Philosophies of Self: East-West Distinctions | Gish Jen | Big Think

Summary

The script contrasts Western and Eastern views of self-identity. In the West, the 'self' is seen as a unique core, like the pit of an avocado, and individuals feel compelled to express this uniqueness through constant choices, which can cause anxiety. In contrast, Eastern cultures emphasize a 'flexi-self,' where duty outweighs individualism, and choices are less burdened with self-expression. This leads to a sense of freedom, as actions, like caring for the elderly, are seen as obligations rather than personal expressions. The script highlights how Western culture’s emphasis on self-differentiation can be perceived as limiting.

Takeaways

• 🥑 In the United States, the concept of self is often compared to an avocado, where the 'pit' represents a person's core identity and essence.
• 🆔 This 'pit' or core self is considered unique and something to which one must remain true.
• 🇺🇸 Western cultures emphasize individualism and uniqueness, where people feel the need to express their identity in everything they do.
• 🤝 In contrast, many Asian cultures promote a 'flexi-self' where duty to others is prioritized over individual rights and uniqueness.
• 🔄 Eastern cultures do not see the need to differentiate themselves as significantly as Western cultures do, even though individuals in Asia are still different from each other.
• 🤷‍♂️ The importance of individuality is less emphasized in the East, and differences are not seen as something that requires constant validation.
• 😌 People from collectivist cultures often view Westerners' need for choice and self-definition as a source of anxiety and confinement.
• 🧠 Choices in Western cultures can carry emotional weight because they are seen as expressions of identity, leading to anxiety.
• 🆓 In contrast, people from interdependent cultures often view choices as simpler and less burdened by identity concerns, leading them to feel freer in some ways.
• 👵 Duties such as caring for the elderly are often seen as a simple, expected responsibility in interdependent cultures, rather than as a reflection of personal values or love, making such tasks less emotionally complicated.

Q & A

What metaphor is used in the transcript to describe the self in the United States?

The self in the United States is compared to an 'avocado,' with a 'pit' inside that represents one's essence, identity, and uniqueness.

How does the idea of the 'self' differ between Western and Eastern cultures according to the transcript?

In Western cultures, the self is seen as unique and essential, and people feel the need to express and differentiate it. In Eastern cultures, the 'self' is more flexible, oriented toward duty rather than individual expression, and there is less emphasis on differentiating oneself from others.

Why do people from Western cultures feel anxious about making choices, according to the transcript?

People from Western cultures feel anxious about making choices because each choice is seen as a reflection of their identity, and this pressure to define themselves through choices can be overwhelming.

What is meant by the term 'flexi-self' in the context of Asian cultures?

The 'flexi-self' refers to a concept of self that is adaptable and focused on fulfilling duties rather than expressing individuality. It doesn’t carry the same cultural mandate to be unique as in Western cultures.

How do individuals in Eastern cultures view differences between people?

In Eastern cultures, people recognize differences but don’t place as much importance on highlighting or emphasizing them. The significance attached to individuality is much lower than in Western cultures.

Why do people in Eastern cultures find the Western obsession with uniqueness peculiar?

People in Eastern cultures find it peculiar because they see individuality as natural but not something to make a big deal about. They view the Western emphasis on constantly differentiating oneself as unnecessary and even burdensome.

How is the concept of freedom viewed differently in Western and Eastern cultures according to the transcript?

In the West, freedom is tied to the ability to make choices that express individuality, which can cause anxiety. In Eastern cultures, freedom is seen as simply fulfilling duties without the burden of expressing one's identity through every action, which they view as more liberating.

How does the transcript explain the cultural approach to taking care of elderly parents in Eastern cultures?

In Eastern cultures, taking care of elderly parents is seen as a duty rather than an expression of personal feelings or inner nature. This duty-oriented approach is viewed as straightforward and liberating, without the emotional complexity that Westerners may feel.

Why does the transcript suggest that Westerners have made things harder for themselves in certain situations?

The transcript suggests that Westerners have made things harder by expecting every action, such as taking care of the elderly, to be an expression of their inner self or love. This creates additional emotional pressure, while in Eastern cultures, people see such actions as duties and thus simpler to fulfill.

What cultural difference regarding choice does the transcript highlight?

The transcript highlights that in the West, choices are deeply tied to one's identity and uniqueness, creating anxiety. In Eastern cultures, choices are seen as more practical and less burdened by the need for self-expression, leading to a feeling of greater freedom.

Outlines

00:00

🥑 The Western 'Avocado' Self

In Western cultures, particularly in the United States, the self is often viewed like an avocado, with a unique 'pit' representing a person's essence, identity, and individuality. This 'pit' must be honored and expressed, making it essential for people to differentiate themselves from others. Western society places great value on individual uniqueness, with choices reflecting this inner self. People in the West strive to express their uniqueness through their actions and decisions.

🌏 The Eastern 'Flexi-Self'

In contrast, Asian cultures often emphasize a 'flexi-self,' where duty is more important than individual rights, and uniqueness is not culturally mandated. While people in Asia are different from one another, the significance of those differences is not as emphasized as it is in the West. The focus is less on standing out and more on fulfilling social roles and responsibilities without feeling the need to constantly express individuality. Differences exist, but they are not highlighted or given much importance.

🔄 Individuality vs. Duty in the East and West

While individuals in both cultures have distinct personalities, Westerners often feel compelled to define themselves in relation to others, which leads to a strong emphasis on personal choices. In Eastern cultures, the idea of constantly differentiating oneself is seen as unnecessary. People naturally acknowledge their differences without feeling the need to make them significant. The Western tendency to obsess over defining oneself is perceived as strange from an Eastern perspective.

🗳️ The Anxiety of Choice in the West

In the West, choices are laden with personal meaning because they help define one’s identity. This can lead to anxiety, even in trivial decisions, as every choice feels like a reflection of the self. On the other hand, in more collectivist cultures, choices are made without this burden, and people feel freer as their decisions are not tied to self-expression. People from these cultures view Westerners as trapped in an endless cycle of self-definition through choice.

❤️ Duty vs. Choice in Caring for the Elderly

Westerners often approach caregiving, such as caring for the elderly, as something that must align with their personal feelings or sense of love. When this inner motivation is absent, it can create internal conflict. In contrast, in cultures with a 'flexi-self,' caregiving is simply seen as a duty, which they find liberating because it doesn’t need to be tied to personal expression. This cultural difference highlights how the West’s insistence on tying actions to inner nature can create unnecessary difficulties.

Keywords

💡Self

The concept of 'self' in the video refers to one's identity and essence. In the Western context, the self is likened to an 'avocado' with a unique 'pit' at the core, symbolizing individuality. In contrast, the Asian perspective embraces a more flexible 'self' that is duty-oriented rather than focused on individuality.

💡Avocado

The 'avocado' metaphor is used to describe the Western model of self, where the self is seen as having a core 'pit' representing one's unique essence or identity. This emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and expressing individuality.

💡Flexi-self

The 'flexi-self' refers to a more adaptable sense of self commonly found in Asian cultures. This type of self is more oriented toward fulfilling duties rather than focusing on rights or personal uniqueness. It contrasts with the Western emphasis on individuality, prioritizing harmony and responsibility over self-expression.

💡Duty

In the context of the video, 'duty' is a central concept in the Asian model of the self. People with a flexi-self prioritize responsibilities and social obligations, such as caring for elderly parents, as opposed to making personal choices based on self-expression. Duty liberates them from the burden of making choices that define their identity.

💡Individualism

Individualism, as discussed in the video, refers to the Western focus on personal uniqueness and the importance of differentiating oneself from others. Western individuals are often preoccupied with making choices that reflect their identity, whereas in Eastern cultures, individuality is acknowledged but not given the same significance.

💡Choice

In the video, 'choice' is a key theme in discussing Western individualism. Westerners often face anxiety over choices, as each decision is seen as a reflection of their identity. In contrast, people from more collectivist cultures make choices without the same psychological weight, as they do not see them as defining their self.

💡Anxiety

The video suggests that 'anxiety' arises in Western cultures due to the pressure of making choices that define one's identity. Even small, private decisions can create stress because they are tied to expressing one's unique self. This contrasts with the more relaxed approach to decision-making in Eastern cultures.

💡Freedom

'Freedom' in the context of the video refers to the differing perceptions of what it means to be free. Westerners may feel free because they make choices that reflect their individual identity. However, people from flexi-self cultures may view this as a kind of psychological prison, arguing that true freedom comes from fulfilling duties without needing to assert one’s uniqueness.

💡Rights

In Western cultures, 'rights' are a critical part of the self-concept, where individuals focus on their entitlements and personal freedoms. This contrasts with the Eastern focus on 'duty,' where the self is defined more by social responsibilities than by individual rights.

💡Interdependence

'Interdependence' in the video refers to the cultural norm in many Asian societies where individuals see themselves as part of a collective. Rather than emphasizing individual uniqueness, people in interdependent cultures prioritize relationships, duty, and social harmony over self-expression, which is a key contrast to Western individualism.

Highlights

In the United States, the concept of self is often compared to an avocado, with a 'pit' representing a core identity.

The 'pit' of self in Western culture is seen as unique, and everything we do is meant to reflect that uniqueness.

In contrast, in many Asian cultures, the self is more flexible, oriented towards duty rather than individual rights.

In Eastern cultures, there is no strong cultural mandate to be unique, though individuals are still different from each other.

The key difference between East and West lies in how much significance is placed on individual differences.

While Westerners emphasize differentiating themselves from others, people in the East find it peculiar and unnecessary.

In the West, choice is extremely important and often linked to personal identity, leading to anxiety around decision-making.

In more individualistic cultures, even private choices can create anxiety because they are seen as defining the self.

People from interdependent cultures see choices as less emotionally loaded, viewing them as just decisions to be made.

Eastern cultures sometimes view Westerners as less free because of their constant need to define themselves through choices.

Westerners often feel the need to frame duties, like taking care of the elderly, as expressions of their inner nature.

In interdependent cultures, taking care of the elderly is seen as a duty, which is viewed as liberating rather than burdensome.

People from duty-oriented cultures often don't expect caregiving to reflect their personal identity; it's just part of life.

From the perspective of interdependent cultures, the Western insistence on self-expression makes life unnecessarily difficult.

The cultural differences highlight how Western cultures emphasize individualism, while Eastern cultures focus more on duty and community.

Transcripts

In the United States generally we have a model of self where the self is kind of like an

avocado, right.

We have a "pit" inside of us.

The pit is ourself, our essence, our identity.

It is the thing to which we must above all be true.

And, of course, very importantly we see that pit as unique.

So that everything we do we want to show, to reflect that pit.

We like that self and we want it to be unique.

In Asia people frequently have a “flexi-self”.

So it’s a different kind of self.

It is a self that’s oriented more to duty than to rights for instance.

And very importantly, it does not have a cultural mandate to be different and to be unique.

People in the East are not all alike.

So if you looked at my family, believe me, every single person is very, very different.

That is true, of course, throughout Asia.

The difference is not, "How different are we from each other?"

The difference is, "How much significance do we attach to that difference?"

In other words, do we think it’s very important to differentiate ourselves from others?

So if you’re asking, "Are they individuals?"

Of course they’re individuals.

You know, are they different?

Of course they’re different.

But of course for them it’s like, "Well of course I’m different.

Why would I make a big deal about that?"

And they think it is very peculiar that in the West that we feel that we must differentiate

ourselves from others endlessly.

So one of the ways that we do that of course is through choice, you know.

Choice in the West is very, very important.

Everyone is always making choices.

And honestly a lot of those choices make us a little anxious.

If you do a study where you are just sitting in an empty room and you’re making a choice

and you come from a more individualistic culture, you actually show signs of a little anxiety,

you know.

Every little choice that you make – even in private, because it’s defining of who

you are – is a little loaded.

They feel like they just choose.

In other words, when they make those choices it doesn’t have this overlay.

And that’s one of the reasons they feel that actually we are less free than they are.

So they think that we are the ones who are kind of in this prison where, you know, like

I say every moment we must define ourselves.

Well isn’t that awful?

And of course the way that we live, we feel that we want to be freely electing to live

the way that we live, right?

And so, even when we’re doing things like taking care of the elderly, for example: We

want to feel that it’s an extension of our great love and the nature of our being to

be able to take care of the elderly.

The other day I was having dinner with somebody and they said, "You know, I just don’t feel

that, and it’s just very, very hard."

So somebody from a more flexi-self or interdependent culture would say, "It’s just your duty."

And so for them it’s like, you know, they help their elderly parent, they just go take

care of the elderly parent because that’s their duty.

For them this is really liberating.

You just go do it and you don’t expect there to be, you know, an expression of yourself.

It’s just what people do.

From their point of view we have made things very, very hard for ourselves to demand that

everything should be an expression of our inner nature.