Eastern Philosophy

Eastern Philosophy (EPIL) was a CAA Humanities course that focused on the ancient forms of philosophy involving the religions of Hinduism, Buddhidm and Confucianism. This course was only offered at Bristol.

Course Description

From the CTY Course Catalog (2007):

Concepts such as karma, nirvana, and yin and yang, and thinkers such as Buddha and Confucius, have established themselves in Western consciousness. For many people, however, these isolated bits of knowledge amount to little more than a fragmented picture of Eastern thought and its rich history.

This course is an intensive study of Eastern philosophy from ancient to modern times with an emphasis on major traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Maoism. Students may also consider other strands of non-Western thought such as Persian philosophy or Japanese Buddhism. They critically reflect on the nature of the self, society, and reality presented in these systems of thought while also examining how these different traditions borrowed ideas from one another. Throughout their examination, students explore the historical impact of Eastern ideas within the Western philosophical tradition, as well as the controversial distinction between the two.

Although the historical context of these schools of thought is important, this is a philosophy course focusing on the conceptual architecture of the major traditions of Eastern philosophy. As they critique primary works, participate in discussions, and write analytical essays, students critically engage with Eastern metaphysics, epistemology, and philosophical anthropology.