The Self in the Western and Eastern Thought

• Difference in Western and Eastern Thought

  A) Separation

  B) intertwined

  C) Scholasticism

  D) Rationalism

  E) Empiricism

  F) Phenomenology

  G) Hinduism

  H) Buddhism

  I) Confucianism

  J) Taoism

  K) Socrates

  L) Plato

  M) Aristotle

  N) Rene Descartes

  O) John Locke

  P) Confucius

  Q) Lao Tzu

  R) Siddharta Gautama

  
• Differences of Western and Eastern Thoughts

  A) Reason

  B) Faith

  C) Intuition

  D) Religious Belief

  E) Analytic and Deductive

  F) Synthetic and Inductive

  G) Distinctions

  H) Oppositions

  I) Commonalities

  J) Harmonies

  K) Linear

  L) Circular

  M) Egocentric

  N) Sociocentric

  
• Differences of Eastern and Western

  A) Monotheist

  B) Polytheist

  
• Differences

  A) Individualism

  B) Collectivism

  
• Confucianism - A code of ethical conduct, of how one should properly act according to their relationship with other people
• Confucianism - Focused on having a harmonious social life
• Confucianism - Identity and self concept are interwoven with identity and status of his/her community or culture
• Self-cultivation - is seen as the ultimate purpose of life in Confucianism
• Other scholars referred to self-cultivation as "subdued self"
• Subdued self means to repressed personal needs for the good of many
• Confucian society are hierarchal for the purpose of maintaining order and balance in society
• Tao - which means the universe
• Taoism - The self is not just an extension of the family or community but rather the universe
• Taoism - rejects the hierarchy and strictness by Confucianism and would prefer simple life style and its teachings aim to describe how to attain that life
• Buddhism - the self is an illusion born out of ignorance, of trying to hold and control things, or human-centered needs.
• Self - source of all sufferings
• Buddhism - teaches us that it is our quest to forget about the self, forget the cravings of the self, break the attachments with the world and to renounce self which is the source of all suffering.
• Anatta - The belief that there is no self, no soul, no permanent self.
• Five Components of the Self

  • Senses or Sensations
  • Perception
  • Mental Construct
  • Consciousness
  • Matter or Form
• Atman - in Hinduism, this term means inner self or spiritual self
• Brahman - the ultimate being or God in Hinduism
• Samsara - cycle of rebirth; reincarnation
• Karma - result or consequence of our actions, good or bad, in this life and the next
• Moksha - liberation from samsara; ultimate happiness in Hinduism
• anicca - the belief that all things, including the self, are impermanent and constantly changing
• nirvana - In Buddhism, a place of perfect peace and happiness, like heaven
• awakening - in buddhism, it means to be aware or enlighten that there is no self; to attain nirvana
• To achieve a harmonious life, respect and acceptance are needed
• Social being - ability to interact or socialize with other people
• Relational being - the idea that we are related to others and the world around us