Module: PET5000-20 Darshana, Dharma and Dao

Level: 5

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor: Sarah Flavel

Module Tutor Contact Details: s.flavel@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:

This module gives you an overview of selected Indian and Chinese thought as philosophical traditions. 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 India and China and specific examples of Indian and Chinese philosophies. These examples will be chosen from orthodox systems of Hindu thought such as Nyaya-Vaisheshka, and Vedanta, various Buddhist schools such as Abhidharma, Madhyamaka (San-Lun) and Chan, Confucian scholars such as Kongzi, Mengzi and Xunzi, and Daoist sages such as Lao-tzu and Zhuangzi .

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

3.Teaching and learning activities

Learning is facilitated by a 2-hour interactive lecture/workshop and 2 hour student-led seminar. Lectures will introduce major schools of thought and associated debates together with overarching themes and necessary contextualisation. Seminars 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: Course Work

• Description: Student Conference/Group Presentation (2,000 words equivalent)

• % Weighting: 40%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Essay (3,000 words)

• % Weighting: 60%