Module: PET6106-20 Asian Philosophies

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Paul Reid-Bowen

Module Tutor Contact Details: p.reid-bowen@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module gives you an overview of selected Asian philosophies. In so doing, it challenges the tendency to limit philosophy to Western approaches or marginalise non-Western theories, summed up by Simon Critchley in the telling phrase ‘[p]hilosophy speaks Greek and only Greek’. This involves examining philosophy as a global phenomenon, by reference to Asian philosophies and with specific examples of Chinese and/or Indian philosophies. These examples may be chosen from Confucian scholars such as Kongzi, Mengzi and Xunzi, and Daoist sages such as Lao-tzu and Zhuangzi, various Buddhist schools such as Abhidharma, Madhyamaka (San-Lun) and Chan, and/or orthodox systems of Hindu thought such as Nyaya-Vaisheshka, and Vedanta.

This is a Vertically-Integrated Module. It aims to facilitate working with other students across levels, as a collaborative community of inquiry, so as to better think about and theorise the nature of global philosophy in the twenty-first century. 

The module aims to:

• Develop an understanding of the cross-cultural complexity and diversity of religious, philosophical and ethical concepts, systems and traditions;

• Consider the conceptual resources available in Asian religious, philosophical and ethical systems;

• Encourage you to examine your own pre-suppositions and explore unfamiliar methods of thinking about truth, reality and the human condition; and

• Stress that Asian philosophical and ethical analysis and enquiry can be applied to a range of contemporary debates, issues and problems.

2.Outline syllabus:

The module will include an introduction to the concepts of Asian philosophy and ‘World Philosophy’ with some historical and cultural contextualisation of both Chinese and Indian thought. It will discuss issues in the study of Chinese philosophy, e.g. debates surrounding the relationship between natural and social order, and those that arise in the study of Indian philosophy, e.g. debates surrounding its supposed spiritual character. Specific examples of Asian philosophy are examined and evaluated, illustrating aspects of the diversity and development of, for example, Confucian, Daoist, Buddhist and Hindu thought. It will also integrate study and research skills sessions.

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Learning is facilitated by 3 hours of interactive lecture/workshops and student-led seminar/workshops. Lecture/workshops will introduce major schools of thought and associated debates together with overarching themes and necessary contextualisation. Seminar/workshops will provide a forum for argument as well as an opportunity for presentations on particular religious, philosophical and ethical issues. You will be expected to do some preparatory reading and thinking following the guidance in the module handbook, to engage actively with lectures and contribute fully to seminars.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Student Conference (total 2000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 40

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Research Project (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60