COMPARATIVE PHILOSOPHY

Spring 2022 Syllabus

Section 001
CRN: 13644
MW 3:00 — 4:15 PM
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 111
Hybrid Course

Dr. Timothy J. Freeman
The University of Hawaii at Hilo
Edith Kanaka‘ole Hall 212
office: 932-7479; cell: 345-5231

freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 1:00-1:50
and by appointment

PHIL 343 Comparative Philosophy (3)
A study of the mutual influences of Western and Eastern philosophical traditions and the potential each has to respond to the programs of the other. Pre: previous work in philosophy or instructor's consent.

The Joyous Science, Friedrich Nietzsche, Penguin Classics, 2018.
Thus Spoke Zarathustra, Friedrich Nietzsche, Oxford University Press, 2005.
Nietzsche and Other Buddhas, Jason M. Wirth, Indiana University Press, 2019.

This is a course in comparative philosophy, focusing on examining the resonances and contrasts between the philosophy of Friedrich Nietzsche and Zen. Nietzsche was a 19th century German thinker who had a pervasive influence in 20th century philosophy influencing the development of Existentialism and more recently what has often been referred to as post-structuralist or postmodern philosophy. His critique of the traditional conceptions of truth and morality, along with such signature Nietzschean conceptions as the Death of God, the Overhuman, the Will to Power, and the Eternal Recurrence, have challenged some of the most fundamental assumptions of Western philosophy. This critique of the foundations of Western thought has drawn comparisons to Asian philosophies, particularly Daoism and Zen. Zen is a form of Buddhism that arose in China bringing together the teachings of Mahayana Buddhism from India and the Classical Chinese philosophy of Daoism. Nietzsche's call for a revaluation of values involved overcoming the traditional values inherited from Plato and the Christian tradition emphasizing the longing for another world and a sharp separation between the soul and body, and between the human and the natural world. As this revaluation of values involved remaining loyal to the earth, Nietzsche's thought has been regarded as important for environmental philosophy. In this course, we will explore the resonances between Nietzsche's thought and Zen, and consider the relevance of both Nietzsche's philosophy and Zen in this time of environmental crisis and climate change.

[Philosophy courses for GE purposes]: (As with all Philosophy courses) Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
●respond clearly, logically and critically to examination questions and discussion questions about some important philosophical issues relevant to the course;
●read, comprehend, and discuss philosophical texts relevant to the course;
●compose effective written materials that assimilate, synthesize and reflect on course information;
●identify and describe in writing and in class discussion some important aspects of the cultural heritage and contributions of Western philosophy.

This class is designated as a Hybrid Course. According to the UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses this means:
"There will be a mix of face-to-face and online instruction. The instructor determines when students will attend face-to-face (in the classroom, laboratory, and/or field experience). Students are expected to attend face-to-face sessions as required by the Instructor."

The course will start off online and will have face-to-face instruction later in the semester as conditions permit.

Synchronous Zoom sessions will include lectures, film clips, PowerPoint presentations, and class discussions.

UH Hilo Designation of Types of Courses

For online instruction students will be expected to tune in to the Zoom sessions on time with cameras on and be ready to participate in class discussions

For face-to-face instruction students will be expected to come to class on time and be ready to participate in class discussions.
* Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class.
* No consumption of food is allowed during the class period.

Attendance and Participation (10%):
Philosophy comes alive and most interesting through discussion, through engaging with each other about questions raised in the texts. Beginning the third week of the course there will be a weekly symposium in which we discuss the readings for the week. Please attend these discussions with your name visible when you log on to Zoom and your video cameras on.

Essay assignments (30% each)
Each student must complete 3 of 4 short essay assignments (3-4 pages each).


Grading will be determined according to the following scale:
A 95-100 Excellent
A - 90-94
B + 87-89
B 84-86 Good
B - 80-83
C + 77-79
C 74-76 Satisfactory
C - 70-73 Poor
D 60-70 Failure
F below 60

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The final exam is the Final Paper due by the of the exam period.

Course Evaluation

**Schedule is subject to revision**