The Self in Western and Oriental/Eastern Thought

Vocabulary flashcards covering the concepts, definitions, and key figures from Western and Eastern perspectives on the self.

Western Thought

A perspective that emphasizes the importance of scientific methods and is individualistic, rather than relational.

Thomas Aquinas

An ancient philosopher who believed that the body constitutes individuality.

René Descartes

A Renaissance thinker famous for the phrase "I think, Therefore I am", which serves as the epitome of the Western idea of the self.

Analytical Self

One of Frank Johnson's categories describing the tendency to see reality as an aggregate of parts, where the 'self' is an observer separate and distinct from external objects.

Monotheistic Self

One of Frank Johnson's categories describing the tendency toward a unitary explanation of phenomena and a closed-system view of 'self' modeled after a unitary, omnipotent power.

Individualistic Self (Frank Johnson Category)

A quality of Western thinking where self-expression and self-actualization are important ways of establishing who one is.

Deductive Reasoning

A logical approach where progress is made from general ideas to specific conclusions.

Vedas

The earliest religious writings in the East that formed Hindu philosophy and dharma, depicting a nondual universe that is completely unified with the creator.

Dharma

The principle of cosmic order in Eastern philosophy.

Karma

The universal causal law defined by Hindus by which good or bad actions determine the future mode of an individual's existence across incarnations.

Brahman

In sacred Hindu texts, the divine universal consciousness encompassing the universe, described as the true nature of humans and the Self within us.

Five Parts of the Individual

In Buddhism, the components composing the individual: Matter (body), Sensation (feelings), Perception (of sense objects), Mental constructs, and Consciousness (awareness).

Anatta

A Buddhist doctrine defined as "no-self or no-soul", which teaches that the sense of being a permanent, autonomous 'self' is an illusion.

Confucianism

A system of ethics and behavior devised by Chinese scholar K'ung Fu-tzu in the sixth century B.C. in China.

Four Beginnings

In Confucianism, the innate human qualities: Heart of compassion (leads to Jen), Heart of righteousness (leads to Yi), Heart of propriety (leads to Li), and Heart of wisdom (leads to Chih).

Jen

A Confucian virtue meaning goodwill, sympathy towards others, politeness, and generosity.

Yi

A Confucian virtue meaning rightness and the respect of duty.

Li

In Confucianism, the practice of propriety in all actions, encompassing correct behavior, worship, good manners, and politeness.

Chih

A Confucian virtue meaning wisdom, which is expressed by putting jen, yi, and li into practice.

Ru Character

The Chinese character for scholar that specifically refers to Confucius and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and knowledge.

Yin-Yang

A symbol used in Taoism and Confucianism where the whole circle represents unity, and the halves and dots depict opposites, interactions, or balance.

Chinese Character for Water

A symbol in Confucianism viewed as a life source and an absolute necessity that provides strength and rest.

Taoism

A philosophy founded by Lao Tzu that rejects a hierarchical view and regards the self as an extension of the cosmos and one of the limitless forms of the Tao.

Lao Tzu

The Chinese philosopher who founded Taoism.

Chuang-tzu

A Taoist thinker who stated, "The perfect man has no self; the spiritual man has no achievement; the true sage has no name."

Nafs

The Arabic word for 'self' in the Holy Qur'an, pertaining to the psyche or soul, which must be nurtured and self-regulated to progress into goodness.

Individualistic Self

A dominant self-concept in individualistic cultures that emphasizes the moral worth, independence, goals, and desires of the individual.

Collective Self

A dominant self-concept in collectivistic cultures that emphasizes interdependence, harmonious relatedness, and family as the source of personal identity.

Patricia Licuanan

A Filipino psychologist and educator who identified deep love and concern for the family as a key strength of the Filipino character.