Admission requirements
Admission to this course is restricted to:
second-year students BA Filosofie;
pre-master’s students in Philosophy who are in possession of an admission statement, and for whom this course is part of their programme.
Description
This course offers an introduction to the foundational texts and ideas of ancient Indian and Chinese philosophical traditions. We will explore the core teachings of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism, to examine how these traditions grapple with significant philosophical questions. In the Indian tradition, students will begin with a concise survey of the Vedas and Upaniṣads, followed by an engagement with early Buddhist thought. Central themes will include theories of knowledge and epistemic justification, the (non)existence of the self, and the relation between metaphysics and liberation. Turning to the Chinese tradition, we will investigate the ethical and political philosophy of Confucius and Mencius, alongside the Daoist metaphysical and epistemic perspectives articulated in Daodejing and the Zhuangzi. The course also introduces students to the practice of comparative philosophy. We will place these Asian traditions in dialogue with selected philosophers in Western philosophical tradition to foster a cross-cultural reflection on selfhood, virtue, reason, and the good life.
Course objectives
This course aims to:
introduce students to the Chinese and Indian Philosophical traditions;
introduce students to the practice of comparative philosophy.
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
basic philosophical positions of several of the most influential schools of Chinese and Indian Philosophy, such as Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism;
a basic understanding of the advantages of, as well as the potential difficulties in engaging with philosophical ideas comparatively.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
present this knowledge in written form (written exams);
formulate critical responses to these philosophical ideas and positions;
at an introductory level, work cross-culturally with philosophical ideas.
Timetable
The timetables are available through MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
- Lectures.
Class attendance is required.
Assessment method
Assessment
Three-hour written examination (midterm and final) with short open questions and essay questions
Weighing
Midterm: 50%
Final: 50%
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
One written exam covers the entire class and replaces the entire grade.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
- Van Norden & Ivanhoe, eds., Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy.
Other course readings will be distributed via Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga.
Remarks
Not applicable.