INTRODUCTION PHIL: ASIAN TRADITIONS 

PREREQUISITE: Completion of ENG 21 or Eng 22 or ESL 15 or Placement in ENG 100 or ENG 102.

TEXTS:      Asian Philosophies, by John M. Koller  

The Fall, by Albert Camus, in the bookstore or online at:

http://hudsoncress.org/html/library/literature/Camus,%20Albert%20-%20The%20Fall.pdf

                    Siddhartta, by Herman Hess, in the book store or on line at: 

                    http://www.online-literature.com/hesse/siddhartha/

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Eastern Philosophy examines, major Asian philosophical traditions, their historical development, trends, movements and schools of thought in a comparative study of methods, theories and problems associated with these and other world views. This course, aims to have students understand and appreciate the philosophical significance of these areas of study as a means of improving the quality of human life through value clarification.

COURSE PURPOSE:

To facilitate and develop students' understanding and application of the basic principles of Eastern Philosophy. By developing critical thinking skills and use, them to examine some of the major figures, issues and ideas in eastern philosophy, students will learn the value of philosophy, first hand. Further, to critically examine and learn to appreciate the values, beliefs and attitudes of one's own and others, 'World Views'.

COURSE OUTCOMES: Students Will

• Use their understanding to recognize and demonstrate knowledge of some major figures and perennial problems in the history of eastern philosophy, using appropriate philosophical terminology.
• Participate in doing philosophy by written self-examinations to appreciate  philosophy as an academic discipline.
• Engage reading texts, writing essays, examining artifacts, concepts and processes as well as theories and issues of philosophical concern.
• Use their understanding of their own and others, 'World Views' and belief systems to determine the differences between eastern and western philosophies.
• Think critically and express ideas, values and opinions adequately, by engaging in free and open discussion of competing ideas.
• Demonstrate an ability to inquire into methods of study and reflection on and argumentation of ideas that are relevant to philosophical inquiry.

METHOD OF INSTRUCTION:

Lectures, demonstrations, guest speakers, readings and interactive class discussions.

EVALUATION:

Written Assignments: --------- 60%, including three, 4, 3-page essays assigned the 4th, 8th, 12th and 16th week of instruction.  Essays are due one week later.  

Participation, Preparedness and Attendance: ----- 20%

Internet Searches --------- 20%

Field Trips:  There will be one, field trip, on a Saturday.

• To the Soto Zen Mission in down town Hilo.  Plan on 1-1/2 to 2 hrs.  Date and time will be posted.

• Participation, Preparedness and timely completion of written assignments will be considered when determining your grade. Any student missing a total of two weeks, during the semester, will receive an F grade. All disappears will receive an F grade. All students must abide by the Student Code of Conduct. Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should contact Karen Kane at ex. 30702, as early in the semester as possible.
• In order to do well in this class you must:

1. Participate.        2. Show up for class.        3. Do your work.

Please note that the "I" grade, is given, only if there are special circumstances that warrant such a grade.

COURSE CONTENT:

I. A two-week period on: Philosophy defined.

1. What it is.

2. Why study it?

3. Major differences between East and West.

II. A three-week period on: Hinduism.

1. Religion: Theism/Atheism.

2. Atman/Brhaman/Anatman.

3. Why do you, or don't you believe?

4. Is religion superstition?

5. Free will v/s determinism.

B. Siddhartta, by Hess.

1. Alternatives.

2. What to choose and why?

3. 1^st essay.

III. A two-week period on: Taoism. 

1. Relativism.

2. Value revealed through opposites.

3. Non-duality.

4. In-action/Wu Wei.

5. 2^nd essay

IV. A two-week period on: Confucianism.

1. Natural Law.

2. Virtue Ethics.

3. The Ying and Yang of it all.

4. Li and Jen.

V. A two-week period on: Existentialism.

1. Who decides the truth?

2. Responsibility.

3. Freedom.

B. The "Self" discovered, The Fall, by Camus.

1. Who am I?

2. Unconscious Self.

3. The search for meaning.

4. Possibilities and Limitations.

5. 3^rd essay.

VI. A three to four-week period on: Buddhism.

• Normative Ethics: Socrates and the Buddha.
• Noble Truths? Noble Lies?
• Empiricism v/s Rationalism.
• Causality.
• Emptiness.
• 4^th essay.

Reading  Assignments:

Week 1

1.    Siddhartta, as soon as you can.

2.    The Fall, after the second essay.

3.    Asian Philosophies, Read the Introduction and Part I  chapter 1,

Week 2-5

4.    Asian Philosophies, Chapters 2, 4, 8

Week 6

Asian Philosophies, Chapter 21, Taoism

Week 7-8

Asian Philosophies, Chapter 20, 22 Confucianism and Neo Confucianism

Week 9-10

The Fall, Existentialism

Week 11- 15

Asian Philosophies, Chapters 12 -15 Buddhism

Class Notes:

1.   Create a file.  Store all your work during the semester.

2.    Click on highlighted URL's for books all first year college students should read:

                                The Apology:     http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/p/plato/

                                                             or 

                                                   http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html

                                                                                        or

                                                    http://wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/APOLOGY.HTM

The Symposium: http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/ancient/plato-symposium.txt  

                                                             or                      

                       http://etext.library.adelaide.edu.au/p/plato/p71sy/symposium.html

           Flatland:            http://books.google.com/books?id=HKackp-vGYC&dq=Flat+LAnd&pg=PP1&ots=Uquv6AxLsl&sig=mx9mSL8gYdICM7llqTYOeg0iv3M&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result

3.    Last day of Instruction:  May 6th, 2009 

Subject: eCAFE: Course & Faculty Evaluations

1.    Click here for:    http://www.hawaii.edu/ecafe

            Field Trip to Soto Zen Buddhist Temple: TBA

The Soto Zen Mission is in the back of Garden Exchange, between Kinaaole and Kilauea streets, next to the old Western Auto store, on Haile st.

             Click here for:    Hinduism

                        Click here for:    Writing a Philosophy Essay

Essay Assignments:        

                Follow guidelines below.

1^st Essay:  From the perspective of a Hindu:  What are you?

Due:    03-04-09

2^nd Essay:  What is the difference between the 'Way' in Taoism and the 'Way' in Confucianism?

Due:    03-30-09

3^rd Essay:  From an existential perspective:  Are you condemned to be free?

Due:  04-15-09

4^th Essay: Examine the Buddha's concept of emptiness, from your own perspective.

Due:  05-15-09

Essay Format:

1. No title page, and no title on any other page.

2. Three pages of text minimum, no less than three pages, no more than three and a half pages.

3. Double-spaced.

4. Left, justification.

5. Top and bottom margins 1" (set to .5, to allow for name and date on first page and for page numbering.  Left and right margins  1".

6. Pages numbered, starting with second page of text, no number on first page.

7. Start text 1 double-space down, from Name and Date.

8. Standard, Times New Roman, 12 point font, no bold or large font.

9. Your work must be computerized. You should 'compose' your essay on the computer.

10. Name and date belong in the upper right-hand corner of first page of text, nothing else.

(DWPS2009)

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