Contemporary East Asian Philosophy

 This module introduces the diverse landscape of modern and contemporary East Asian philosophies. The course is divided into two main sections: The first part offers an overview of the transformations within Chinese philosophy from the early 20th century through to contemporary China. It specifically examines how traditional philosophies were influenced by Western thought and shaped by major socio-political events. The second part explores the development of modern Japanese philosophy, starting from the late 19th century and extending to the present day. Key topics covered include the work of the Kyoto School, modern ethics, and contemporary philosophy of culture. Prerequisite: Students are expected to have a basic familiarity with pre-modern East Asian philosophies. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students should be able to 

• display knowledge and understanding of key issues in modern and current East Asian philosophies

• demonstrate an understanding of aspects of contemporary Chinese and Japanese philosophies in relation to their cultural contexts

• display an understanding of the influence of Western thought on modern and current East Asian philosophies

• explain rigourously and accurately existing works in the field

• develop critical thinking and creative ideas pertaining to the interpretation of contemporary East Asian philosophies

• research and write a coherent essay with citations on a set topic in the field of contemporary East Asian philosophies

• actively take part in critical and constructive dialogues

Course books

Cheng, C.-Y. and Bunnin, N. (eds.), Contemporary Chinese Philosophy, Wiley-Blackwell

Tiwald, J. and Van Norden , B.W. (eds.), Readings in Later Chinese Philosophy: Han to the 20th Century, Hackett Publishing

Calichman, R. (ed.), Contemporary Japanese Thought, Columbia University Press

Yusa, M. (ed.) The Bloomsbury Research Handbook of Contemporary Japanese Philosophy, Bloomsbury

Indicative content

(1) Modern Chinese philosophy from early 20th century: new thought from the West and the transformation of traditions

(2) Marxism and modernity: reactions against philosophical traditions in China

(3) Chinese traditional trends reinvented: New Neo-Confucianism 

(4) Modern Japanese philosophy: the Kyoto School (Nishida Kitaro, Nishitani Keiji)

(5) Modern ethics in Japan: Watsuji Tetsuro

(6) Recent Japanese philosophy: aesthetics, gender, environment