The concept of “self” and “society” has played an integral role in the shaping of history. Among various world traditions, the ways in which the concepts of “self” and “society” vary from culture to culture in how they are defined and interrelated. Each society places varying levels of emphasis on the ideals of individual achievement and societal good. These traditions promote specific values and “behaviors” to attain such. Three world traditions which have conceptualized the defining features of what is considered to be the “self” and “society” are inclusive of Hinduism, Confucianism, and Islam. While these three cultures differ greatly on a cultural standpoint, they do have some values that overlap one another. These overlapping features
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One of the central aspects of the religion is that each person is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, known as “samsara”. The goal for a person who is Hindu is to break away from samsara. This is accomplished by the individual following the law that regulation human behavior, known as “dharma”. The actions of following “dharma”, is referred to as “karma”. If a follower follows the law of dharma, then they will have what is considered to be good karma. Those who are considered to have “good” karma are believed to have obtained individual achievement¹. However, the belief of reincarnation, karma, and dharma is not limited to the “self” and individual achievement as the law of dharma plays an essential role in what is considered to be for the good of society in Hindu tradition. This pertains to the socioeconomic structure of Hindu society in regards to the Hindu caste system. Dharma does not only regulate human behavior so that an individual could achieve “moksha”, or escape the cycle of samsara, but regulates human behavior to what is appropriate for their “caste” in society. Within the Hindu Caste system society is organized into distinct groups that were historically required to obtain jobs appropriate for their caste in order to maintain order and harmony. Within the Upanishads, it states the self is one with all and that there is no separation between the self and the …show more content…
But when the Self is realized as the indivisible unity of life, who can be seen by whom, who can be heard by whom, who can be smelled by whom, who can be spoken by whom, who can be thought of by whom, who can be known by whom?” ²
Within this text, there is an importance placed on understanding that there is a connection between one’s self and with society. Those who separate themselves from others cannot have a sense of individual achievement in regards with how they are connected within their community or society and that it is for the better good in society in which people are inclusive of one
One of the central aspects of the religion is that each person is trapped in the cycle of reincarnation, known as “samsara”. The goal for a person who is Hindu is to break away from samsara. This is accomplished by the individual following the law that regulation human behavior, known as “dharma”. The actions of following “dharma”, is referred to as “karma”. If a follower follows the law of dharma, then they will have what is considered to be good karma. Those who are considered to have “good” karma are believed to have obtained individual achievement¹. However, the belief of reincarnation, karma, and dharma is not limited to the “self” and individual achievement as the law of dharma plays an essential role in what is considered to be for the good of society in Hindu tradition. This pertains to the socioeconomic structure of Hindu society in regards to the Hindu caste system. Dharma does not only regulate human behavior so that an individual could achieve “moksha”, or escape the cycle of samsara, but regulates human behavior to what is appropriate for their “caste” in society. Within the Hindu Caste system society is organized into distinct groups that were historically required to obtain jobs appropriate for their caste in order to maintain order and harmony. Within the Upanishads, it states the self is one with all and that there is no separation between the self and the …show more content…
But when the Self is realized as the indivisible unity of life, who can be seen by whom, who can be heard by whom, who can be smelled by whom, who can be spoken by whom, who can be thought of by whom, who can be known by whom?” ²
Within this text, there is an importance placed on understanding that there is a connection between one’s self and with society. Those who separate themselves from others cannot have a sense of individual achievement in regards with how they are connected within their community or society and that it is for the better good in society in which people are inclusive of one