Lesson 1.

4: WESTERN CONCEPT OF States took over the islands as a territory after the
Spanish-American War.
SELF
 Western thoughts conduct scientific
investigations to understand the self and
Lesson 1.5: THE SELF IN
develop theories that can be verified by ORIENTAL/EASTERN THOUGHT
evidence.
 The scientific method of investigation is THE EASTERN THOUGHT
emphasized in western thought to provide  the emphasis is relational rather than
satisfactory answers to understanding the individual
self.  They raise question about the ultimate
 Authentic evidences are presented to prove meaning of human life
something about the self.  Self is considered not isolation but in
relations to others, society and the universe
FRANK JOHNSON  Eastern society are highly practical (no
 Psychiatrist and Professor scientific method)
 outlined the 4 categories on how to term  In eastern thought their concept of
"self" understanding the self is usually related in
religion.
1. Analytical: the tendency to see reality as an
aggregate of parts. The “self” is an observer
separate and distinct from external objects.

2. Monotheistic: involved the tendency toward CONFUCIANISM

unitary explanations of phenomena and a closed-
Confucianism is a system of ethics devised by the
system view of “self ” as modeled after a unitary,
Chinese scholar K’ungFutzu (Latinised to Confucius)
omnipotent power (“Man was created by God, in
in sixth century BC China.
His image)
Confucianism, an ancient Chinese system of
3. Individualistic: self-expression and self- thought and behavior, views the self as closely tied
actualization are important ways of establishing to social existence.
who one is, as well as of finding satisfaction in the
The self is understood as a "relational self, "
world.
meaning that it is highly attuned to the presence of
other people in society.
4. Materialistic/rationalistic: tends to discredit
explanations that do not use analytic-deductive This type of self is characterized as obedient,
modes of thinking. prioritizing the demands of social norms over one's
own personal desires and needs.
WESTERN COLONIZATION IN THE
While sometimes considered a religion,
PHILIPPINES Confucianism is primarily regarded as a social and
In 1565, the Philippines saw the first permanent ethical philosophy.
settlement of Spain. The Spanish colonization of
the Philippines lasted until 1898, when the United
Self is characterized by relational identity which According to Confucianism, the self is a
means that a person is defined by his/her subdued/restrained self that is conditioned to react
significant relationships. to societal expectations and obligations, rather
than its own needs and desires. It is not focused on
its own aspirations, but rather on how it is
Self-cultivation/ self-realization is seen as the perceived by others in society.
ultimate purpose of life.

TAOISM
The chun-tzu (man of virtue or noble character;
commonly translated as “gentleman” or “superior A Chinese religious and philosophical tradition that
man”) is, above all, a man of self-cultivation places great importance on living in harmony with
the concept of Tao, or The Way. In this tradition,
TO BE A CHUN-TZU, MAN HAS TO the self is seen as an extension of the natural world
LIVE BY THESE PRINCIPLES: (nature), rather than being defined by social
relationships.
Li is the principle of self-restraint and sense of
Tao is viewed as the foundation of everything that
propriety. It includes following social etiquette and
exists, representing the principle from which all
mannerisms.
substance and patterns originate. Unlike other
Cheng means sincerity and unwavering devotion to belief systems, Taoism does not subscribe to a
the good. hierarchical view of the self, society, or the cosmos
(everything is equal).
Hsiao is love for the immediate family and then
society. The self is but one of the countless manifestations
of the Tao. It is an extension of the cosmos. The
Yi is the principle of righteousness.
perfect man has no self; the spiritual man has no
Xin is the principle of honesty in life. achievement; the true sage has no name. Sage is a
wise person, one of sound judgement. The ideal is
Jen is the most important of all principles. It means
thus selflessness.
being kind and humane to your fellow beings. It is
about helping out others. The concepts of Yin and Yang are also central to
Taoism, representing the dark and bright aspects
Chung is loyalty to one's family and to one's
of the universe. The goal is to achieve a perfect
country.
balance between these two opposing forces.
CONFUCIUS SPECIFIES THE FIVE
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS
1. King to subject
2. Father to son
3. Husband to wife
4. Older brother to younger brother
5. Friend to friend
 arises in dependence upon various causes and
conditions.

FIVE SKANDHAS
BUDDHISM The Buddha taught that an individual is a
Buddhism is a religion established over 2,500 years combination of five aggregates of existence, also
ago in India by Siddhartha Gautama, also known as called the Five Skandhas or the five heaps.
"the Buddha. 1. Form- our physical form
" According to Buddhist teachings, human life is 2. Sensation- made up of our feelings -- both
characterized by suffering and enlightenment or emotional and physical -- and our senses -- seeing,
nirvana can be attained through practices such as hearing, tasting, touching, smelling.
meditation, spiritual and physical discipline, and
virtuous conduct. 3. Perception- means thinking -- conceptualization,
cognition, reasoning.
3 MARKS OF EXISTENCE
4. Mental Formations- includes habits, prejudices,
1. Annica (Impermanence) and predispositions, and volition or willfulness
> We go through life attaching ourselves to things, 5. Consciousness- awareness of or sensitivity to an
ideas and emotional states. object, but without conceptualization.
> This means that nothing in the universe, including The ultimate goal is Nirvana (enlightenment). The
our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and physical English word enlightenment sometimes refers to
objects, exists permanently or remains fixed over heightened intellect and reason. The original
time. Buddhists used the word bodhi, which means
"awakened."
> It helps individuals to let go of attachment
The word Buddha is derived from bodhi and
> Lead to greater contentment.
means "the awakened one."
2. Dukkha (Dissatisfaction or suffering)
> Can manifest in a variety of forms, including
physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety,
dissatisfaction, and general unease.
> acknowledging and understanding the nature of
dukkha, one can begin to cultivate a greater sense
of awareness and compassion, and move towards a
state of equanimity and peace.

3. Anatta (No fixed self)

> Refers to the idea that there is no enduring,
permanent, or independent self or soul within an
individual existence.
> The self is not a fixed and integral part of our
being, but rather an ever-changing process that