Journal of Research: THE BEDE ATHENÆUM
Year : 2010, Volume : 1, Issue : 1
First page : ( 67) Last page : ( 72)
Print ISSN : 0976-0598.

Self: A Psychological and Eastern Perspective

Koikara Shalu

Holy Family Hospital and College of Nursing, Muthalakodam, P.O. Thodupuzha, 685605, KERALA.

Received:  20  March,  2009; Accepted:  25  November,  2009.

Abstract

The present paper is focused on the concept of self from different perspectives. The specific views and thinking styles of various historical periods had their own influence on the definition and understanding of the self. Till the nineteenth century self was considered as an active, competent subject who shaped the society rather than being affected by the same. Western psychology stressed the experiential aspect of self and did not consider it as a structure. Self includes both the conscious and the unconscious mind. For the philosophers it was not an essence but mainly an experience. Based on clinical experiences Kohut in 1977 introduced the term Self object which means the function performed by an object that generates the feeling and experience of selfhood in the individual.

A healthy self can uplift self esteem and soothe the person while the unhealthy self has to depend on the self object for its internal serenity and equilibrium. The nineteenth century started seeing self as an object. The idea of living one's own life prevailed. In the eastern thought self is the knower, master of action and the enjoyer/sufferer. According to the Upanishad the organism is the chariot where the self’ is seated as its Lord and Master.

The idea of self is fascinating, but at the same time confusing. So many questions could be aroused in the mind of the reader. Is self a theoretical Construct only? Is it an internal structure? Does it have its own entity? Are the self, ego, and person all the same? This paper will attempt to answer some of these questions.

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