how would you teach a non-western philosophy course

by Ms. Cayla Johnston DDS 6 min read

In the U.S. and Canada, most academic philosophers are not trained in any non-Western philosophy (given that most graduate departments do not offer courses in it), and only a small number of hires each year are for instructors with areas of specialization or areas of competence in any area of non-Western philosophy. 1 Of course, some departments without ‘official’ representation (instructors trained in or hired to teach in non-Western areas) offer courses in non-Western traditions, and some instructors incorporate non-Western philosophy into other courses.

Full Answer

What is the difference between Western and non Western philosophy?

Non-Western Philosophies. Western philosophy grew from the root of classical Greek philosophy through the Hellenistic and Roman periods before it reached medieval Europe and evolved into the modern philosophy we know today. However, while we spend a lot of time with modern Western philosophy here, it is just one branch of the greater tree...

Where did Western philosophy come from?

Western philosophy grew from the root of classical Greek philosophy through the Hellenistic and Roman periods before it reached medieval Europe and evolved into the modern philosophy we know today.

What are the best books on Western philosophy?

A History of Western Philosophy is commonly considered the one of the most comprehensive books on Western Philosophy. It dives into the teachings of some of the most famous philosophers in history, including Aristotle, Plato, and Kant.

What are the best ways to learn philosophy?

Podcasts can be a great way learn philosophy because some of the concepts can be more easily understood when someone explains it to you, instead of reading it about it. It is also extremely interesting to hear experts in the field muse about potential ideas or changes in traditional philosophical thinking.

What is Western philosophy of education?

Generally, Western philosophy of education comprises two schools, which are traditional and modern. It has its roots in Athens, Rome and Judeo-Christianity, whereas Eastern philosophy is derived from Islam, Confucianism, Taoism and Mahayana Buddhism.

What are the major disciplines of Western philosophy?

The discipline of philosophy is generally divided into different branches: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Logic, Anthropology and Aesthetics. The issues arising out of these branches in dealing with the question of reality are spelt out in this unit.

Why do we study Western philosophy?

Many Western philosophers are responsible for the intellectual development of mathematics, science, politics and even art. Western philosophers attempt to understand and examine a wide spectrum of issues, such as the universe, human social responsibilities, consciousness or even religion.

How would you describe African philosophy?

Like Western philosophy, African philosophy contemplates the perceptions of time, personhood, space and other subjects. Africana philosophy can be formally defined as a critical thinking by Africans and people of African descent on their experiences of reality.

What is the difference between the Western and Eastern philosophy?

Western philosophy deals with Individualism while Eastern Philosophy is related to Collectivism. Both philosophies center on virtues. Eastern philosophy takes more of a spiritual approach while Western philosophy is more hands-on.

What is the characteristics of Western philosophy?

The modern western philosophy has not only critical about orthodox religion but also came with ideals of secularism, humanism, scientific temperament, progress and development. Skepticism, rationality, individualism and scientific methods are influenced the human conception in understanding the world.

What is the most significant contribution of Western philosophy?

1. Socratic Technique. Socrates' most important contribution to Western philosophy was his technique for arguing a point, known as the Socratic technique, which he applied to many things such as truth and justice.

Why do we need to study different philosophers?

The study of philosophy helps us to enhance our ability to solve problems, our communication skills, our persuasive powers, and our writing skills. Below is a description of how philosophy helps us develop these various important skills.

What is the primary source of knowledge in Western philosophy?

In “The Sources of Knowledge,” Robert Audi distinguishes what he calls the “four standard basic sources” by which we acquire knowledge or justified belief: perception, memory, consciousness, and reason. With the exception of memory, he distinguishes each of the above as a basic source of knowledge.

What is the difference between African philosophy and Western philosophy?

A feature of African philosophy that makes it quite different from its Western counterpart right from its beginning is that philosophy was not conceived and did not develop as a separate discipline in isolation from life, but was embodied in particular forms of practice and beliefs.

What is the significance of African philosophy in education?

Simply put, an African philosophy of education is a way of asking questions about education in Africa. It allows education students to search for meanings that relate to their chosen field. An African philosophy of education offers a discourse to address the continent's many problems.

What is the importance of African philosophy?

First, African philosophy queries the habitual universality claims of Western philosophy; second, African philosophy offers insights into dimensions of human experience made uniquely available through African metaphysical beliefs and normative commitments.

Featured Books

Native American philosophy discussed at length from a wide range of topics including: colonialism, the phenomenology of the vision quest, the continuity of Native values, land and the integrity of person, the role of cognitive science in supporting Native narrative traditions, language in Indian life, landscape and other-than-human persons, the teaching of Native American philosophy and the value of various research methods..

Philosophy Best Bets

Covers a wide range of subjects, including important philosophers, concepts, and arguments.

Islamic Philosophy

"The richness of the contributions, ranging from readily accessible surveys (e.g., Isma'ilis) to in-depth treatments of seminal thinkers (e.g., Avicenna) is staggering--and remarkably even.

Asian Philosophy

Signed entries with bibliographies divided into "References" and "Further Reading". Includes a glossary.

Intro to Philosophy

Where do you start if you want to learn about philosophy but don’t have any background in it at all? In this series of lectures by John Sanders at the Rochester Institute of Technology, all the most fundamental questions you might have about philosophy are answered.

Philosophical Problems

Can machines think? Is it moral to eat meat? These audio lectures are available for free from La Trobe University and can be found on iTunes. The course also includes links to online handouts to help you follow along and find more information on the topics covered in class.

History of Philosophy

For those of you who want less of an introduction into how to do philosophy and more of an introduction to the great ideas of philosophy’s most prominent names, this history of philosophy series is for you.

Introduction to Philosophy

In this class, taught by the somewhat controversial Daniel Bonevac at The University of Texas at Austin, a wide variety of topics are introduced in an easily understood style. There is a syllabus with access to the slides used in the lectures and a few hints on how to read philosophy books at home for maximum understanding.

The History of Ancient Philosophy

Name 10 philosophers off the top of your head.

Indian Philosophy

Most American universities focus primarily on western philosophy in their classes. While this is often an understandable choice, it can leave graduates with a less than thorough understanding of the philosophy of more than half the world.

Nietzsche

Ah, Nietzsche, so famous and yet so misunderstood. While some of his better-known ideas are well explained elsewhere, most people could use a more compressive introduction to his thought when they decide to investigate his ideas.

Why can't western philosophy teach us so much?

About time: why western philosophy can only teach us so much. By gaining greater knowledge of how others think, we can become less certain of the knowledge we think we have, which is always the first step to greater understanding. By Julian Baggini.

Who proposed that departments of philosophy refuse to teach anything from non-western traditions?

To end this pretence, Jay L Garfield and Bryan W Van Norden propose that those departments of philosophy that refuse to teach anything from non-western traditions at least have the decency to call themselves departments of western philosophy.

Why do we think the beginning and the end are the same?

Many schools of thought believe that the beginning and the end are and have always been the same because time is essentially cyclical. This is the most intuitively plausible way of thinking about eternity.

What is East Asian philosophy?

East Asian philosophy is deeply rooted in the cycle of the seasons, part of a larger cycle of existence . This is particularly evident in Taoism, and is vividly illustrated by the surprising cheerfulness of the 4th century BC Taoist philosopher Zhuangzi when everyone thought he should have been mourning for his wife.

Which Indian philosopher wrote that all the orthodox systems accept the view of the great world rhythm?

The Indian philosopher and statesman Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan wrote: “All the [orthodox] systems accept the view of the great world rhythm.

Who said "It is only too easy for a writer to be local without being universal"?

There seems to be a sense in which even the universalist aspiration has to be rooted in something more particular. TS Eliot is supposed to have said: “Although it is only too easy for a writer to be local without being universal, I doubt whether a poet or novelist can be universal without being local, too.”.

Is the past the future?

All cultures have a sense of past, present and future, but for much of human history this has been underpinned by a more fundamental sense of time as cyclical. The past is also the future, the future is also the past, the beginning also the end.

What is the history of Western philosophy?

A History of Western Philosophy is commonly considered the one of the most comprehensive books on Western Philosophy. It dives into the teachings of some of the most famous philosophers in history, including Aristotle, Plato, and Kant. Even though the book was published in 1945, it has stood the test of time by explaining ...

How long is a wireless philosophy video?

Most videos are under ten minutes and are interesting and enjoyable. Wireless Philosophy is another YouTube channel focused on philosophy. It uses animated videos and partners with professors from renowned learning centers like Yale and MIT to explain philosophical concepts.

What is the story of philosophy?

The Story of Philosophy also explores the theories and teachings of the greatest philosophers of all time. It works well as an overview for those who are extremely new to philosophy. It is written in a way that makes philosophy engaging.

What is Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy?

The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy is the ultimate resource for all things philosophy. Work from scholars around the world is combined into one resource and updated periodically so you know that you are always reading the latest information in the field of philosophy.

How long are Philosophy Tube videos?

They are designed to be accessible, entertaining, and interesting. Most videos are under 10 minutes. The approach is slightly different than Philosophy Tube because each video features a different person, which may make them more or less interesting depending on who is speaking or presenting.

Who created the philosophy tube?

Philosophy Tube was created by Olly, an individual who graduated from a British university and majored in Philosophy. He created the channel as a way to share ideas and allow others to learn philosophy without paying the outrageous tuition prices associated with higher education.

How long is a highbrow course?

Highbrow offers 10-day courses delivered in easy-to-digest e-mails. Their philosophy courses range from basic philosophical ideas to the history of those who are considered the fathers of modern psychology. The courses also include specific topics like Women in philosophy or Introduction to utilitarianism.

image