L5 Self in Western/Eastern Thought

• What do philosophers view humans as in the Western concept of the self?


  Bearers of irreplaceable values
• What did Thomas Aquinas believe about the body in relation to individuality?


  The body constitutes individuality
• What is the epitome of the Western idea of self according to Rene Descartes?


  "I think, therefore I am"
• What are the four categories of how the term 'self' is used in contemporary Western discussion?


  • Analytical
  • Individualism
  • Monotheistic
  • Materialistic/Rationalistic
• What does the analytical category of the self emphasize?


  The tendency to see reality as an aggregate of parts
• What does individualism emphasize in the context of the self?


  Self-expression and self-actualization
• How does the monotheistic view relate to the concept of self?


  It models the self after a unitary, omnipotent power
• What does the materialistic/rationalistic category tend to discredit?


  Explanations using analytic-deductive modes of thinking
• What are the earliest religious writings in the East that formed Hindu philosophy?

  The Vedas
• How is "Brahman" described in Hindu philosophy?


  As the true nature of human, a divine universal consciousness
• What does Buddhism emphasize about the concept of self?


  That the sense of a permanent, autonomous self is an illusion
• What is the term used in Buddhism that refers to "no-self"?

  Anatta
• According to Confucianism, how is personality formed?


  Through upbringing and the environment
• What are the four beginnings of the "pre-self" in Confucianism?


  Goodwill, sympathy, politeness, and generosity
• What does the heart of compassion lead to in Confucianism?


  Jen, which means rightness and respect of duty
• What does the heart of righteousness lead to in Confucianism?


  Yi, which means having the right to practice propriety
• What does the heart of propriety lead to in Confucianism?


  Li, which means wisdom expressed through practice
• What does the heart of wisdom lead to in Confucianism?


  Chih, which is expressed by practicing Jen, Yi, and Li
• How does Taoism view the self in relation to society and the cosmos?


  It rejects the hierarchical view of the self, society, or cosmos
• According to Chuang-tzu, what does the perfect man have?


  No self
• What does the Islamic tradition refer to when discussing the self?

  The Arabic word "Nafs"
• How is the self viewed in the Islamic tradition?


  As something that has to be nurtured and self-regulated
• In the Islamic tradition, how is the self related to individualism and collectivism?


  It is used in both individualistic and collective senses
• What do individualistic cultures emphasize regarding personal goals?


  That individual interests should take precedence over the state
• How do people in collectivist cultures view relationships?


  They emphasize interdependence and harmonious relatedness
• What are the three aspects of self-concept proposed by Roy Baumeister?

  • Private: Perception of one's own traits
  • Public: Generalized view of self from others' perspectives
  • Collective: View of self in a collective context
• What does the private aspect of self-concept refer to?


  Mental processes that perceive one’s own traits
• What does the public aspect of self-concept refer to?


  The perception of how others view you
• What does the collective aspect of self-concept refer to?


  The view of self in a collective concept
• How do individualistic and collective selves differ in their cultural emphasis?


  • Individualistic Self: Emphasizes independence, personal goals, and self-reliance.
  • Collective Self: Emphasizes interdependence, social networks, and fulfilling obligations.