5343002 Japanese Philosophy
| Numbering Code | U-LET05 25343 SJ34 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Second semester | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Credits | 2 | Course Type | foundations seminar | |
| Target Year | Target Student | |||
| Language | Japanese | Day/Period | Thu.3・4 | |
| Instructor name | NAKAJIMA YUTA (Part-time Lecturer) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course | This course provides an introduction to the history of Japanese philosophy and an opportunity for students in other majors to learn about Japanese philosophy. I will lecture on善の研究 [An Inquiry Into the Good] by Kitaro Nishida, which is one of the foundational works of Japanese philosophy. An Inquiry Into the Good (1911) has been described as the first original and systematic book of philosophy written by a Japanese philosopher; it is the most well-researched text of this kind in the world. Having learned from the framework of modern Western philosophy, Nishida vigorously incorporated psychology and other scientific thought. He was also influenced by pre-modern Japanese thought. Thus, this text is intertwined with various elements and can be read from various perspectives. (*Classes are held every other week.) | |||
| Course Goals |
* Understand An Inquiry Into the Good, a foundational work of Japanese philosophy * Through discussions, acquire the ability to understand texts more deeply and examine ideas critically |
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| Schedule and Contents |
The goal is for students to understand the theory of pure experience, the central idea of An Inquiry Into the Good, which holds that “the phenomena of consciousness are the one reality.” To understand the ethical ideas concerning good and freedom, students will read a few chapters from Parts II and III. Each student will choose a text and briefly present points of concern and questions to start the class discussions. The course schedule is as follows. Weeks 1-2: Introduction: Introduction to An Inquiry Into the Good, an overview of Part II “Existence,” and the allocation of texts among the students Weeks 3-4: Part II, Chapter 1, “The Point of Departure for Our Enquiry” Weeks 5-6: Part II, Chapter 2, “The Phenomena of Consciousness Are the One Reality” Weeks 7-8: Summary of Part II “Existence” and an overview of Part II “The Good” Weeks 9-10: Part III, Chapter 3, “Freedom of Will” Weeks 11-12: Part III, Chapter 9, “The Good (The Action Theory)” Weeks 13-14: Part III, Chapter 10, “The Good of Personality” Week 15: Summary |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy | Contribution to discussion 50%; content of the presentation 50% | |||
| Course Requirements | Nothing in particular. Prior basic knowledge of Japanese philosophy is not a requirement. This seminar is for beginners and welcomes students who have not read An Inquiry Into the Good. | |||
| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) | Read through the assigned readings before each class. | |||
| Textbooks | Textbooks/References | 西田幾多郎（注解・解説 藤田正勝） 『善の研究』 (岩波文庫〔2012年改版〕) ISBN:978-4-00-331241-4 [Kitaro Nishida, An Inquiry Into the Good, commentary by Masakatsu Fujita]. Please read the revised edition of 2012. Other materials will be printed out and distributed in class. | ||
| References, etc. | Introduced during class. | |||
