Nicholaos Jones - Asian Philosophy

ASIAN PHILOSOPHY

Course Description

This course examines the major philosophical traditions from India and China. From India, the course surveys foundations for the major traditions and then investigates in more detail some debates about the existence of the self and the existence of composite unities. From China, the course surveys foundations for the Ruist (Confucian) and Daoist traditions, reviews the Chinese reception of Buddhism, and then examines in more detail some debates about the emptiness of reality. The goal is to examine different metaphysical systems on their own terms, while avoiding simplistic explanations or comparisons to more familiar (European) systems.

Course Objectives

Describe and compare distinctive styles, concerns, and presuppositions of philosophical theorizing
Identify major figures and ideas associated with Asian philosophical traditions
Interpret and summarize textual writings from significant Asian philosophers
Recognize, evaluate, and discuss abstract ideas and arguments

Course Structure

Part 1: Indian Roots

The Early Vedas
Ājīvikaism
Jainism
The Vedic Synthesis
Lokāyata
Nikāya Buddhism: No-Self
Nikāya Buddhism: Dependent Arising

Part 2: Indian Branches

Indian Darśanas
Nyāya: Self and Consciousness
Nyāya: Unity and Conjunction
Sectarian Buddhism
Indian Madhyamaka: No-Self
Indian Madhyamaka: Combination and Difference

Part 3: Chinese Standards

Ruism
Jixia Daoism
Naturalism
Zhuangzi

Part 4: Chinese Buddhism

Chinese Appropriation
Chinese Madhyamaka
Chinese Abhidharma
Proto-Huayan: Indra's Net
Huayan: Wholes and Parts
Chan