III. Western and Eastern Perspective of Self

Question 1

• Have their own perceptions of the self
• Both constructs, describes, and investigates the self in the social context (always
relating to the society)
• The distinct contrast of the western and eastern thought lies on how the self is seen in
relation to others.

Answer 1

EAST AND WEST

Question 2

Awareness of unity and mutual interrelation of all things and events in life.
All things are seen as interdependent (e.g. karma, connection to nature)

Answer 2

Eastern

Question 3

Associated with science. Main values are individual’s success, achievements
and happiness. A person’s life is self-made.

Answer 3

Western

Question 4

• Technology gave confidence and
independence to man to perceive the self
• Do not have a holistic view of reality
• Emphasis on the importance of the parts
rather than the whole
• Has a dualistic and mechanistic
perception of the self (body-soul
component)
• Values independence and freedom. The
self is an independent entity
• The individual self is the master and the
architect of his own life.
• Individual Goals

Answer 4

The Western

Question 5

• Values unity and harmony and being
part of the greater whole
• Everything is connected and
interdependent
• Life is a translation or extension of the
self (what you do, or experience is only a
reflection of your self being part of the
greate whole)
• The self is a relational being. Existence
is defined by his relationships, other
selves, and all things and events.
• Harmony is the key for interdependence.
• Shared goals

Answer 5

The Oriental

Question 6

Separates religion and philosophy
Scientific
Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Renee
Descartes
Reason
Distinction
Ego-centric
Monotheistic
Self-actualization

Answer 6

WESTERN

Question 7

Religion and philosophy are
intertwined
Relates religion
Confucius, Lao Tzu, Siddharta
Gautama
Intuition, faith
Commonalities
Socio-centric
Polytheistic
Balanced life and a role in society

Answer 7

Eastern

Question 8

EASTERN MAJOR
PHILOSHOPIES

Answer 8

BUDDHISM
HINDUISM
CONFUCIANISM
TAOISM

Question 9

root word for wake

Answer 9

Budh

Question 10

known as Buddha

Answer 10

Siddharta Gautama

Question 11

The self is subject to the law of change. It born, grows and dies.

Answer 11

Buddhism

Question 12

The self is made of five aggregates;

Answer 12

Buddhism

-matter
-senstation
-perception
-mental construct
-and consciousness.

Question 13

The goal of the self is to achieve elightenment -

Answer 13

Nirvana, through meditation.

Question 14

means that everything in life is always
changing, that nothing lasts forever. Ignorance of this may lead
to an illusion of self.

Answer 14

Anicca (Impermanence)

Question 15

Eightfold Path

Answer 15

Right understanding (Samma ditthi)
Right thought (Samma sankappa)
Right speech (Samma vaca)
Right action (Samma kammanta)
Right livelihood (Samma ajiva)
Right effort (Samma vayama)
Right mindfulness (Samma sati)
Right concentration (Samma samadhi)

Question 16

Oldest religion in the world
from India.

Answer 16

HINDUISM

Question 17

Hindus believe that an
individual’s action _____

Answer 17

karma

Question 18

person’s mental and
physical actions are binding. The law of
karma is very much verifiable in real life.

Answer 18

Law Of Karma

Question 19

4 levels of the pyramid (hinduism)
+1

Answer 19

Bhramin
Kshatryia
Vaishya
Sudra

Untouchables

Question 20

cleansed from illusions and filled with sense of well-
being

Answer 20

self realization

Question 21

The self must detach itself to the Maya or illusion. This illusion is the
material world.
Being attached to the material world leads to suffering or samsara.
Reincarnation to the material world is a form of suffering because of the
cycle of death and rebirth.

Answer 21

Hinduism

Question 22

the innermost essence of the self whose destiny is
to be with _____ (the creator, the universal spirit), in _____ (non-birth)

Answer 22

The self is the Atman

Brahma
Nirvana

Question 23

the starting point of a
constructive process

Answer 23

CONFUCIANISM

Question 24

For western philosophers,
the concept of the self is
the end of their searches.
Focuses on morality and
ethics.

Answer 24

CONFUCIANISM

Question 25

_____ consideration of one ’s identity is extended from the present to the past and to the future.

The question Who am I? is essentially related to Where am I from and Who will I be?

The self is a moral and social being. Good life depends on order, and order depends on good and just government.

Answer 25

CONFUCIANISM / confucian

Question 26

The goal of self is to be
one with nature (or
cosmos).

Relativity of opposites
i.e. yin and yang.

Self does not exist
without the existence of
the other

Answer 26

TAOISM

Question 27

The self must bring himself
in harmony with Tao by
practicing the three great
virtues: ________

Answer 27

Taoism

humility, frugality, and
contentment.

Question 28

Most of the problems
in the world is caused
by the active
participation of the
self. Too
much involvement will
lead to destuction.

Answer 28

Taosim

Question 29

The self should not strive
for learning, riches and
power; the self should
find happines
by being quiet,
thoughtful and humble.

Answer 29

taoism

Question 30

This is called the
practice of ____ or
the non
interference with the
natural course of
events.

Answer 30

WU WIE

Question 31

shadow or darkness, things that are
quieter, aloof, the moon, and all
things with dark energy

Answer 31

YIN

Question 32

warmth, positive energy, active
motion, and the sun

Answer 32

YANG