The Self: A Nodal Issue in Culture and Psyche—An Eastern Perspective

Abstract

The self is central in life. It is a principle by which one, consciously or not, organizes one’s personality and relates to the world. The “Eastern” self is conducive to an interdependent-holistic-centripetal psychosocial orientation, the “Western” self to an independent-individualistic-centrifugal orientation. They represent a polarity of thoughts on the nature and place of man. Cultural correlates and psychological implications of the Eastern tradition are discussed.