UNIT 5_ THE SELF IN THE EASTERN AND WESTERN THOUGHTS

• Confucianism - is generally taken to represent the Oriental thoughts by many.
• One of the most distinguishing hallmarks of the eastern worldview is the awareness of unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events in life. The experience of all phenomena in the world is a manifestation of basic oneness. All things are seen as interdependent and inseparable parts and parcels of the cosmic whole. The interdependency of the different things in the world is the manifestation of the same ultimate reality. Finding truth, meaning, and purpose in one's life is a collective effort.
• Western philosophy - is associated with science and religion, and the main values are individual success, achievements, and happiness. The relationship with others is based on self-dedication to be at the service of others. Life is seen as service to God, money, and community. This individualistic approach to life leads to the construction of the world of individual differences. It tends to prize autonomy over collective wisdom and effort. An individual is a self-made whose life's achievements do not necessarily depend on others and society in general.
• The advancement of technology has created much confidence and independence in the self.
• western thoughts - do not have any holistic view on reality. Its worldview underscores the importance of the parts rather than the whole.
• The self is seen as two opposing parts, the body-soul component. This dualistic and mechanistic perception has a tremendous influence on all aspects of life.
• western perspective - every individual self is regarded as an independent entity that has inalienable right to one's life.
• Progress and civilization, which are often measured merely by economic activities, can only be achieved on the basis of the recognition of the individual rights. Individual rights are given prominence over duties.
• Due Christian influences, the world, and life and its past are seen and remembered in a linear manner where everything is seen to have a definite beginning and end. Development or improvement is linear, which means it is goal oriented. Once the goal is achieved, the improvement ends.
• eastern thought - values unity and harmony and being part of the greater whole, where everything is connected and interdependent with others and nature. The belief in the ultimate and philosophy are one with life. Life is a translation or extension of the self. Spiritual beliefs and life are connected. Life and the activity of the self have a spiritual dimension
• eastern thought - is considered a relational being whose very existence is defined by his being blended harmoniously with the other selves, all things and events. The self is fundamentally connected with the other selves and is an integral part of the universe and society.
• WESTERN - GREEK AND JUDEO-CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS

  EASTERN - CLASSICAL INDIAN AND CHINESE PHILOSOPHIES
• THE SELF IN HINDUISM - 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 suffering (samsara). Reincarnation of the self is a form of suffering because the self keeps coming back to the material-world thinking that it is its real destiny.
• THE SELF IN HINDUISM (2) - The self has to liberate itself from this ignorance by cultivating an authentic knowledge (self-realization) that the self is NOT MAYA but ATMAN. When the self has been thoroughly cleansed from its illusions, the self is filled with a sense of well-being, and at death, its soul is liberated from endless rebirths (reincarnation) and join the universal spirit Brahma and becomes one with Brahma.
• THE SELF IN BUDDHISM - The doctrine of non-self or annata dictates that the self is subject to the law of change. Everything, including the self, is always in constant change: born, grows, and dies. The self is composed of five aggregates: matter, sensation, perception, mental construct, and consciousness. Each aggregate is transitory in nature. That is why there is no such thing as permanent self.
• Buddhism discards the existence of the self. The idea of the self is illusory. This false belief that self is permanent yields harmful thoughts of selfish desire, "me-and-mine" mentality, craving, attachment, ill-will, hatred, conceit, pride, egoism, and any other defilements and social problems. It is the source of all troubles in societies.
• THE SELF IN CONFUCIANISM - The self is a moral and social being. Confucius was essentially concerned with what made a good life. Good life depends on order, and order depends on good and just government. If a ruler lives and governs virtuously, virtuous people would obey him. Virtue consists of correct behavior, such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and loyalty.
• These virtues must guide human relations, namely, (a) between ruler and people: (b) between parents and children; (c) between husband and wife; (d) between elder brother and younger brother; and (e) between friends and friend. A true self is a noble man who possesses all the virtues, and this noble man is called the man of JEN.
• The highest achievement of every human being is being a wise person. As a wise person, his highest achievement is affinity with the universe. The happiness of the self is found in the self's conformity with nature. Confucius advocated the active role of man in relation to creating oneness with nature. Since the self is the master of nature, his duty is to actively harmonize himself with nature by translating the innate law of nature or virtues into action.
• THE SELF IN TAOISM - As a philosophy, Taoism advocates what is natural and spontaneous, simple, and necessary. Taoism derived its name from its central idea, Tao or the Way of nature. Taoism, just like Confucianism, aimed at humanity's oneness with nature. But Taoism contradicted Confucianism with regard to how oneness shall be achieved. Taoism considers the self as merely one of the many elements of the natural world.
• Tao is an indescribable force that governs nature. The self must bring himself in harmony with Tao by practicing the three great virtues: humility, frugality, and contentment. The self should not strive for learning, riches, and power; the self should find lasting happiness by being quiet, thoughtful, and humble. In other words, to be able to harmonize, the self must practice the WO-WIE or the noninterference with the natural courses of events.
• Nature is the master of humanity-Taoism
• FILIPINO CONCEPT OF THE SELF - Most of our worldviews are in common with the other oriental thoughts. But some neighboring countries often consider the Filipino as the most westernized person because of the captive or colonial consciousness that has long been imbued in us.
• FILIPINO CONCEPT OF THE SELF - Our understanding of the Filipino as a self must be based on the concepts of PAGKATAO and LOOB. Pagkatao or humanness indicates the fact that a Filipino is a human being just like anyone else. The concept of loob is exemplified by Filipino holistic worldview and interiority (human heartedness). With this non-dualistic worldview, the self is seen as a body-soul embodiment. Life is not seen as compartmentalized, the present is the continuation of the past, and this continuity moves in a eylie manner that has no beginning and no end Gulong ng Palad).
• A Filipino does not distinguish the subject from the object, the person from feelings. Harmonious relationship is of prime importance; this is maintained by the value of sensitivity. Interiority pertains to love, mercy, charity, clemency, and leniency. This human heartedness is mirrored in the Filipino concepts of kagandahang-loob, kabutibang loob, kalooban, which somehow depict our interdependency with others. The self, therefore, is a relational being, who thinks, acts, behaves, and decides always in accordance with his being with others.