| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philosophy 342b TOPICS IN ASIAN PHILOSOPHY: ZEN THOUGHT
Prerequisite: Philosophy 101 (2 semesters) and either 241 (Hindu Thought) or
242 (Buddhist Thought) or 315 (Advanced topics in Logic and Language).
This advanced seminar focuses on the development of Zen Buddhism culminating in the work of Nishida and his influentioal Kyoto School of Zen Philosophy. The background in the Indian origins of Madhyamika dialectic introduced by Nagarjuna is traced through the Zen Master Dogen and into the flourishing of the modern Kyoto School founded by Nishida. The seminar focuses on texts by Dogen and on selected writings in the Kyoto School: Nishida, Nishitani and Abe.
This seminar involves intensive discussion of the issues in a global context of philosophy. Nishida's thought is developed in dialogue with thinkers such as Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, Husserl, Sartre and Heidegger.
Readings:
1) Zen Master Dogen- Moon in a Dewdrop
2) Nishida- Selected Essays and Last Writings
3) Nishitani- Religion and Nothingness
4) Nagarjuna- Selected Karikas
5) Abe- Zen and Western Thought
Optional: Gangadean Meditative Reason
Requirements:
One five page paper on an assigned topic at midterm; an intensive midterm conference (small group) with written preparation on midterm review questions; an extended l5-20 page research paper on a topic selected by the student that develops central themes of the course
|
