Classical Indian Philosophy (an introduction)

General data

Course ID:	3600-IN-IP-OW(Z)
Erasmus code / ISCED:	(unknown) / (0223) Philosophy and ethics The ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education) code has been designed by UNESCO.
Course title:	Classical Indian Philosophy (an introduction)
Name in Polish:	Classical Indian Philosophy (an introduction)
Organizational unit:	Faculty of Oriental Studies
Course groups:
ECTS credit allocation (and other scores):	(not available) Basic information on ECTS credits allocation principles: the annual hourly workload of the student’s work required to achieve the expected learning outcomes for a given stage is 1500-1800h, corresponding to 60 ECTS; the student’s weekly hourly workload is 45 h; 1 ECTS point corresponds to 25-30 hours of student work needed to achieve the assumed learning outcomes; weekly student workload necessary to achieve the assumed learning outcomes allows to obtain 1.5 ECTS; work required to pass the course, which has been assigned 3 ECTS, constitutes 10% of the semester student load. view allocation of credits
Language:	English
Prerequisites (description):	fluency in English
Mode:	Classroom
Short description:	The series of lectures offers an overview of most important philosophical schools of Classical India, from the the second till twelfth century, including Brahmanical traditions (Nyāya-Vaiśeṣika, Sāṁhya-Yoga, Mīmāṁsā-Vedānta) and non-Brahmanical traditions (Buddhism, Jainism, Materialism). Ideas developed by classical Indian philosophers are comparable to those developed in the West. Important philosophical concepts of these schools are briefly discussed and placed in the context of philosophical debates in Classical India. The lectures demonstrate how differently these philosophical schools viewed the structure of the world (ontology), how they linked ontology to the theories of knowledge (epistemology), how they conceived of "the meaning of life" and what modes of proper life they suggested (ethics). Some elements of comparative philosophy are present, especially parallels to some developments in Western philosophy. These lectures are strictly on philosophy, not on popular Yoga etc.
Full description:	The series of lectures offers an overview of most important philosophical schools of Classical India, from the the second till twelfth century, including Brahmanical tradition and non-Brahmanical tradition. Brahmanical tradition identified itself as accepting the religious authority of the Vedas, whereas non-Brahmanical tradition denied that. The former comprises such philosophical currents as logico-epistemological school (Nyāya), philosophy of nature (Vaiśeṣika), dualistic school of enquiry (Sāṁhya), dualistic school of spiritual exercise (Yoga), exegesis of the ritual (Mīmāṁsā), and idealist school (Vedānta). Non-Brahmanical tradition includes a wide range of schools within Buddhism as well as Jainism and Materialism (Cārvāka, Lokāyata). Most important philosophical concepts of these schools are briefly discussed and placed in the context of philosophical debates in Classical India. The lectures demonstrate how differently these philosophical schools viewed the structure of the world (ontology), how they linked ontology to the theories of knowledge (epistemology), how they conceived of "the meaning of life" and what modes of proper life they suggested (ethics). Some elements of comparative philosophy are present, especially parallels to some developments in Western philosophy. Please note that those students who are interested mainly in esoterism, Yoga exercise, spiritual development etc. may be disappointed by these lectures: these lectures are strictly on philosophy.
Bibliography:	Basic readings: (1) Bartley, Christopher: An Introduction to Indian Philosophy. Continuum, New York 2011. (2) Gupta, Bina: An Introduction to Indian philosophy: Perspectives on reality, knowledge, and freedom. Routledge, Oxon 2012. (3) Purushottama, Bilimoria: The Routledge History of Indian Philosophy. Routledge, Oxon 2018. Further readings: Frauwallner, Erich: History of Indian Philosophy. Translated from German. 2 Volumes, Motilal Banarsidass, Delhi 1984. Ganeri, Jonardon: The Oxford Handbook of Indian Philosophy. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2017. Kumar, ShashiPrabha: Classical Vaiśeṣika in Indian Philosophy. On knowing and what is to be known. Routledge, Oxon 2013. Larson, Gerald James: Classical Sāṁkhya: An Interpretation of its History and Meaning. Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi 1998. Matilal, Bimal Krishna: The Central Philosophy of Jainism (Anekānta-vāda). LD Series 79. L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad 1981. Mohanty, Jitendra Nath: Classical Indian Philosophy. Oxford University Press, New Delhi 2000. Olivelle, Patrick: The Early Upaniṣads. Annotated Text and Translation. Oxford University Press, Oxford–New York 1998. Siderits, Mark (2007) Buddhism as Philosophy: An Introduction. Hants: Ashgate Publishing Limited. Tuske, Joerg (ed.): Indian Epistemology and Metaphysics. Bloomsbury Academic, London–Oxford–New York 2017. Westerhoff, Jan: The Golden Age of Indian Buddhist Philosophy. Oxford University Press, Oxford 2018. Zimmer, Heinrich: Philosophies of India. Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd., London 1952.
Learning outcomes:	K_W01 has basic knowledge of the place and importance of Oriental studies in the humanities and their specificity in relation to the subject and methodology K_W02 has organized general knowledge (including terminology, theory and methodology) in the scope of cultural studies K_W03 knows and understands basic philosophical trends and terms as well as the role of philosophical reflection in culture shaping processes K_W04 has basic knowledge in the range of theory of humanities (literary studies or linguistics or history) necessary to understand chosen cultural aspects K_W07 has detailed and organized knowledge of philosophy and religion of South Asia K_W17 knows the state of research in chosen aspects pertaining to South Asia K_W18 knows and understands basic analysis and interpretation methods of various products of culture characteristic of chosen theories and schools of research within the scope of culture and religion studies, literary studies, linguistics, philosophy and history K_W20 knows and understands the basic terms and rules of copyright and protection of intellectual property Skills: alumnus K_U01 can search for, analyze, evaluate and use information from different sources K_U03 can use the basic terminology from the domain of philosophy and religion of South Asia K_U19 can use basic knowledge in the scope of methodology of cultural research in a seminar paper K_U23 has the ability of substantive argumentation with the use of other authors’ views K_U26 can acquire knowledge independently and develop research skills following the research supervisor’s instructions Social competences: alumnus K_K01 understands the need to learn all one’s life K_K04 can set appropriate goals and ways to achieve them in the context of academic, professional and social activity K_K05 has awareness of the cultural distinctness and its religious, philosophical, traditional and historical roots and its significance for understanding modern world K_K06 sees the need of dialogue between cultures K_K07 is aware of significance the culture of South Asia has for the culture of the world
Assessment methods and assessment criteria:	Term paper of problematic character: the format of the paper will be provided during the course. Regular attendance (two unexcused absences are permitted).
Practical placement:	none

This course is not currently offered.

Course descriptions are protected by copyright.
Copyright by University of Warsaw.