Fall 2003

ANS 301M • 7-World Philosophy

Course Description

This course introduces students to philosophy through the study of central philosophical problems and classic philosophical texts from around the world. We will devote much of our attention to philosophers from non-Western traditions in India, China, Japan, West Asia, and Africa. Our chief topics will be: 1. Truth. We will discuss semantic, correspondence, and pragmatist theories of truth. 2. Knowledge. We will discuss internalist and externalist perspectives on knowledge, and evaluate skepticism and its opponents. 3. Experience. We will examine the debate between rationalists and empiricists over whether all knowledge comes from experience. 4. Mind. We will consider Western and non-Western theories of the mind and self. 5. World. We will discuss many central topics in metaphysics: form, categories, the nature of substance, essential and accidental properties, natures, “quiddities”, primary and secondary qualities, real and nominal essences, idealism and realism. 6. God. We will discuss concepts of the religion and God in Western and non-Western religions, as well as arguments for God’s existence. 7. Virtue. We will consider the conceptions of virtue in Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Daoism, Buddhism, and feminism. 8. Right/Wrong. We will discuss various ethical theories that distinguish right from wrong action.

Grading Policy

TBA

Texts

Daniel Bonevac, Worldly Wisdom Huston Smith, The World's Religions

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