PHL 485 Comparative Philosophy: The East and the West
Instructor: John Z. Ding
Office: 1-328
Phone: (909) 869-4660 Fax: (909) 869-4434
E-mail: zding@csupomona.edu Website: www.csupomona.edu/~zding
Office Hours:
Tuesday:
10:55am—11:55am
Wednesday:
3:30pm—6:00pm
Thursday:
11:25am—12:55pm
I. Description
A general comparative study of Eastern philosophy and Western philosophy. The study will include metaphysics, epistemology,
methodology, human life, religious beliefs and Socio-political values and ideals.
This course is designed equally for philosophy students and for students from other disciplines with a strong interest in
multicultural studies such as world history world religion, international politics international business, international agriculture,
foreign languages, ethnic and women's studies, social sciences, communication and behavioral sciences. No specific background in
Eastern philosophy would be necessary.
II. Expected Outcomes
This course provides a coherent curriculum of course work in philosophy that will prepare students for graduate work, professional
work in human services area and personal enhancement. The general purpose of this course is to foster a better understanding of the
philosophic issues in world culture, international affairs and interdisciplinary studies.
The proposed course emphasizes the following:
 Multicultural multiethnic and international aspects of higher education;
 Dialogue and interaction between the Eastern and the Western value systems;
 An academic understanding and examination in a broadly based interdisciplinary background.
 Certain sociopolitical ideological religious moral and economic practical issues in different traditions.
III. Text and Readings
This course will use basic history of religions and Philosophy texts supplemented with original scripture, literature, and modern works
written by leading thinker's from these traditions. At the appropriate time, the instructor will decide which of the current publications
provide the best analyses of the problems. The following are publications that are possible texts and readings for the teaching.
Text:
Blocker, H. Gene, World Philosophy: an East-West Comparative Introduction to Philosophy, Upper Saddle River, N. J. Prentice Hall,
1999
Optional Readings:
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Benesch, Walter, An Introduction To Comparative Philosophy: A Travel Guide to Philosophical Space,
Palgrave Macmillan, 2001
Scharfstein, B, A Comparative History of World Philosophy, State University of New York Press, 1998
William Theodore De Bary, Sources of Chinese Tradition, Columbia University Press; 2nd ed., 2004
Wm. Theodore de Bare, Sources of Indian Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2004
Wm. Theodore de Bare, Sources of Japanese Tradition, Columbia University Press, 2006
Fung, Yu-lan, A Short History of Chinese Philosophy, New York, The Macmillan Company, 1997
Flew, Antonny, An Introduction to Western Philosophy, Indianapolis, The Bobbs-Merrill Company, INC.
1971
IV. Course Outline
This course will present a critical inquire into several of the more central concepts and problems specific and common to most, if
not all, of Eastern and Western religious thoughts, traditions and philosophies. We will cover Indian, Chinese and Western
philosophic thoughts including a general overview of ontology, epistemology, methodology, and moral, social and political
philosophy. We will focus on:
 A comparative study of the relationship between human being and divine being, human being and natural being, human being
and human being, and human being and his or her mind—a study of the concepts of the supernatural being, the natural being,
the human being, the world and the meaning of life;
 A comparative study of Eastern and Western beliefs, values and ideals;
 A comparative study of Eastern and Western religious practices;
 A comparative study of spirituality and thought patterns.
V. Instructional Methods
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Students familiarize themselves with assigned reading materials.
Instructor provides additional information in lectures.
Instructor introduces particular topics, identifies major issues of significance or points of contention, and indicates the focus
of class discussion.
Students refine their understanding of selected issues through additional research and the preparation of class, presentations
or essays and research papers.
VI. Course Schedule
Introduction
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Comparative Metaphysics
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Comparative Epistemology
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Group discussion1
Comparative Logic and Language
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Comparative Aesthetics
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Films
Group discussion2
Comparative Ethics
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Comparative Social Political Philosophy
Lecture
Speech & Class Discussion
Speech & Class Discussion
Conclusion
Group discussion3
Ch. 1 & Handouts
9/24
9/29
Ch. 4 & Handouts
10/01
10/06
Ch. 3 & Handouts
10/13
10/15
10/20
Ch. 2 & Handouts
10/22
10/27
Handouts
10/29
11/03
11/05
11/10
Ch. 5 & Handouts
11/12
11/17
Ch. 6 & Handouts
Handouts
11/19
11/24
12/01
12/03
12/03
VII. Evaluation of Outcomes
Your grade will be based on the following factors, weighted on percentage:
 One take-home essay (two given questions) or term paper: a. good understanding; b. good reasoning, analyses or criticism; c. clear
and logical writing; d. 2-3 double space typing pages for each essay question; e. 6-7 double space typing pages for term paper;
f. specific topic for term paper. 30%
 Speech: a. specific topic; b. good preparation; c. good understanding; d. good thinking; e. good response. 30%
 10 reading reports: a. good understanding; b. clear and logical writing; c. around 2 double space typing pages for each. 30%
 Class and Group Discussions: a. good attendance & participation; b. every student must be the leader once in group discussions;
c. 3% will be deducted from 10% for 3 unexcused absences, 6% for 4 unexcused absences, 10% for 5 or more unexcused
absences, and a grade of F will be given if you miss 50% of class (I will check the attendance at the end of each class meeting,
and determine whether an absence is excusable or inexcusable). 10%
Important Notes: 1) the policies on course withdrawal, cheating and plagiarism can be found in Cal Poly
Catalog; 2) if you are in need of an accommodation for a disability in order to participate in this class,
please let me know ASAP and also contact Disability Resource Center; 3) I reserve the right to amend
this syllabus as I see fit.
We hope you enjoy the course and get a lot out of it.