Readings are selected from a variety of authors and works from the last 130 years. Through these readings, we are able to see Japan's struggle and creative thoughts, which have been shaped by its position between Western and traditional culture. An exploration of the origin and developments of Zen Buddhism in East Asia and its influence on contemporary Western culture. Through an examination of theoretical background of Zen Buddhism, ontological implication of Zen meditation, and Zen concept of language in comparison with contemporary Western philosophy of language, the course provides a critical evaluation of the meaning of Zen tradition in modern time. An examination of selected topics relevant to the study of Asia in an interdisciplinary framework.
Topics vary from year to year.
May be repeated for credit when a new topic is offered. Open to nonmajors. An exploration of some of the methodological issues raised by the prospect of one culture understanding and making judgments about another. The course will consider essays on ethical and cognitive relativism, incommensurability, and the hermeneutics of suspicion and faith. Although the focus is primarily methodological, recent Western approaches to understanding Chinese philosophy will provide test cases for some of the theories examined.