SLO

PHIL15: ASIAN PHILOSOPHIES

Course Description

This course is designed to introduce the student to the minor Asian philosophical traditions. This will consist of reviewing major East, South East, and South Asian philosophical traditions (e.g. Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism) and the non-Western approach to epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, and logic. We shall attempt to evaluate, examine, and compare many important theoretical principles and the ways they have influenced each other as well as Asian and Asian-American cultures and societies. ADVISORY: Eligible for English 1A.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate the ability to distinguish and compare systematically a variety of Eastern philosophies (such as Hindu, Buddhist, Confucian, and/or Daoist) and their conceptions of the Self, epistemology, morality, values, and traditions.
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze several Euro-American/Western ethical and epistemological assumptions with similar fundamental assumptions in ancient Asian/Eastern thought.
Demonstrate knowledge of the relationship between the Asian philosophical tradition and its culture.
Analyze the blending of cultures and traditions within the scope of an individual philosophical school.
Describe the importance of the philosophical concept of the Self, and how it varies across traditions and cultures.
Demonstrate in written and oral form the ability to be socially aware and culturally tolerant of non-western perspectives.