Course: Indian Philosophy

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Course title Indian Philosophy
Course code KRE/INFI
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Master
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Fárek Martin, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
Course content
Introduction - specific characteristics of South Asian thought, important problems and themes. Antient thought - vedic ritual and beginnings of theoretical thinking (lingusitics and geometry) Development of linguistics (vjakarana) and logic (nyaya). Vedanta - beginnings, themes, overview. Vedanta - advaita, visistadvaita,dvaitadvaita, acintyabhedabheda. Yoga nad other darsanas. Non-orhtodox schools - beginnings of Buddhist and Jaina thought. Buddhist schools before the emergence of Mahayana I. Buddhist schools before the emergence of Mahayana II. Beginnings and development of Mahayana schools. Indian and Western philosophy.

Learning activities and teaching methods
Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Work with text (with textbook, with book), Methods of individual activities, Skills training
Learning outcomes
The goal of this course is to introduce students into themes and modes of questioning that were developed by thinkers of India since the dawn of history. Western philosphy has begun to understand different ways of theoretical thinking after the Second World War. Our Western discipline has overcome some of the obstacles in understanding and prejudices towards South Asian thought. Introduction into a very different mode of thinking will be accompanied by deeper insight into the fundaments and limits of our own philosophical tradition.
Students will aquire knowledge about problems, that were solved by thinkers of Indian subcontinent. Basic understanding of these themes will also enable students to see mutual dependency and connections between different schools of thougt (six darsanas, Buddhist and other schools). Important competence that will be developed during the course is the ability to accept radical difference of other modes of thinking and striving to understand their otherness.
Prerequisites
unspecified

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination, Discussion

Conditions for successful passing of exam: attandance and active participation on semminars, relular week to week home reading, knowledge and orientation in the themes of the semminar and knowledge of the compulsory literature.
Recommended literature
  • BRONKHORST, Johannes (ed.). Mimamsa and Vedanta. Interaction and Continuity. New Delhi, 2007.
  • GANERI, Jonardon (ed.). Indian Logic. A reader. Richmond, 2001.
  • HALBFASS, Wilhelm. India and Europe. An Essay in Understanding. Albany, 1998.
  • POTTER, Karl (ed.). Encyclopedia of Indian Philosophies, Vol. 11. Advaita Vedanta 800-1200 A.D.. New Delhi, 2006.
  • STAAL, Frits. Ritual and Mantras. Rules without Meaning. New Delhi.
  • WILLIAMS, Paul with TRIBE, Anthony. Buddhist Thought. London, 2000.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Religious Studies (2013) Category: Philosophy, theology 1 Recommended year of study:1, Recommended semester: Winter
Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Philosophy Study plan (Version): Philosophy (2013) Category: Philosophy, theology 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter