The Place of Man in the World. Selected philosophical themes in Ancient Greece, India and China 3800-MCS24-S
The classes are based on the assumption of a polycentric genesis of philosophy. During the seminar, the views of thinkers primarily from the Greco-Roman, Indian, and Chinese traditions will be analyzed. Through a comparative approach, we will examine the similarities and differences between Eastern and Western philosophical traditions. We will delve into topics such as: the self, the nature of language, the individual and social life, and man and the cosmos. The discussed views will be considered within their cultural context. We will contemplate the specificity of philosophy within a given cultural sphere, its relation to religion, science, legislation, and politics.
Throughout the seminar, we will engage with philosophical texts of fundamental importance for understanding the discussed philosophical traditions, as well as lesser-known thinkers. We will consider, among others: the Pre-Socratics, Plato, Greek tragedy, Hellenistic and Roman thinkers; the Upanishads, selected Brahmanic schools, the Bhagavad Gita; Confucianism, Daoism, philosophy of Mozi and legalists (Han Feizi) as well as a selection of most influential texts from Buddhist philosophical tradition. Occasionally, we may also consider Arabic philosophy.
Each time, we will strive to demonstrate how the language in which philosophical thought was expressed (Greek, Latin, Classical Chinese, Sanskrit, Arabic) determined the shape of that thought (no knowledge of any of these languages is required). We will show the historical conditions influencing the development of philosophy in Eastern and Western traditions.
Type of course
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge: Participants acquire and develop knowledge about the possibility of juxtaposing and comparing Western and Eastern philosophical concepts while interpreting selected philosophical issues.
Abilities: Participants are able to recognize, prioritize and interpret key topics in source texts presented on the seminar. Furthermore they gain the ability to express their views in a clear and articulate manner.
Social skills: Participants are aware of diversity and richness of Eastern and Western philosophical traditions are and are able to understand crucial differences between them. This enables the students to better function in multicultural environments.
Assessment criteria
To obtain credit and complete the seminar with a positive result the student is required to:
- actively participate in discussions
- submit an or give a presentation essay on a selected topic
Number of absences: 2 in a semester
Bibliography
General:
Feng Youlan, Krótka historia filozofii chińskiej, tłum. M. Zagrodzki, Warszawa 2001.
Filozofia Wschodu, red. B. Szymańska, Kraków 2001.
Foucault M., Hermeneutyka podmiotu, tłum. M. Herer, Warszawa 2012.
Hadot P., Czym jest filozofia starożytna?, tłum. P. Domański, Warszawa, 2000.
Hamilton S., Filozofia indyjska. Wprowadzenie, tłum. M. Szkółka, M. Jakubczak, Kraków 2011.
JeeLoo Liu, Wprowadzenie do filozofii chińskiej. Od myśli starożytnej do chińskiego buddyzmu,
Kraków 2010.
Koller J., Asian Philosophies, 7th edition, New York 2018.
Zotz V., Historia filozofii buddyjskiej, tłum. M. Nowakowska, Kraków 2007.
Further Reading:
Balcerowicz P., Historia klasycznej filozofii indyjskiej, cz. I, Warszawa 2003, cz. III, Warszawa
2016.
A Companion to World Philosophies, E. Deutsch, R. Bontekoe (eds.), Malden/Oxford 1999.
Filozofia kultur Wschodu, red. P. Mróz, M. Ruchel, A. Wójcik, Kraków 2015.
Jakubczak K., Madhjamaka Nagardżuny. Filozofia czy terapia?, Kraków 2010.
Radhakrishnan S., Filozofia indyjska, tłum. Z. Wrzeszcz, Kraków 2020.
Schayer S., O filozofowaniu Hindusów, Warszawa 1988.
Schwartz B., Starożytna myśl chińska, tłum. M. Komorowska, Kraków 2009.
Sources:
Bhagawadgita, czyli Pieśń Pana, tłum. J. Sachse, Wrocław 1988.
Dhammapada, czyli strofy o Dhammie, tłum. I. Kania, Kraków 2023.
Epiktet, Diatryby, Encheiridion, tłum. L. Joachimowicz, Warszawa 1961.
Filozofia Wschodu. Wybór tekstów, red. M. Kudelska, Kraków 2002.
Konfucjusz, Analekta, tłum. K. Pejda, Warszawa 2018.
Laozi, Księga dao i de z komentarzami Wang Bi, tłum. A. Wójcik, Kraków 2006.
Marek Aureliusz, Rozmyślania (do siebie samego), tłum. K. Łapiński, Warszawa 2020.
Mencjusz z wybranymi komentarzami, tłum. M. Religa, Warszawa 2021.
Muttavali. Wypisy z ksiąg starobuddyjskich, tłum. I. Kania (różne wydania).
Platon, Uczta, Fajdros (tłum. E. Zwolski lub W. Witwicki), Państwo, tłum. W. Witwicki.
Seneka, Dialogi (tłum. L. Joachimowicz), Listy do Lucyliusza (tłum. W. Kornatowski), różne wyd.
Suttanipata. Zbiór nauk buddyzmu pierwotnego, tłum. I. Kania, Warszawa 2023.
Upaniszady, tłum. M. Kudelska, Kraków 2004.
Zhuangzi, Prawdziwa Księga Południowego Kwiatu, tłum. M. Jacoby, Warszawa 2009.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: