LOGIC

  Joshua Peliño BA-Philosophy 4 COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY   SELF: WESTERN THOUGHT VS. EASTERN THOUGH   In Western philosophy, the self as an individual self is conceived apart from others and the world. This is something that goes way back to notable philosophers such as René Descartes who stated, "I think, therefore I am." According to Descartes, if you can think and know that you exist, it is evidence enough that you are. In the West, freedom, individuality, and personal identity are strongly emphasized. Individuals are urged to discover "who they really are" via introspection, personal aspirations, and the development of a robust sense of identity. By contrast, Eastern philosophy would see the self not as a distinct entity, but as something very much linked to everything else. In Hinduism, the real self, referred to as Atman, is not merely your body or your mind it is your soul, which is one with the universal soul, Brahman. In Buddhism, the self is an...

  Joshua Peliño BA-Philosophy 4 COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY THE INCULTURATION OF WESTERN CATHOLIC WAYS AND PRACTICE IN THE PHILIPPINE TRADITIONAL WAYS When Catholicism arrived at the Philippines during Spanish colonization, it encountered a pre-existing culture already with spiritual notions and tradition of its own. The Filipinos believed in the existence of spirits, and also nature deities, with the practice of paying homage to ancestors. Far from erasing the existing traditions completely, Catholicism was slowly interwoven in them. This fusion is referred to as inculturation—it's when a new faith comes in, but it colors and seasons itself in the local culture. Thus, Filipino Catholicism evolved to something special, with prayers, symbols, and celebrations that blended both Spanish and indigenous practices. This fusion also influenced how Filipinos perceived themselves. Filipinos lived in close-knit societies where respect for family, elders, and nature were highly valued be...