Mind and World in Contemporary Japanese Philosophy
Module title | Mind and World in Contemporary Japanese Philosophy |
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Module code | PHL2126 |
Academic year | 2024/5 |
Credits | 15 |
Module staff | Dr Joel Krueger (Convenor) |
Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
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Duration: Weeks | 11 |
Number students taking module (anticipated) | 20 |
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Module description
TetsurÃ?� 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 DÃ?�gen 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. You will develop the skills needed to read, understand, and critically engage with a philosophical text. You will also gain familiarity with the practice of cross-cultural comparative philosophy, an understanding of challenges to doing this kind of philosophy, and an appreciation for how abstract philosophical debates can have concrete relevance to everyday life.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate foundational understanding of the main arguments of the discussed philosophical text
- 2. Evaluate the validity of the arguments of the discussed philosophical text
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Read and gain an understanding of original philosophical texts
- 4. Discuss philosophical arguments from source texts
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Analyse and evaluate difficult texts
- 6. Communicate independent assessments of complex arguments in speaking and writing
- 7. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- What is Comparative Philosophy? Who is Tetsuro Watsuji?
- Phenomenology as Comparative Philosophy
- Part 1: Introductory Essays
- Part 2: The Fundamental Structure of Human Existence
- Part 2: The Fundamental Structure of Human Existence; Part 3: The Spatio-Temporal Structure of a Human Being
- Part 3: The Spatio-Temporal Structure of a Human Being
- Application 1: Watsuji and Environmental Ethics
- Application 2: Watsuji and Care Ethics
- Application 3: Watsuji and Psychopathology
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
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22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
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Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 22 | Weekly 2-hour lectures / seminars or 1 hour lecture + 1 hour seminar |
Guided Independent study | 44 | Weekly readings |
Guided Independent study | 5 | Preparation of Seminar Report |
Guided Independent study | 36 | Research and write essay |
Guided Independent study | 42 | Examination revision |
Formative assessment
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay plan | 300 Words | written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
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50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
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Essay | 50 | 1700 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
Examination | 50 | 1hr | 1-7 | Written feedback |
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0 | ||||
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0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
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Essay | Essay (1700 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Exam | Exam (1 hour) | 1-7 | August/September reassessment period |
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.
Additional readings will be provided on ELE
Credit value | 15 |
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Module ECTS | 7.5 |
Module pre-requisites | None |
Module co-requisites | None |
NQF level (module) | 5 |
Available as distance learning? | No |
Origin date | 11/03/2014 |
Last revision date | 08/03/2022 |