PHIL4200 Indian Philosophy - Lecture Notes - Indian Philosophy, Study notes of Indian Philosophy

Download PHIL4200 Indian Philosophy - Lecture Notes - Indian Philosophy and more Study notes Indian Philosophy in PDF only on Docsity! Sample Syllabus PHIL4200: Indian Philosophy Course Description Professor: Dr. Joe Johnson Office: History and Philosophy Department Consultation Times: TBA Phone: (770) 423-6294 (department) E-Mail: TBA Facsimile: (770) 423-6432 Web Site: http://www.kennesaw.edu/globalinstitute/cdas/ (Click on Staff) Philosophy Student Association Web site: http://www.kennesaw.edu/clubs/psa/ Prerequisite: ENGL 1102 "Understanding is a very complicated matter. Genuine understanding must be comprehensive, and comprehensive understanding must include a knowledge of all the fundamental aspects of the mind of the people in question. Philosophy is the major medium of understanding, both because it is concerned deliberately and perhaps uniquely with the fundamental ideas, ideals, and attitudes of a people, and also because philosophy alone attempts to see the total picture and thus includes in its purview all the major aspects of the life of a people." (Charles Moore, founder, Univ. of Hawai‘i Philosophy Department) Philosophy 4200 is an upper division survey course of the Indian philosophical traditions. The course begins with a historical overview of Indian and then focuses on several problems found in: the Vedas, Upanishads, Bhagavad Gita, Theravada Buddhism, the Samkhya & Yoga system, Vedanta. The selected philosophical problems to be explored in the traditions may include: the nature of the self and its relation to the world, the nature of reality, the one and the many, change and reality, causality, appearance and reality, and the meaning of existence. Some of these problems such as the nature of the self and its relation to the world will be explored more directly (and obviously) than others. Throughout the course, comparison between Western and other Indian ways of thinking will be made. Students are expected to read this relevant material on their own. Contemporary social issues and problems do not exist in a vacuum; they are rooted in culture. The religious and philosophical traditions of a region provide a unique access to its fundamental values, the values that formulate the underlying narrative patterns that ultimately inform the development and evolution of culture, and its social organization. This course will be sensitive to the development of values from the worldview of India and how they compare with western values. Grading, Participation, and Attendance: 0 0 1 EThere will be one take home exam that must be word-processed (25 points), one book review that is a critical analysis on Intimacy or Integrity: Philosophy and Cultural Difference (20 points), and 5 shorter critical analyses on Asia related lectures in the Mike Ryan Lecture Series of the Philosophy Student Association (25 points). There will be a comprehensive in-class final exam worth 25 points. An additional 5 points can be earned for attendance and quality participation. This policy extends to attendance at pertinent Asia related exhibitions and lectures to be held at the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, which is located in Brookhaven. These events will be announced in class and schedules distributed. OUMA’s web site is: <http// museum.oglethorpe.edu>. Participation and attendance are required. One point for the first three absences and one point for each subsequent absence will be deducted from the student’s final point score. On the 6th absence, students’ course grades will be automatically lowered by one letter grade. 10 absences will result in a final grade of “F” for the course. If students cannot commit to regular class attendance, they should immediately drop this class and enroll in another. If students are having difficulty understanding course material and/or completing assignments, it is crucial for them to either seek a consultation during office hours or request an appointment. Consultation hours are listed at the beginning of this Course Description and are available from the departmental secretary. Grading will be based on the following scale: 90+=A, 80-89=B, 70-79=C, 60-69=D, -59=F BOOKS: Intimacy or Integrity: Philosophy and Cultural Difference, Thomas P. Kasulis University of Hawaii Press (ISBN: 0824825594) A Source Book in Indian Philosophy, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Charles A. Moore Princeton University Press (ISBN: 0691019584) Classical Indian Philosophy, J.N. Mohanty Rowan and Littlefield (ISBN 0847689336) The Bhagavad Gita, Eknath Easwaran (Vintage Books ISBN: 0375705554) Buddhism: A Short History, Edward Conze; Oneworld (Oxford) (ISBN: 185168221X) * There will also be handouts. Course Format: Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion with emphasis on lecture. Students are expected to discuss in depth the material being covered and are encouraged and expected to ask questions, be prepared for each class, and discuss the problems and issues of the class, however. Each class will begin with the calling of roll. A student will randomly be selected to give the class a précis of the last class (5 – 10 minute summary of the prior class material as well as the student’s reflection upon it. Absence to the prior class does not warrant exemption from this assignment.) The goal of the précis is both to review for the class and formulate a question with which to begin class discussion and the introduction of new material. After the précis, the floor is open for questions on the previous class material. Course and Classroom Policies: All work completed outside of class must be word-processed. There are no provisions for extra-credit in Philosophy 3324 and late work will not be accepted unless there are very serious circumstances. Consider the statement on academic honesty in the Kennesaw State University Undergraduate Catalogue to be a part of this Course Description and Syllabus. If you are unfamiliar with the academic definition of plagiarism, it is your responsibility to become absolutely certain what constitutes plagiarism. Submitting plagiarized work will result in automatic failure of the course. Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class. Also, in order to enhance critical listening skills, no audio or visual taping of lectures is permitted without the instructor’s approval. To protect privacy, final grades will not be posted. Upon request and submission of a stamped self-addressed envelope, final grades will be mailed to students. Final grades will not be transmitted electronically. Attendance in class and all scheduled events is crucial and mandatory. If you expect to be chronically absent, you must drop the class. Academic Integrity Statement: Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate Catalogs. Section II of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University's policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating, unauthorized access to University materials, misrepresentation/falsification of University records or academic work, malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials, malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services, and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the University Judiciary Program, which includes either an informal resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct's minimum one semester suspension requirement. Expectations: Students are expected to take the initiative and read secondary sources on all of the traditions covered in The Indian Philosophical Tradition. Students should realize that this expectation is an ongoing one from the beginning of the course until its completion. Our focus in class will be on the original texts in translation, but it is a requirement of the course that students initiate the critical study of secondary sources. Students unwilling or unable to make this commitment should drop the class. Philosophy 4200: Indian Philosophy Syllabus Jan. 8 General comments about philosophy & religion in the Asian context Historical overview of Indian philosophy The basic features of Indian Philosophy: nature, meaning and scope, and Schools of Indian Philosophy Begin reading Intimacy or Integrity: Philosophy and Cultural Difference and Vedas Jan. 13 The Vedas Theism in the Vedas Read: Upanisadas Jan. 15 Upanishadas Upanisads and the central teachings of: Brahman, Atman, and world Jan. 20-29 0 0 1 EBhagavad gita Feb. 3-12 Charvaka - Materialism Carvaka Philosophy: Theory of Knowledge, materialism, hedonism and attitude to life Feb. 17 – 26 Charvaka - Materialism continued Jainism - Jainism: jiva and ajiva, syadvada, liberation