PHL 485 Comparative Philosophy: The East and the West Instructor: John Z. DingOffice: 1-328Phone: (909) 869-4660 Fax: (909) 869-4434E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.csupomona.edu/~zdingOffice Hours:Tuesday: 10:55am—11:55am Wednesday: 3:30pm—6:00pmThursday: 11:25am—12:55pm I. Description A general comparative study of Eastern philosophy and Western philosophy. The study will include metaphysics, epistemology, methodology, human life, religious beliefs and Socio-political values and ideals. This course is designed equally for philosophy students and for students from other disciplines with a strong interest in multicultural studies such as world history world religion, international politics international business, international agriculture, foreign languages, ethnic and women's studies, social sciences, communication and behavioral sciences. No specific background in Eastern philosophy would be necessary. II. Expected Outcomes This course provides a coherent curriculum of course work in philosophy that will prepare students for graduate work, professional work in human services area and personal enhancement. The general purpose of this course is to foster a better understanding of the philosophic issues in world culture, international affairs and interdisciplinary studies. The proposed course emphasizes the following:- Multicultural multiethnic and international aspects of higher education;- Dialogue and interaction between the Eastern and the Western value systems;- An academic understanding and examination in a broadly based interdisciplinary background.- Certain sociopolitical ideological religious moral and economic practical issues in different traditions. III. Text and ReadingsThis course will use basic history of religions and Philosophy texts supplemented with original scripture, literature, and modern workswritten by leading thinker's from these traditions. At the appropriate time, the instructor will decide which of the current publications provide the best analyses of the problems. The following are publications that are possible texts and readings for the teaching. Text: Blocker, H. Gene, World Philosophy: an East-West Comparative Introduction to Philosophy, Upper Saddle River, N. J. Prentice Hall, 1999Optional Readings: - Benesch, Walter, An Introduction To Comparative Philosophy: A Travel Guide to Philosophical Space, Palgrave Macmillan, 2001- Scharfstein, B, A Comparative History of World Philosophy, State University of New York Press, 1998- William Theodore De Bary, Sources of Chinese Tradition, Columbia University Press; 2nd ed., 2004- Wm. Theodore de Bare, Sources of Indian Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2004- Wm. Theodore de Bare, Sources of Japanese Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2006- Fung, Yu-lan, A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, New York, The Macmillan Company, 1997 - Flew, Antonny, An Introduction to Western Philosophy, Indianapolis, The Bobbs-Merrill Company, INC. 1971 IV. Course Outline This course will present a critical inquire into several of the more central concepts and problems specific and common to most, if not all, of Eastern and Western religious thoughts, traditions and philosophies. We will cover Indian, Chinese and Western philosophic thoughts including a general overview of ontology, epistemology, methodology, and moral, social and political philosophy. We will focus on: - A comparative study of the relationship between human being and divine being, human being and natural being, human beingand human being, and human being and his or her mind—a study of the concepts of the supernatural being, the natural being,the human being, the world and the meaning of life; - A comparative study of Eastern and Western beliefs, values and ideals; - A comparative study of Eastern and Western religious practices; - A comparative study of spirituality and thought patterns.V. Instructional Methods- Students familiarize themselves with assigned reading materials.- Instructor provides additional information in lectures.- Instructor introduces particular topics, identifies major issues of significance or points of contention, and indicates the focus of class discussion.- Students refine their understanding of selected issues through additional research and the preparation of class, presentations or essays and research papers. VI. Course ScheduleIntroduction Ch. 1 & HandoutsLecture 9/24Speech & Class Discussion 9/29Comparative Metaphysics Ch. 4 & HandoutsLecture 10/01Speech & Class Discussion 10/06Comparative Epistemology Ch. 3 & HandoutsLecture 10/13Speech & Class Discussion 10/15Group discussion1 10/20Comparative Logic and Language Ch. 2 & HandoutsLecture 10/22Speech & Class Discussion 10/27Comparative Aesthetics HandoutsLecture 10/29Speech & Class Discussion 11/03 Films 11/05Group discussion2 11/10Comparative Ethics Ch. 5 & HandoutsLecture 11/12Speech & Class Discussion 11/17Comparative Social Political Philosophy Ch. 6 & HandoutsLecture 11/19Speech & Class Discussion 11/24Speech & Class Discussion 12/01Conclusion Handouts 12/03Group discussion3 12/03VII. Evaluation of OutcomesYour grade will be based on the following factors, weighted on percentage: - One take-home essay (two given questions) or term paper: a. good understanding; b. good reasoning, analyses or criticism; c. clearand logical writing; d. 2-3 double space typing pages for each essay question; e. 6-7 double space typing pages for term paper; f. specific topic for term paper. 30%- Speech: a. specific topic; b. good preparation; c. good understanding; d. good thinking; e. good response. 30%- 10 reading reports: a. good understanding; b. clear and logical writing; c. around 2 double space typing pages for each. 30%- Class and Group Discussions: a. good attendance & participation; b. every student must be the leader once in group discussions;c. 3% will be deducted from 10% for 3 unexcused absences, 6% for 4 unexcused absences, 10% for 5 or more unexcusedabsences, and a grade of F will be given if you miss 50% of class (I will check the attendance at the end of each class meeting,and determine whether an absence is excusable or inexcusable). 10%Important Notes: 1) the policies on course withdrawal, cheating and