1. Introduction to Philosophy: Chinese and Western T,Th 9:30-10:20 MG07 MG07

2. InformationInformation Professor Chad Hansen Chansen+at-sign+hku.hk Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 and by appointment MB307 http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch Click “Courses” select this course or type in http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro Professor Chad Hansen Chansen+at-sign+hku.hk Office Hrs. T,Th 11:30-12:30 and by appointment MB307 http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch Click “Courses” select this course or type in http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro http://www.hku.hk/philodep/courses/cwintro

3. Course Objectives Basic introduction to philosophyBasic introduction to philosophy –Norms of philosophical discourse –Using comparative approach –Chinese and western Sample philosophical stylesSample philosophical styles –Range and variety of philosophical thinking –Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism, existentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatism Basic introduction to philosophyBasic introduction to philosophy –Norms of philosophical discourse –Using comparative approach –Chinese and western Sample philosophical stylesSample philosophical styles –Range and variety of philosophical thinking –Greek rationalism, Confucianism, Daoism, existentialism, Zen Buddhism, & pragmatism

4. Purpose Of Philosophy Discipline, mental trainingDiscipline, mental training –Intensive education Open mindedness, broadeningOpen mindedness, broadening –Extensive education Insight, wisdom, good judgmentInsight, wisdom, good judgment Discipline, mental trainingDiscipline, mental training –Intensive education Open mindedness, broadeningOpen mindedness, broadening –Extensive education Insight, wisdom, good judgmentInsight, wisdom, good judgment

5. Course Style “ Discussion lecture” questions anytime“ Discussion lecture” questions anytime –Do fellow students a favor by asking –Concepts, figures, theories, technical terms Even if already coveredEven if already covered Review and discussion beginning each periodReview and discussion beginning each period –Also at end if we finish “ Discussion lecture” questions anytime“ Discussion lecture” questions anytime –Do fellow students a favor by asking –Concepts, figures, theories, technical terms Even if already coveredEven if already covered Review and discussion beginning each periodReview and discussion beginning each period –Also at end if we finish

6. Text: Manuscript Cheap! HK$40 eachCheap! HK$40 each –Available in philosophy dept Large chunks of original (in translation)Large chunks of original (in translation) –Some originals in bookstore: Nietzsche –Welcome to buy Chinese versions Web page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/chWeb page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch Cheap! HK$40 eachCheap! HK$40 each –Available in philosophy dept Large chunks of original (in translation)Large chunks of original (in translation) –Some originals in bookstore: Nietzsche –Welcome to buy Chinese versions Web page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/chWeb page link on http://www.hku.hk/philodep/ch

7. Lecture Schedule Standard time requirementStandard time requirement –24 lectures 9 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-69 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-6 –Tutor time requirements –More discussion or smaller class Standard time requirementStandard time requirement –24 lectures 9 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-69 tutorials 10-11 or 4 tutorials 5-6 –Tutor time requirements –More discussion or smaller class

8. MechanicsMechanics Grade: 100% courseworkGrade: 100% coursework Coursework: 1/3 eachCoursework: 1/3 each –8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday Announce on Thursday; from readingAnnounce on Thursday; from reading –Purpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate arguments –Mid-term take-home exercise –Final in-class test Participation in discussionParticipation in discussion –Tips borderline (±2%) Grade: 100% courseworkGrade: 100% coursework Coursework: 1/3 eachCoursework: 1/3 each –8 quiz/arguments: usually on Tuesday Announce on Thursday; from readingAnnounce on Thursday; from reading –Purpose: learn to spot, extract & formulate arguments –Mid-term take-home exercise –Final in-class test Participation in discussionParticipation in discussion –Tips borderline (±2%)

9. Quiz Grading Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1 –4 = got the argument –5 = Got it plus! Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc.Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc. –3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t get the argument –2 = not enough evidence of the reading –1 = signed your name Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1Each argument essay graded from 5 to 1 –4 = got the argument –5 = Got it plus! Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc.Formulation precise, counter arguments, proved premises, expanded, objections answered etc. –3 = shows evidence of the reading but didn’t get the argument –2 = not enough evidence of the reading –1 = signed your name

10. Coursework Grade Quiz score translationQuiz score translation –Select top 6 scores –24 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 each Class test: questions announced at least a week before the end of classClass test: questions announced at least a week before the end of class –Write on 2 of 4 selected on date of exam Quiz score translationQuiz score translation –Select top 6 scores –24 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 each Class test: questions announced at least a week before the end of classClass test: questions announced at least a week before the end of class –Write on 2 of 4 selected on date of exam

11. Lateness Penalties Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar day lateQuizzes: ¼ point per calendar day late Examination: 2% per calendar day lateExamination: 2% per calendar day late –Up to 10% waived if you get an A Quizzes: ¼ point per calendar day lateQuizzes: ¼ point per calendar day late Examination: 2% per calendar day lateExamination: 2% per calendar day late –Up to 10% waived if you get an A

12. QuestionsQuestions On Mechanics?

13. Philosophy: Four Branches Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality)Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality) Epistemology (theory of knowledge)Epistemology (theory of knowledge) Logic (theory of inference, semantics)Logic (theory of inference, semantics) Ethics (value theory)Ethics (value theory) Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality)Metaphysics (ontology, theory of reality) Epistemology (theory of knowledge)Epistemology (theory of knowledge) Logic (theory of inference, semantics)Logic (theory of inference, semantics) Ethics (value theory)Ethics (value theory)

14. MetaphysicsMetaphysics Idealism: reality is nothing but ideasIdealism: reality is nothing but ideas –All reality is mental projection Materialism: reality is matterMaterialism: reality is matter –Ideas are not real—imagination or material (brain) Dualism: both are real and distinct kinds of realityDualism: both are real and distinct kinds of reality –Other two are forms of monism –Pure (Buddhist) monism Idealism: reality is nothing but ideasIdealism: reality is nothing but ideas –All reality is mental projection Materialism: reality is matterMaterialism: reality is matter –Ideas are not real—imagination or material (brain) Dualism: both are real and distinct kinds of realityDualism: both are real and distinct kinds of reality –Other two are forms of monism –Pure (Buddhist) monism

15. EpistemologyEpistemology Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic)Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic) Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science)Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science) Skepticism: we don’t really know anythingSkepticism: we don’t really know anything Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how)Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how) Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic)Rationalism: knowledge comes from reason (logic) Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science)Empiricism: knowledge comes from experience (science) Skepticism: we don’t really know anythingSkepticism: we don’t really know anything Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how)Pragmatism: knowledge comes from practice (knowing how)

16. Logic and Semantics Rain check on logic (good argument forms)Rain check on logic (good argument forms) Semantics: what language conveysSemantics: what language conveys –How to interpret –E.G. How to interpret Confucius, Laozi Rain check on logic (good argument forms)Rain check on logic (good argument forms) Semantics: what language conveysSemantics: what language conveys –How to interpret –E.G. How to interpret Confucius, Laozi

17. EthicsEthics 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 Chinese and western thought)Much more later (common area of 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 Chinese and western thought)Much more later (common area of Chinese and western thought)

18. QuestionsQuestions 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