 1.

Examine the different influences, factors

and forces that shape the self.
 2. Compare and contrast how the self has
been represented across different disciplines
and perspective.
 3. Extrapolate varying notions and ideas
about the self and its many applications.
 Confucius was a Chinese
philosopher who lived from
551-479 B.C. who wished to
be an advisor to a noble.
 Confucius taught and
emphasized the importance
of “correct behaviors”, an art
know as li.
 He traveled from region to
region with a small group of
students, his disciples.
 Confucianism is an ethnic religion because it
focuses primarily on works.
 Confucius believed that any perception about the
after life was beyond human comprehension.
 Confucius also rejected the idea of “sin” but
viewed mistakes as an opportunity to do better
the next time.
 Their ultimate goal is to be perfect and moral.
 Founder is believed to be Lao-Tse
who is rumored to have lived from
604-531 BCE.
 Many historians argue that he could
be mythical, or mixture of many
different political leaders.
 Searching for a way to avoid
constant warfare and feuding during
his lifetime.
 Started as a combination of
psychology and philosophy.
Be like water
 Flow smoothly around obstacles
rather than bumping up against
them.
 Adapt yourself to the shape of the
channel and you won’t get stuck.

The natural rather than the humanmade

world is offered as a model.
Mohism was an influential
philosophical, social, and religious
movement that flourished during the
Warring States era (479–221 BCE) in
ancient China. Mohism originates in
the teachings of Mo Di, or “Mozi”
(“Master Mo,” fl. ca. 430 BCE), from
whom it takes its name.
 Fǎ-Jiā (法家) or Legalism is
one of the six classical
schools of thought in
Chinese philosophy that
developed during the
Warring States period.
 Largely ignoring morality or questions on how a
society ideally should function, they examined
contemporary government, emphasizing a
realistic consolidation of the wealth and power of
autocrat and state, with the goal of achieving
increased order, security and stability
Buddhism is an Indian
religion and dharma that
encompasses a variety of
traditions,
beliefs and spiritual
practices largely based on
teachings attributed to the
Buddha.
Two major extant branches of
Buddhism are generally
recognized by scholars:
Theravada (Pali: "The School of
the Elders")
and Mahayana (Sanskrit: "The
Great Vehicle").
 1. The right view
2. The right intention
3. The right speech
4. The right action
5. The right livelihood
6. The right effort
7. The right mindfulness
8. The right concentration
Dharma Wheel
The individual identifies
primarily with self, with
the needs of the individual
being satisfied before those
of the group. Looking after
and taking care of oneself,
being self-sufficient,
guarantees the well-being
of the group.
 Individualism, states that
each individual is acting on
his or her own, making their
own choices, and to the
extent they interact with
the rest of the group.
Independence and self-reliance
are greatly stressed and valued. In
general, people tend to distance
themselves psychologically and
emotionally from each other. One
may choose to join groups, but
group membership is not essential
to one’s identity or success.
Individualistic doers are self-assured
and very independent people. They
are quiet and realistic, very rational,
extremely matter of fact people.
They strongly cultivate their
individualism and enjoy applying
their abilities to new tasks. But they
are also very spontaneous and
impulsive persons who like to follow
their sudden inspirations.
 Collectivism views
the group as the
primary entity, with
the individuals lost
along the way.
 The survival and success
of the group ensures the
well-being of the
individual, so that by
considering the needs and
feelings of others, one
protects oneself.
 Harmony and the
interdependence of
group members are
stressed and valued.
 It sees the group as the
important element, and
individuals are just
members of the group. The
group has its own values
somehow different from
those of the individual
members.
 Weaknesses

 Both collectivist and

individualistic cultures
have their failings. People
in individualist cultures are
susceptible to loneliness,
and people in collectivist
cultures can have a strong
fear of rejection.
 "I" identity.
 Promotes individual goals, initiative and achievement.
 Individual rights are seen as being the most important. Rules
attempt to ensure self-importance and individualism.
 Independence is valued; there is much less of a drive to help other
citizens or communities than in collectivism.
 Relying or being dependent on others is frequently seen as
shameful.
 People are encouraged to do things on their own; to rely on
themselves
 people strive for their own successes
 Each person is encouraged to be an active player in society, to do
what is best for society as a whole rather than themselves.
 The rights of families, communities, and the collective supersede
those of the individual.
 Rules promote unity, brotherhood, and selflessness.
 Working with others and cooperating is the norm; everyone
supports each other.
 as a community, family or nation more than as an individual
VS
United States Italy
Australia Belgium
United Kingdom Sweden
Canada Ireland
Netherlands Norway
Hungary (post-communist Switzerland
generation) Germany
New Zealand
China Malaysia
Taiwan Egypt
India Cyprus
Pakistan Ghana
Bangladesh Nepal
Indonesia Argentina
Afghanistan Armenia
Are you a collectivist or an individualist?

Give your answers in view of the following:

 Political ideals
 Spiritual views
 Your self perception