PHL2850

Topics in Indian philosophy

Lecturer to be appointed

8 points
* 2 hours per week
* Second semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: Available to later-year students in any faculty

Objectives On successfully completing this subject students should have a good understanding of the main Indian positions regarding the self, both in the metaphysical and moral aspects, and of a number of other important Indian philosophical debates. They should be able to understand original Indian texts (in translation), and be in a position to analyse and assess them.

Synopsis This subject considers topics in Indian philosophy from metaphysics, ethics and theory of knowledge and contrasts Buddhist and Hindu approaches to these topics. (These topics will sometimes vary slightly.) Among metaphysical topics special emphasis is placed on different theories of the self (atman) and the relation of such theories to doctrines of karma or rebirth. The topic of karma raises interesting issues about action and moral responsibility, and therefore has implications for views about ethics. The connection between karma (rebirth) and dharma (moral law) is explored. The role of detachment as a possibly independent moral ideal is also considered, with particular emphasis on its relationship to action, and to moksha or release. While the focus throughout the discussion of these metaphysical and ethical topics is on certain Hindu and Buddhist views, the final topics in theory of knowledge draw also on the views of the Jains, in particular the relativism of the doctrine of non-onesidedness.

Assessment Two essays (2500 words each): 40% each
* One 1-hour examination: 20%
* One essay may optionally be replaced by a two-hour examination.

Prescribed texts

A collection of readings available from the department and on reserve in the Sir Louis Matheson Library