Introduction to Philosophy: Chinese and Western Styles

1. Introduction to Philosophy: Chinese and Western T,Th 9:30-10:20 MG07

2. Information Professor Chad Hansen Chansen+at-sign+hku.hk Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 and by appointment MB307 http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch Click “Courses” select this course or type in http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro

3. Course Objectives • Basic introduction to philosophy • Norms of philosophical discourse • Using comparative approach • Chinese and western • Sample philosophical styles • Range and variety of philosophical thinking • Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism, existentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatism

4. Purpose Of Philosophy • Discipline, mental training • Intensive education • Open mindedness, broadening • Extensive education • Insight, wisdom, good judgment

5. Course Style • “Discussion lecture” questions anytime • Do fellow students a favor by asking • Concepts, figures, theories, technical terms • Even if already covered • Review and discussion beginning each period • Also at end if we finish

6. Text: Manuscript • Cheap! HK$40 each • Available in philosophy dept • Large chunks of original (in translation) • Some originals in bookstore: Nietzsche • Welcome to buy Chinese versions • Web page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch

7. Lecture Schedule • Standard time requirement • 24 lectures • 9 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-6 • Tutor time requirements • More discussion or smaller class

8. Mechanics • Grade: 100% coursework • Coursework: 1/3 each • 8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday • Announce on Thursday; from reading • Purpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate arguments • Mid-term take-home exercise • Final in-class test • Participation in discussion • Tips borderline (±2%)

9. Quiz Grading • Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1 • 4 = got the argument • 5 = Got it plus! • Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc. • 3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t get the argument • 2 = not enough evidence of the reading • 1 = signed your name

10. Coursework Grade • Quiz score translation • Select top 6 scores • 24 total points = 70 • Scale up and down 80-30 (goes down faster) • Mid-term take-home examination • 10 question, write on 8 one page each • Class test: questions announced at least a week before the end of class • Write on 2 of 4 selected on date of exam

11. Lateness Penalties • Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar day late • Examination: 2% per calendar day late • Up to 10% waived if you get an A

12. Questions On Mechanics?

13. Philosophy: Four Branches • Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality) • Epistemology (theory of knowledge) • Logic (theory of inference, semantics) • Ethics (value theory)

14. Metaphysics • Idealism: reality is nothing but ideas • All reality is mental projection • Materialism: reality is matter • Ideas are not real—imagination or material (brain) • Dualism: both are real and distinct kinds of reality • Other two are forms of monism • Pure (Buddhist) monism

15. Epistemology • Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic) • Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science) • Skepticism: we don’t really know anything • Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how)

16. Logic and Semantics • Rain check on logic (good argument forms) • Semantics: what language conveys • How to interpret • E.G. How to interpret Confucius, Laozi

17. Ethics • Theory of what we should do • What is good and bad • Also political theory (justice) • Aesthetics (art) • Much more later (common area of Chinese and western thought)

18. Questions • Name • Self Description (bring in picture) • From? • Other philosophy? • Why this course? • Interests • Suggestions