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Philosophical Readings 5

Module description

Tetsuro Watsuji (1889-1960) is one of the most important and original Japanese philosophers of the twentieth century. His voluminous output spanned literature, the arts, philosophy, cultural theory, sociology, and anthropology, and encompassed Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Western traditions. Watsuji wrote on many Western philosophers, from Plato, Aristotle, and Descartes to Hegel, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, and Heidegger. And he elevated the work of the thirteenth century Zen Buddhist philosopher Dogen from near-total obscurity to the place he now enjoys as Japan’s first great philosopher. This module is a careful reading of Watsuji’s most influential book, Rinrigaku (Ethics). We will consider the critique of Western individualistic ethics Watsuji develops and explore the alternative model he proposes, one based on the rich network of interconnections and social relationships that make us human. Along the way, we will consider Watsuji’s discussion of topics like the nature of consciousness, self, embodiment, time, space, freedom, and Buddhist approaches to “nothingness”. We will also consider what it means to engage in cross-cultural comparative philosophy. No prior coursework or disciplinary training is necessary for taking this module.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to familiarize students with one of the key texts in twentieth century Japanese philosophy, and to see how this text can inform our thinking about a range of important philosophical topics.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Gain familiarity with the ideas, arguments, and philosophical methods of a core text in current philosophical debates about the nature of mind, self, and the social world

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 2. Gain valuable experience in the interpretation of a philosophical text
• 3. Gain valuable experience in the understanding and deployment of arguments

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 4. Gain competence in getting to the heart of a problem and using both historical and logical forms of argument coherently and cogently (which is of value in any professional undertaking)

Syllabus plan

In this course we will read, analyze, and discuss Watsuji’s Rinrigaku (Ethics), and consider core themes of this text as well as their ongoing contribution to current debates in various areas of philosophy.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Watsuji, Tetsuro (1996). Watsuji Tetsuro’s Rinrigaku: Ethics in Japan. Trans. S. Yamamoto & R. E. Carter. SUNY Press.

Carter, Robert E. (2013). The Kyoto School: An Introduction. SUNY Press.

Key words search

Asian Philosophy; Ethics; Self; Buddhism