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Academic Year 2005/2006

Sagehood
PHIL 342 SP
Crosslistings:
RELI 327
EAST 327

This course is designed to explore the Confucian ideal of sagehood, especially as it was articulated by neo-Confucians over the last thousand or so years. We will also look at sagehood in comparative perspective by considering both descriptions of, and arguments for and against, similar personality ideals in ancient and contemporary Western thought. Our goals will be both interpretive and evaluative: We will ask both how one is supposed to learn to be a sage, and whether there are aspects of this process and ideal that we ought to adopt ourselves. In summary, we will engage with the idea of sagehood from a variety of perspectives: intellectual history, comparative philosophy, moral psychology, and personal cultivation.

MAJOR READINGS

Readings will be from both primary sources, in translation, and a variety of secondary works.

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several in-class presentations and short writing assignments, one five page paper, and one research project.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

There are no specific requirements, but some background in one or more of the following is expected: Chinese philosophy, Chinese history, other traditions of self-cultivation or moral psychology. Students unsure of their preparation for the class should contact the instructor.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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