PHIL 2700
Asian Philosophy
An examination of South Asian and East Asian philosophical texts, from the period of the Upanishads and early Buddhism in India to modern philosophical movements. Historical sources may include Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Confucian or Taoist texts, with a focus on metaphysical, epistemological or ethical themes.
2018
Topics
- Early Buddhism in the context of Ancient Hinduism
- Comparing Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism (ethics and ‘metaphysics’)
- Ideas and Ideals in Mahayana Buddhism: emptiness and the bodhisattva ideal
- New Theories of Self in East Asian Philosophy
- Untutored versus Cultivated Spontaneity (other Chinese philosophical traditions)
- Buddha Nature as Original Creativity
Readings
- Charles Goodman, Consequences of Compassion: An Interpretation and Defence of Buddhist Ethics (Oxford: OUP, 2009), available as an ebook at the Carleton library website (chapters 1-6)
Prerequisites & course information
Prerequisite(s): second-year standing. Lectures three hours a week. May be offered as an online course in selected terms.