COLLEGE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
First Semester, A.Y. 2023 – 2024
MODULE 5: The Self in Western and Eastern Thoughts
Course Title: Understanding the Self
Course Code: GE 1
Name: __________________________________________________________
Course and Year: _________________________________________________
Contact Number/Email Address: _____________________________________
Date and Time Allotment: ___________________________________________
Introduction
This module entitled The Self in Western and Eastern thoughts discusses the differences of
Western and Eastern ideologies and perspectives regarding the development of the self.
I. Objectives
At the end of the end of this module, students should be able to:
1. Compare and contrast individualism and collectivism
2. Identify various manifestations of individualistic and collectivistic cultures among Filipinos
3. Evaluate the philosophies according to their relevance to yourself.
II. Lectures
Do we exist for ourselves or for others? Do we live for self-realization and self-actualization or
do we live for the common good? This is how the western and eastern perspectives about the self-
differ. The West is self-oriented while the East is others-oriented. The former values freedom and
choice and wants to free itself from the bondage of society. The latter relationships and social obligation
and look at the welfare of society. The former seeks to create its own identity but the latter identifies
within the group.
The attempt to determine the differences between the perspectives of the West and the East
toward the self was carried out by social psychologists. They found out that in modernized countries
people grow more analytical and individualistic, while in developing nations, people remain collectivistic.
Individualism vs Collectivism
Individualism is an orientation concerned with the independence and self-reliance of the
individual, whereas collectivism is an orientation characterized by belongingness to larger group or
collectives. Individualistic cultures put more emphasis on promoting the individual and the immediate
family’s welfare. Collectivistic cultures, on the other hand, give more importance to loyalty to the in-
group, which in turn takes care of the individual’s welfare (Hui & Triandis, 1986)
The western conception of the self is individualistic; it gives more emphasis on freedom and
choice, an independent self that is free from the influence of culture and environment and from the
expectations and welfare of society. It emphasizes the uniqueness of every individual and is predicated
on egoism or self-orientedness. It describes the self as existing and distinct from others individualism
foregrounds that a human being has a self, is an individual, and is a person. It gives more emphasis on
individual goals and his or her journey towards self-realization or self-actualization. The self is free to
express itself.
The eastern conception the self is collectivistic; it gives more importance on relationships,
roles, duties, obligations and the preservation of culture and tradition. It prioritizes the needs and goals
of society over the needs and desires of every individual. It is founded on the belief that people are so
socially connected. It puts more importance on belongingness to a larger group an emphasizes social
obligations. Individual behavior is guided by adjustments to social demands and situations. It is others-
oriented because it encourages people to be kind, benevolent, charitable, dependable and sensitive to
the needs of others. It promotes selflessness, sacrifice for the welfare of society, and the performance
of assigned roles. Collectivism stresses that individual has “many selves” instead of having a one
knowable self. Self is viewed as part of a “we” instead of only a “me”.
Individualism does not promote isolation. It is grounded on the idea that an individual makes
judgments, acts based on his or her own thoughts, and disagrees with others. An individual has the
capacity to consider his or her own best interest. Each can act based on his or her own volition and
norms, and can judge other people as good to form relationships or as bad to elude interaction.
Everyone is free to decide whether to take part or not in solving societal problems.
Collectivism is an idea that man should live, think, and act towards certain goals that benefit
the group. A group may be a family, clan, community, nation, or the entire human race. A group is
composed of individuals forming the so-called super Organism that is separated from other individuals
an individual decides according to the interest of the group.
Countries with generally individualistic cultures include New Zealand, Germany, Austria,
Greece, Poland, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, and Finland. On the other hand, countries with generally
collectivistic cultures include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Indonesia, Philippines, Argentina,
Brazil, Mexico, and Portugal.
REFERENCES:
Ariola, M. (2016). Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person. Unlimited Books
Library Services and Publishing Inc.
Ariola M. (2016). Sociology and Anthropology with Family Planning. Purely Books Trading
and Publishing Co.
Brawner & Arcega. (2018). Understanding the Self, C&E Publishing, Inc.
Corpuz, R., Estoque, R.S., & Tabotabo, C.V. (2019). Understanding The Self. C&E
Publishing, Inc.
Galotti, K. (2011). Cognitive Development Infancy through Adolescence. Library of
Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Peñaflor and Peñaflor. (2016). Values Education Legal and Ethical Perspective (1st edition).
Unlimited Books Library Services and Publishing Inc.