Philosophy 160: Philosophy East and West
Autumn, 2016
Instructor
Dr. Ryan Jordan
[email protected]
Catalog Description
Comparative introductory study of major philosophical traditions of east and
west: ethics, metaphysics, epistemology, philosophy of religion. 4 credits (UQ or GP)
Pre-Requisites
None.
Course Objectives
There are two main goals for Philosophy East and West. First, this course is
designed to be a detailed introduction to some of the major philosophical traditions of
Asia: Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism (with discussions of Legalism, Mohism, and
Indian Orthodox Philosophy thrown in as well). We will study the major concepts of
these traditions both historically (i.e., looking at the social concerns that surrounded the
development of these traditions) and contemporarily (i.e., determining whether these
philosophies could solve the problems they purport to solve). Second, we will compare
these Asian traditions with those in Western philosophy in an attempt to gain a better
understanding of themes and concerns common to the human experience.
Ultimate Questions (UQ) Mode of Inquiry
Courses with this designation are designed to encourage students to articulate and
evaluate unexamined assumptions and paradigmatic ways of acquiring knowledge
through a critical analysis of fundamental beliefs, cultural practices, and competing truth
claims with the aim to develop greater self-knowledge and wisdom, the ability for
meaningful dialogue, social responsibility and understanding, and an appreciation for
questions that lead to deeper insights into our actions and the reasons for them. While
this mode of inquiry strongly emphasizes an assessment of cognitive systems and
symbols, such courses also explore metaphors and language that penetrate to precognitive or post-cognitive levels of people’s action (ethics) and ways of belonging
(sociology) often associated with the sacred. Ultimate Questions courses are designated
UQ in this catalog and each semester’s registration materials.
Learning Outcomes
In courses with UQ designation, students will learn and demonstrate growth from
among the following:
1. Articulating and evaluating unexamined assumptions and paradigmatic ways of
acquiring knowledge.
2. Analyzing critically fundamental beliefs, cultural practices, and competing truth
claims.
3. Developing greater self-knowledge and wisdom, the ability for meaningful
dialogue, social responsibility and understanding.
4. Appreciating questions that lead to deeper insights into our actions and the
reasons for them.
5. Exploring pre-cognitive and post-cognitive levels of people’s action (ethics)
and ways of belonging (sociology) often associated with the sacred.
Recognizing that other modes of inquiry engage many of these issues, in an
Ultimate Questions course, these topics and method lie at the center of the inquiry rather
than arising as implications drawn from work in other modes of inquiry.
This course on Philosophy East and West will address all of these learning
outcomes. We will focus primarily on the philosophies of pre-Qin China and India as
well as corresponding theories in Western philosophy. We will study how these
philosophies were fundamentally concerned with how to construct a peaceful,
harmonious and long-lasting society, and how they all had radically different approaches
on achieving this end (Learning Outcomes #1 and #5). Furthermore, we will examine
these philosophies not only historically, but also contemporarily. Each philosophy has an
answer on how we should best behave both for our own sake and for that of society. We
will address the question of whether these philosophies are anachronistic and best suited
only to the Asia of twenty-five hundred years ago, or if they have more universal insights
that should reflect and influence how we should live our lives today (Learning Outcomes
#2, #3, and #4).
Texts
Required:
A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, Fung Yu-Lan (Free Press: 1976)
The Analects of Confucius, Roger Ames and Henry Rosemont, trans. (Ballantine:
1999)
Dao De Jing: A Philosophical Translation, Roger Ames and David Hall, trans.
(Ballantine: 2003)
Early Buddhist Discourses, John Holder, trans. (Hackett: 2006)
Recommended:
Mengzi, Bryan W. Van Norden, trans. (Hackett: 2008)
Xunzi, Burton Watson, trans. (Columbia University Press: 2003)
Han Fei Tzu, Burton Watson, trans. (Columbia University Press, 1964)
Mozi, Burton Watson, trans. (Columbia University Press, 2003)
Zhuangzi, Hyun Hochsmann and Yang Guorong, trans. (Longman: 2006)
Requirements
There will be two exams (one midterm, one final), one set of textual analysis
discussion posts, one set of general discussion posts, and two term projects. The two
term projects are each worth twenty percent of your final grade. The other four items
each count for fifteen percent. There are two different term projects. You may do them
in whichever order you wish.
Textual Analysis Discussion Posts
Each week, we will be reading some primary philosophical texts. For these
textual analysis posts, you should pick some passage from the text that you find
particularly illuminating, puzzling, or noteworthy in some other way. You should quote
the passage and then spend a paragraph explaining what is so intriguing about it. You
must make one textual analysis post per week beginning in the second week (by
midnight of Sept. 18th). These posts can be made anytime during the week before Sunday
at midnight. If a passage has already been written on by a classmate, do not choose that
one if at all possible (and then, write on it only if you have a significantly different take
on the passage).
General Discussion Posts
These posts are meant to simulate what would be taking place during good, robust
in-class discussions, and thus they are comments, criticisms, or questions about the issues
we will be studying. You may begin a new discussion, respond to an ongoing discussion,
or respond to someone else’s textual analysis post. Additionally, I will post discussion
questions at the end of my lectures. You may—but are not required to—write your
general discussion post as a response to these questions. In general, a satisfactory
discussion post will be at least one healthy paragraph. You must make one general
discussion post per week beginning in the second week (by midnight of Sept. 18th).
These posts can be made anytime during the week before Sunday at midnight.
A General Note about the Grading of the Posts
A satisfactory textual analysis post will genuinely try to engage with the material.
It will begin or substantively add to a discussion, not merely affirm what has already been
said.
Here is a bad post:
“Chapter two of the Dao De Jing says, ‘As soon as the world regards something
as beautiful, ugliness simultaneously becomes apparent.’ I guess this means something
like you can’t have one without the other.”
Here is a good post:
“Chapter two of the Dao De Jing says, ‘As soon as the world regards something
as beautiful, ugliness simultaneously becomes apparent.’ I think what Laozi is trying to
say here is that you can’t have a concept without also having its opposite because blah
blah blah.”
The blah blah blahs are important. They are the meat of your posts, and as such,
the quality of your explanations will depend on them.
You must make one textual analysis post and one general post per week.
Late posts will not count, nor will early ones. (This would defeat the purpose of
having an ongoing class engagement with the material.)
Term Project Option #1
Journal Project: In the journal project, you should “try on” one of the
philosophical systems for three days. (You are not allowed to choose Legalism, for
reasons that will be obvious after the first class.) You should keep a detailed journal of
thoughts, observations, and reflections during the three days and, at the end, condense
your journal into a three to five page paper discussing the experience, what the
experience taught you about the system, misconceptions you had about the system going
in, difficulties you encountered, etc.
Term Project Option #2
Universality Project: One of the main themes in class is that, far from being
strange, alien ways of thinking, the systems and values proposed by the various Asian
philosophies are strikingly similar to our own values and beliefs. In three to five pages,
you should do a detailed analysis of the commonalities between one of the Asian
philosophies and some aspect of Western culture (e.g., “Simple Gifts,” Shakers, and
Daoism; Star Trek’s episode “Justice” and Legalism; Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest
Love of All” and Confucianism). Good, deep analyses will focus on not only the surface
similarities, but also on the background motivations and, if there are significant
dissimilarities, why those dissimilarities exist.
Late term papers or essay questions will not be accepted without a legitimate
written excuse (medical or otherwise). If you foresee any problems with the timeliness
of your projects/exams, you should contact me before the due date.
Final Grade Calculations
A = 94-100; A- = 90-93; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ = 77-79; C = 73-76;
C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 60-66; F = 0-59
Actual performance in the course is the only relevant consideration for final
grades. Scholarship requirements, forgetfulness that posts must be made throughout
the semester, being a few points away from a higher grade, etc., cannot be used in
raising a final grade.
Pedagogical Expectations
Quite a bit of this material can be, at first glance, quite difficult. Do not get
discouraged! My lectures are written in order to give background and explanations of
what's going on in the philosophy in general and the readings in particular. Though,
before the lecture, I would recommend reading some of the material first so that your
initial impression isn't colored by what I have to say.
Be as engaged as possible. Ask any questions you might have, and try to answer
other people's questions when you can. One notable benefit online classes have over
face-to-face is that the discussion boards are fantastic for collaborative learning. I will
certainly be active on the boards, but the best scenario is when we are all engaged with,
responding to, and questioning each other's comments on the boards. (This, obviously,
should always happen with a friendly tone.)
Although the due dates for the posts are always Sunday at midnight, you are
encouraged to post earlier than that. Posts made close to the deadline are rarely engaged
with as much as earlier-made posts. It would be unfortunate if otherwise compelling
posts aren't given their full due merely because we've moved on to other material.
Lastly, I will occasionally use the chat function so that we can have real-time
chats. I'll vary the times of the chats throughout the week in order, hopefully, to reduce
the amount of school/work conflicts. Given that conflicts do happen, participation in the
chats is encouraged, but optional.
Etiquette Expectations
Many of the issues we will be discussing are very controversial and some people
believe very strongly in their views. While I will always encourage open and frank
discussions, we must do so in a civilized fashion. Attacking an idea is perfectly fine;
attacking a person is not. Likewise, one needs to have somewhat thick skin in a
philosophy class. Just because someone questions the plausibility of your views does not
mean they also question the state of your mental faculties.
Policy on Academic Integrity
I adhere to the college policy on academic honesty, as published in the Linfield
College Course Catalog.
Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act
and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you are a student with a disability and feel
you may require academic accommodations contact Cheri White, Program Director of
Learning Support Services (LSS), as early as possible to request accommodation for your
disability. The timeliness of your request will allow LSS to promptly arrange the details
of your support. LSS is located in Loveridge Hall, Room 24, (503-413-8219). We also
encourage students to communicate with faculty about their accommodations.
Identity verification
Students enrolled in Online and Continuing Education courses and programs at
Linfield College are required to periodically verify their identity through Ucard. This
ensures that students taking classes through Online and Continuing Education are the
people doing the work. The authentication process will be required at the start of each term
and then at random times during the term. Instructions will be provided. For identity
verification, students will need a webcam enabled computer and a legal form of picture ID
(such as a drivers license or a passport). If you have questions about or problems with the
authentication process contact the OCE office at (503) 883-2447
Help with Technical Difficulties
If you have technical problems related to Blackboard contact
[email protected]. For other technical problems (browser, email …), contact
[email protected].
Schedule of Events
In addition to these readings listed below, there will frequently be additional
readings, videos, and other materials posted online, as well as lectures that I will post at
the beginning of each week. Furthermore, students are expected to read each other’s
discussion posts.
Week #1
Sept. 5
Introduction to Philosophy and to Chinese Philosophy
Readings: Short History 16-37
Week #2
Sept. 12
Confucianism
Readings: Short History 38-48; Analects 71-141
Week #3
Sept. 19
Confucianism Continued
Readings: 142-229
Week #4
Sept. 26
Confucianism—Mengzi and Xunzi
Readings: Short History 68-79, 143-154
Week #5
Oct. 3
Legalism
Readings: Short History 155-165
Week #6
Oct. 10
Mohism
Readings: Short History 49-59
Week #7
Oct. 17
Midterm—Essays questions will be given and you will have the week
to answer them.
Week #8
Oct. 24
Daoism
Readings: Short History 93-103, Dao De Jing 77-114
Week #9
Oct. 31
Daoist Ethics
Readings: Short History 104-117, Dao De Jing 114-160
Week #10
Nov. 7
Daoist Metaphysics
Readings: Dao De Jing 160-204
First Term Project Due
Week #11
Nov. 14
Indian Orthodox Philosophy
Readings: All readings online
Week #12
Nov. 21
Thanksgiving Week. No new material.
Week #13
Nov. 28
Buddhism
Readings: Short History 241-254, Buddhist Discourses 1-18, 26-41, 51-57
Week #14
Dec. 5
Buddhism Continued
Readings: Buddhist Discourses 95-116, 128-149
Week #15
Dec. 12
Zen
Readings: Short History 254-265
Second Term Project Due
Final Exam—Essay questions will be given and answers will be due
Dec. 20th