DICHOTOMY OF WESTERN

AND EASTERN CONCEPTIONS

OF SELF
BAUTISTA
CARABBACAN
LOPEZ
ONG
SANTOS
UY
VICERRA
EASTERN THOUGHT,
- Emphasis is relational rather than individualistic
- The self is considered not in isolation but in relation to
others, society, and the universe.
- Aim at transformations in consciousness, feelings,
emotions, and one’s relation to other people and the world.
- The theories of Eastern philosophers demonstrate a
sociocentric view presupposing that the self exists as an
entity within the concrete situation or role occupied by
person (Robbins, 2012).

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WESTERN THOUGHT,
- Self as autonomous, unitary, and stable (Van Meijl,
2008).
- Self have been examined by renowned theorists like
Freud, Erikson, Bandura, Rogers, Jung, James, Mead,
Cooley and others.
- They emphasized the importance of scientific methods
to provide satisfactory answers to understanding the
self.

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✘ WESTERN PHILISOPHY is referred to as the school of
thought from Greek philosophy that influenced the
greater part of Western civilization. The Western
civilization is more individualistic, trying to find the
meaning of life here and now with self at the center as it
is already given and part of the divine.

✘ EASTERN PHILOSOPHY is based mainly in Asia, more

specifically the Chinese philosophy. It is mostly drawn
much more into groups or society or people’s actions
and thoughts as one in order to find meaning in life as
they try to get rid of the false “me” concept and find
meaning in discovering the true “me” in relation to
everything around them, or as part of a bigger scheme.
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✘ - The Western and Eastern perspectives of the
self grew from a combination of sociology,
anthropology, psychology, theology, and religion.

✘ The Western and Eastern thoughts attempt to

combine the good elements of the different
disciplines to totally understand the self.

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Asian thought looks at life in the three-
mode:
1. Cycle of birth
2. Cycle of death
3. Cycle of rebirth
-
“
On the other hand,
The Western concept of life is linear as it is concerned
with absolute beginnings or endings in time and space.
- Asian thought does not dichotomize between one’s way
of thinking and one’s way of living.
- One’s thought, action, and speech should be in
harmony.

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- Another distinction between Eastern and Western
thoughts is about nature and self.
- One unique feature of Eastern philosophy is its great
reverence for nature. They believed that nature
promotes introspection into one’s inner life and that
wisdom and enlightenment can be attained by
observing nature.
- Peacock (1986) mentions that modern Western culture
tends to set the individual against nature, that is, to
struggle against nature which is a dangerous enemy.

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WESTERN AND EASTERN CONCEPTUALIZATIONS
OF SELF, PERSPECTIVES, AND APPROACHES:

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 DIMENSION WESTERN THOUGHT EASTERN THOUGHT

Frame of Reference There is a separation Religion and philosophy

between philosophy and are intertwined.
religion/ spirituality.
Examples of schools of Scholasticism Hinduism
thought/ belief systems Rationalism Buddhism
Empiricism Confucianism
Phenomenology Taoism
Notable Philosophers Greek Triumvirate: Confucius
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle Lao Tzu
Rene Descartes Siddharta Gautma
John Locke (Buddha)
Source of knowledge Has made use of reason Has trusted intuition and
rather than faith to pursue is often associated with
wisdom. religious beliefs.
Modes of Cognition Analytic and deductive Synthetic and inductive

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 WESTERN EASTERN

Emphasis Distinctions and Commonalities and

oppositions harmonies

View of the universe and Linear Circular

life
View of self Egocentric Sociocentric
Subject- Object Distinction Qualities of self-as-subject Simultaneously subject
(Bipolar qualities of self) (knower) and self-as- and object (The
object (known) experience of self as both
the knower and known)
Theological view Monotheistic Polytheistic (Pluralistic)
Ideal Self-actualization through To achieve a balanced life
personal growth and find one’s role in
society

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 WESTERN EASTERN
Cultural Framework Individualism Collectivism
a. The self is a distinct a. The self is an
and autonomous integrated part of the
entity; independent universe and society.
b. Independence and b. Interdependence and
self-reliance are core connectedness are
values. core values.
c. Prioritize personal c. No distinctions bet
goals over group personal and group
goals goals
d. Characterized by d. Characterize by
exchange communal
relationship relationship
e. Uniqueness, sense of e. Conformity and
direction, purpose obedience are
and volition are the essential social
acknowledged behaviors.
features of self. f. Duty towards all
f. Personal success is other is important.
important
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Thanks!

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