Mary I. BOCKOVER Mary I. BOCKOVER Lecturer:Lecturer:

Philosophies of China Philosophies of China Comparative PhilosophyComparative Philosophy

Asian PhilosophyAsian Philosophy

““I am applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach in the Czech Republic I am applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award to teach in the Czech Republic for the academic year of 2004-2005 because as a teacher of comparative for the academic year of 2004-2005 because as a teacher of comparative philosophy, I know of no better way to learn about cultural difference than to philosophy, I know of no better way to learn about cultural difference than to live and teach in another country.”live and teach in another country.”

““My love of learning is central to my pedagogy: learning should My love of learning is central to my pedagogy: learning should not just be about concepts; it requires them to be brought to the not just be about concepts; it requires them to be brought to the level of lived experience. For philosophical purposes, this means level of lived experience. For philosophical purposes, this means that conceptual analysis is done for the sake of self-improvement that conceptual analysis is done for the sake of self-improvement and for making the world a better place. ”and for making the world a better place. ”

““Education in this larger sense, where understanding carries with it a Education in this larger sense, where understanding carries with it a commitment to human flourishing, will be vital if we are to get along on a commitment to human flourishing, will be vital if we are to get along on a global level. I do not believe our differences have to segregate and prejudice global level. I do not believe our differences have to segregate and prejudice us; to the contrary, difference is what we learn us; to the contrary, difference is what we learn aboutabout as well as as well as fromfrom, and so it , and so it is precisely what gives us more to offer as our education proceeds.” is precisely what gives us more to offer as our education proceeds.”

“…“…the valued personal relationships that will develop from this exchange first hand the valued personal relationships that will develop from this exchange first hand are precisely what will allow our differences to be realized and appreciated, in a are precisely what will allow our differences to be realized and appreciated, in a

way that leads to this greater sense of shared community.”way that leads to this greater sense of shared community.”

“…“…I have been fascinated I have been fascinated with the history of what is with the history of what is now the Czech Republic, now the Czech Republic, especially as an American especially as an American who is well aware that our who is well aware that our form of democracy is not the form of democracy is not the only one.” only one.”

““I think that the greatest challenge for me besides not knowing the language I think that the greatest challenge for me besides not knowing the language will be finding meaningful examples that will bring the ideas to life for Czech will be finding meaningful examples that will bring the ideas to life for Czech students. I do not pretend to have any obvious solutions to this.”students. I do not pretend to have any obvious solutions to this.”

Some ChallengesSome Challenges

Narrow view of Comparative PhilosophyNarrow view of Comparative Philosophy Lack of resource material and booksLack of resource material and books Very different approach to higher educationVery different approach to higher education Difficulties with bureaucracy and theftDifficulties with bureaucracy and theft

Some Rewarding Experiences Some Rewarding Experiences

Working with the Fulbright Commission in PragueWorking with the Fulbright Commission in Prague Working with the Institute of East Asian Studies at Charles UniversityWorking with the Institute of East Asian Studies at Charles University Working with the Department of Philosophy & Religion at Charles UniversityWorking with the Department of Philosophy & Religion at Charles University Working with some thoughtful and kind-hearted students in both institutesWorking with some thoughtful and kind-hearted students in both institutes Guest lecturing at University of Pardubice (Dept. of Philosophy & Religion)Guest lecturing at University of Pardubice (Dept. of Philosophy & Religion) Making Czech friends, some who have returned to the Czech Republic after 1989Making Czech friends, some who have returned to the Czech Republic after 1989 Having my family also actively involved in Czech lifeHaving my family also actively involved in Czech life Exploring Prague and the Czech Republic in generalExploring Prague and the Czech Republic in general Research, writing, and publishingResearch, writing, and publishing First PowerPoint presentations createdFirst PowerPoint presentations created Website developmentWebsite development

The EndThe End