Introduction to Philosophy: Introduction to Philosophy: Chinese and WesternChinese and Western

Introduction to Philosophy: Introduction to Philosophy: Chinese and WesternChinese and Western

T,Th 9:30-10:20T,Th 9:30-10:20

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T,Th 9:30-10:20T,Th 9:30-10:20

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InformationInformationInformationInformation

Professor Chad HansenProfessor Chad HansenChansen+at-sign+hku.hk

Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 and by appointment MB307and by appointment MB307

http://www.hku.hk/philodep/chClick “Courses” select this course or type in Click “Courses” select this course or type in

http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro

Professor Chad HansenProfessor Chad HansenChansen+at-sign+hku.hk

Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 and by appointment MB307and by appointment MB307

http://www.hku.hk/philodep/chClick “Courses” select this course or type in Click “Courses” select this course or type in

http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro

Course ObjectivesCourse ObjectivesCourse ObjectivesCourse Objectives

• Basic introduction to philosophyBasic introduction to philosophy– Norms of philosophical discourseNorms of philosophical discourse– Using comparative approachUsing comparative approach– Chinese and westernChinese and western

• Sample philosophical stylesSample philosophical styles– Range and variety of philosophical thinkingRange and variety of philosophical thinking– Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism, Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism,

existentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatismexistentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatism

• Basic introduction to philosophyBasic introduction to philosophy– Norms of philosophical discourseNorms of philosophical discourse– Using comparative approachUsing comparative approach– Chinese and westernChinese and western

• Sample philosophical stylesSample philosophical styles– Range and variety of philosophical thinkingRange and variety of philosophical thinking– Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism, Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism,

existentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatismexistentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatism

Purpose Of PhilosophyPurpose Of PhilosophyPurpose Of PhilosophyPurpose Of Philosophy

• Discipline, mental trainingDiscipline, mental training– Intensive educationIntensive education

• Open mindedness, broadeningOpen mindedness, broadening– Extensive educationExtensive education

• Insight, wisdom, good judgmentInsight, wisdom, good judgment

• Discipline, mental trainingDiscipline, mental training– Intensive educationIntensive education

• Open mindedness, broadeningOpen mindedness, broadening– Extensive educationExtensive education

• Insight, wisdom, good judgmentInsight, wisdom, good judgment

Course StyleCourse StyleCourse StyleCourse Style

• ““Discussion lecture” questions anytimeDiscussion lecture” questions anytime– Do fellow students a favor by askingDo fellow students a favor by asking– Concepts, figures, theories, technical termsConcepts, figures, theories, technical terms

• Even if already coveredEven if already covered

• Review and discussion beginning each Review and discussion beginning each periodperiod

– Also at end if we finishAlso at end if we finish

• ““Discussion lecture” questions anytimeDiscussion lecture” questions anytime– Do fellow students a favor by askingDo fellow students a favor by asking– Concepts, figures, theories, technical termsConcepts, figures, theories, technical terms

• Even if already coveredEven if already covered

• Review and discussion beginning each Review and discussion beginning each periodperiod

– Also at end if we finishAlso at end if we finish

Text: ManuscriptText: ManuscriptText: ManuscriptText: Manuscript

• Cheap! HK$40 eachCheap! HK$40 each– Available in philosophy deptAvailable in philosophy dept

• Large chunks of original (in Large chunks of original (in translation)translation)

– Some originals in bookstore: NietzscheSome originals in bookstore: Nietzsche– Welcome to buy Chinese versionsWelcome to buy Chinese versions

• Web page link on Web page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/chhttp://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch

• Cheap! HK$40 eachCheap! HK$40 each– Available in philosophy deptAvailable in philosophy dept

• Large chunks of original (in Large chunks of original (in translation)translation)

– Some originals in bookstore: NietzscheSome originals in bookstore: Nietzsche– Welcome to buy Chinese versionsWelcome to buy Chinese versions

• Web page link on Web page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/chhttp://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch

Lecture ScheduleLecture ScheduleLecture ScheduleLecture Schedule

• Standard time requirementStandard time requirement– 24 lectures 24 lectures

• 9 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-69 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-6– Tutor time requirementsTutor time requirements

– More discussion or smaller classMore discussion or smaller class

• Standard time requirementStandard time requirement– 24 lectures 24 lectures

• 9 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-69 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-6– Tutor time requirementsTutor time requirements

– More discussion or smaller classMore discussion or smaller class

MechanicsMechanicsMechanicsMechanics

• Grade: 100% coursework Grade: 100% coursework

• Coursework: 1/3 eachCoursework: 1/3 each– 8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday

• Announce on Thursday; from readingAnnounce on Thursday; from reading– Purpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate argumentsPurpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate arguments

– Mid-term take-home exerciseMid-term take-home exercise– Final in-class testFinal in-class test

• Participation in discussionParticipation in discussion– Tips borderline (Tips borderline (±2%)±2%)

• Grade: 100% coursework Grade: 100% coursework

• Coursework: 1/3 eachCoursework: 1/3 each– 8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday

• Announce on Thursday; from readingAnnounce on Thursday; from reading– Purpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate argumentsPurpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate arguments

– Mid-term take-home exerciseMid-term take-home exercise– Final in-class testFinal in-class test

• Participation in discussionParticipation in discussion– Tips borderline (Tips borderline (±2%)±2%)

Quiz GradingQuiz GradingQuiz GradingQuiz Grading

• Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1– 4 = got the argument4 = got the argument– 5 = Got it plus!5 = Got it plus!

• Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc.premises, expanded, objections answered etc.

– 3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t 3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t get the argumentget the argument

– 2 = not enough evidence of the reading2 = not enough evidence of the reading– 1 = signed your name1 = signed your name

• Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1– 4 = got the argument4 = got the argument– 5 = Got it plus!5 = Got it plus!

• Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc.premises, expanded, objections answered etc.

– 3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t 3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t get the argumentget the argument

– 2 = not enough evidence of the reading2 = not enough evidence of the reading– 1 = signed your name1 = signed your name

Coursework GradeCoursework GradeCoursework GradeCoursework Grade

• Quiz score translationQuiz score translation– Select top 6 scoresSelect top 6 scores– 24 total points = 7024 total points = 70

• Scale up and down 80-30 (goes down faster)Scale up and down 80-30 (goes down faster)

• Mid-term take-home examinationMid-term take-home examination– 10 question, write on 8 one page each10 question, write on 8 one page each

• Class test: questions announced at least a Class test: questions announced at least a week before the end of classweek before the end of class

– Write on 2 of 4 selected on date of examWrite on 2 of 4 selected on date of exam

• Quiz score translationQuiz score translation– Select top 6 scoresSelect top 6 scores– 24 total points = 7024 total points = 70

• Scale up and down 80-30 (goes down faster)Scale up and down 80-30 (goes down faster)

• Mid-term take-home examinationMid-term take-home examination– 10 question, write on 8 one page each10 question, write on 8 one page each

• Class test: questions announced at least a Class test: questions announced at least a week before the end of classweek before the end of class

– Write on 2 of 4 selected on date of examWrite on 2 of 4 selected on date of exam

Lateness PenaltiesLateness PenaltiesLateness PenaltiesLateness Penalties

• Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar day lateday late

• Examination: 2% per calendar Examination: 2% per calendar day lateday late

– Up to 10% waived if you get an AUp to 10% waived if you get an A

• Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar day lateday late

• Examination: 2% per calendar Examination: 2% per calendar day lateday late

– Up to 10% waived if you get an AUp to 10% waived if you get an A

QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions

On Mechanics?On Mechanics?On Mechanics?On Mechanics?

Philosophy: Four BranchesPhilosophy: Four BranchesPhilosophy: Four BranchesPhilosophy: Four Branches

• Metaphysics (ontology, theory of Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality)reality)

• Epistemology (theory of Epistemology (theory of knowledge)knowledge)

• Logic (theory of inference, Logic (theory of inference, semantics)semantics)

• Ethics (value theory)Ethics (value theory)

• Metaphysics (ontology, theory of Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality)reality)

• Epistemology (theory of Epistemology (theory of knowledge)knowledge)

• Logic (theory of inference, Logic (theory of inference, semantics)semantics)

• Ethics (value theory)Ethics (value theory)

MetaphysicsMetaphysicsMetaphysicsMetaphysics

• Idealism: reality is nothing but ideasIdealism: reality is nothing but ideas– All reality is mental projectionAll reality is mental projection

• Materialism: reality Materialism: reality isis matter matter– Ideas are not real—imagination or material Ideas are not real—imagination or material

(brain)(brain)

• Dualism: both are real and distinct Dualism: both are real and distinct kindskinds of of realityreality

– Other two are forms of monismOther two are forms of monism– Pure (Buddhist) monismPure (Buddhist) monism

• Idealism: reality is nothing but ideasIdealism: reality is nothing but ideas– All reality is mental projectionAll reality is mental projection

• Materialism: reality Materialism: reality isis matter matter– Ideas are not real—imagination or material Ideas are not real—imagination or material

(brain)(brain)

• Dualism: both are real and distinct Dualism: both are real and distinct kindskinds of of realityreality

– Other two are forms of monismOther two are forms of monism– Pure (Buddhist) monismPure (Buddhist) monism

EpistemologyEpistemologyEpistemologyEpistemology

• Rationalism: knowledge comes from Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic)reason (logic)

• Empiricism: knowledge comes from Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science)experience (science)

• Skepticism: we don’t really know Skepticism: we don’t really know anythinganything

• Pragmatism: knowledge comes from Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how)practice (knowing how)

• Rationalism: knowledge comes from Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic)reason (logic)

• Empiricism: knowledge comes from Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science)experience (science)

• Skepticism: we don’t really know Skepticism: we don’t really know anythinganything

• Pragmatism: knowledge comes from Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how)practice (knowing how)

Logic and SemanticsLogic and SemanticsLogic and SemanticsLogic and Semantics

• Rain check on logic (good Rain check on logic (good argument forms)argument forms)

• Semantics: what language Semantics: what language conveysconveys

– How to interpretHow to interpret

– E.G. How to interpret Confucius, E.G. How to interpret Confucius, LaoziLaozi

• Rain check on logic (good Rain check on logic (good argument forms)argument forms)

• Semantics: what language Semantics: what language conveysconveys

– How to interpretHow to interpret

– E.G. How to interpret Confucius, E.G. How to interpret Confucius, LaoziLaozi

EthicsEthicsEthicsEthics

• Theory of what we should doTheory of what we should do

• What is good and badWhat is good and bad

• Also political theory (justice)Also political theory (justice)

• Aesthetics (art)Aesthetics (art)

• Much more later (common area of Much more later (common area of Chinese and western thought)Chinese and western thought)

• Theory of what we should doTheory of what we should do

• What is good and badWhat is good and bad

• Also political theory (justice)Also political theory (justice)

• Aesthetics (art)Aesthetics (art)

• Much more later (common area of Much more later (common area of Chinese and western thought)Chinese and western thought)

QuestionsQuestionsQuestionsQuestions

• NameName

• Self Description (bring in picture)Self Description (bring in picture)

• From?From?

• Other philosophy?Other philosophy?

• Why this course?Why this course?

• InterestsInterests

• SuggestionsSuggestions

• NameName

• Self Description (bring in picture)Self Description (bring in picture)

• From?From?

• Other philosophy?Other philosophy?

• Why this course?Why this course?

• InterestsInterests

• SuggestionsSuggestions