers to the fact that a Filipino is a human
being just like any human being.
• Loob is characterized by:
a. Holistic view of the world or non-dualistic worldview of the self
(body-soul-emotional-rational).
b. Interiority refers to love, mercy, charity, clemency and leniency
(human-heartedness). That is why we have the concepts of
kagandahang-loob, kalooban, kabutihang-loob which show the
sharing or being of oneself to others.
 Filipino Concept of the Self
In summary:
a. A Filipino is multi-layered (Spain, American, Indian, Malay, and
Chinese influences).
b. A Filipino is a relational being (family oriented, pakikisama,
hospitality, bayanihan spirit, camaraderie etc).
c. A Filipino is religious
d. A Filipino is optimistic (cyclic worldview: gulong na palad)
Estela I. Borja
Saint Louis College
San Fernando city, La Union
 EAST VS. WEST

Eastern vs Western Thought Pt.1.mp4

 THE SELF IN
EASTERN THOUGHT
INDIVIDUALISTIC SELF
The individual identifies primarily
with self, with the needs of the
individual being satisfied before those
of the group. Looking after and taking
care of oneself, being self-sufficient,
guarantees the well-being of the group.
•Individualism, states that each
individual is acting on his or her
own, making their own choices,
and to the extent they interact
with the rest of the group.
• Independence and self-reliance are
greatly stressed and valued. In general,
people tend to distance themselves
psychologically and emotionally from
each other. One may choose to join
groups, but group membership is not
essential to one’s identity or success.
• Individualistic doers are self-assured and very
independent people. They are quiet and
realistic, very rational, extremely matter of
fact people. They strongly cultivate their
individualism and enjoy applying their
abilities to new tasks. But they are also very
spontaneous and impulsive persons who like
to follow their sudden inspirations.
THE COLLECTIVE SELF

• Collectivism views the group as the

primary entity, with the individuals
lost along the way.
• The survival and success of the group
ensures the well-being of the
individual, so that by considering the
needs and feelings of others, one
protects oneself.
• Harmony and the interdependence of
group members are stressed and
valued.
• It sees the group as the important
element, and individuals are just
members of the group. The group has
its own values somehow different
from those of the individual members.
• Both collectivist and individualistic
cultures have their failings. People in
individualist cultures are susceptible to
loneliness, and people in collectivist
cultures can have a strong fear of
rejection.
 TRAITS OF INDIVIDUALISM
• "I" identity.
• Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement.
• Individual rights are seen as being the most important.
Rules attempt to ensure self-importance and
individualism.
• Independence is valued; there is much less of a drive to
help other citizens or communities than in collectivism.
• Relying or being dependent on others is frequently seen as
• People are encouraged to do things on
their own; to rely on themselves
• people strive for their own successes
 TRAITS OF COLLECTIVISM
• Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society,
to do what is best for society as a whole rather than
themselves.
• The rights of families, communities, and the collective
supersede those of the individual.
• Rules promote unity, brotherhood, and selflessness.
• Working with others and cooperating is the norm; everyone
supports each other.
• as a community, family or nation more than as an individual
EXAMPLES OF COUNTRIES WITH GENERALLY
INDIVIDUALISTIC CULTURES
United States Italy
Australia Belgium
United Kingdom Sweden
Canada
Ireland
Netherlands
Hungary (post-communist Norway
generation) Switzerland
New Zealand Germany
EXAMPLES OF COUNTRIES WITH GENERALLY
COLLECTIVISTIC CULTURES
China Malaysia
Taiwan Egypt
India Cyprus
Pakistan Ghana
Bangladesh Nepal
Indonesia Argentina
Afghanistan Armenia
ROLE PLAYING ON THE EASTERN
AND WESTERN THOUGHT