EASTERN PERSPECTIVE

UNDERSTANDING THE SELF

WESTERN THOUGHT

Frame of Reference

There is a separation between philosophy and religion

EASTERN THOUGHT

Frame of Reference

Religion and philosophy are intertwined.

WESTERN THOUGHT

Examples of belief system

Rationalism, Empiricism

EASTERN THOUGHT

Examples of belief system

Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism

WESTERN THOUGHT

Notable philosophers

Socrates, Plato, Rene Descartes

EASTERN THOUGHT

Notable philosophers

Lao Tzu, Confucius, Siddharta Gautama (Buddha)

WESTERN THOUGHT

Source of knowledge

Reasoning to pursue wisdom

EASTERN THOUGHT

Source of knowledge

Often associated with religious beliefs

WESTERN THOUGHT

View of the universe, life, and self

Egocentric

EASTERN THOUGHT

View of the universe, life, and self

Sociocentric

HINDUISM

• Law of Karma

• Individual actions will lead to either good or bad outcomes in one’s life.

KARMA

It does not end with a body’s death, so its influence may extend through incarnation of the soul.

BUDDHISM

• There is no self

• There is only nothing and all else is an illusion

• Everything in life is changing, nothing lasts forever.

SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA

known as Buddha and is the founder of Buddhism

BUDH

The root word of Buddhism is ____ meaning awake

ANICCA

It means impermanence in Buddhism.

CONFUCIANISM

• The individual’s greatest mission of attaining self-realization wherein self-cultivation is instrumental.

• “Don’t do to others what you would not want others do to you.“

SELF-CULTIVATION

This could be accomplished by knowing one’s role in the society and act accordingly.

MORAL CHARACTER

It is perfected through continuously taking every opportunity to improve oneself in thought and action.

TAOISM

• Lao Tzu

• The self is an extension of the cosmos.

• Three great virtues: humility, frugality, and contentment.

• The perfect man has no self.

• There should be unity and harmony among opposite elements: Yin and Yang

LAO TZU

Who established Taoism?

HUMILITY, FRUGALITY, CONTENTMENT

THREE (3) GREAT VIRTUES OF TAOISM.

YIN AND YANG

Opposite elements where there should be unity and harmony.