Introduction to Indian Philosophy

<p>In-person Course. Philosophy in India has a venerable history: analytically demanding and conceptually innovative; rigorous, daring, theoretically innovative and potentially transformative—its ongoing story involves some of the oldest traditions of thought in the world while somehow still remaining cutting edge: Is their consciousness in deep sleep? Do humans admit of distinctions of natural kinds (as some have maintained with caste or race)? Are absences a true part of the furniture of the world and can we <em>see </em>them? Are we nothing but bodies? Can it be possibly true that ultimately nothing exists? By exploring questions such as these, this course introduces students to some of the practices, concepts, and arguments necessary to take up further study in this exciting subject. No background knowledge is presupposed, though the virtues of curiosity and delight in puzzling out problems are invaluable. At the end of the course, students will also get to use a philosophy textbook prepared for premodern students in a premodern Indian Buddhist university. Students at the end of this course will gain access to concepts and practices that will enable them to pursue further work in this area or other relevant areas of contemporary philosophical debate.&#160;1 Credit. Session B: July 1 – August 2. Tuition: $5070.</p>