Phil. 212 Syllabus, p. 1
MWF 9:05
Hall 109
Professor Matthew R. Dasti mdasti@bridgew.edu
508-531-2857
Office Hours and location: W/F 12:05-1:05; Tillinghast Hall 335
This course is a sustained examination of the core issues, texts, and debates that shape traditional
Indian philosophy. We start by examining philosophical themes within foundational works like the
Upaniṣads , the Bhagavad-gītā , and the Sermons of the Buddha. Then, engaging with the mature philosophical schools of the classical period, we consider epistemological questions of belief, justification, and skepticism. We next consider the metaphysical and ethical issues involved with the pan-Indian techniques of yoga, and how such contemplative practice may relate to the pursuit of happiness. We finally focus on metaphysical debates: is there an enduring self? Is there a creator God?
What is the nature of ultimate reality, called Brahman, in Vedāntic literature? While this is an introduction to Indian philosophy, for many students it will be an introduction to philosophy as well, so we will take care to become acquainted with central concepts and concerns of philosophical inquiry along the way.
•
The student will be able to identify and explain major philosophical contributions from leading philosophers in India and South Asia more generally.
•
The student will be able to articulate coherent reasons for her positions on various philosophical issues discussed in class and explain such reasons using a philosophical vocabulary developed from our readings and class discussion.
Required RR
•
Bhagavad-gītā , translated by Barbara Stoler Miller (Bantam Classics)
•
PDF’s of short articles and sections of books, which will be uploaded to the Blackboard site. You must print these individually, read them ahead of time, and bring the printed copies to relevant classes .

Phil. 212 Syllabus, p. 2
10% Participation
30% Quizzes
30% Exam #1
30% Exam #2 consistent, thoughtful participation. 0/10 is complete lack of participation. You do not just get points for showing up. I do not have a separate grade for attendance, but after 5 unexcused absences, you will fail the course.... If you miss class for some reason and aren’t sure if it should be excused or not, please check with me. based on the class notes and readings, and meant to encourage you to work at retaining what you’ve learned. They will be graded as check-plus (100), check (75), check-minus (50), or zero. There are no make-ups for quizzes except for documented medical reasons (and similar sorts of exceptions). I will sometimes repeat questions on later quizzes and on exams, so make sure to review earlier ones. exam s administered during the final exam period.
A detailed explanation of each section, along with the required readings, may be found on the Blackboard page for the course. The reading list below is not exhaustive.
Topic 1: Introduction and Ancient Proto-philosophy (2-3 weeks)
•
Readings: selections from the Upaniṣads and from the Sermons of the Buddha
Topic 2: Epistemology and the Schools ( darśanas ) (2-3 weeks)
•
Readings: handout on the major Indian schools of thought; selections from the Nyāyasūtras on knowledge sources and the external world; selections from Nāgārjuna’s
Refuting the Arguments
Topic 3: Philosophies of Yoga and Meditation (2-3 weeks)
•
Readings: The Bhagavad-gītā, selections from the Yoga-sūtras; selections from the
Sermons of the Buddha
•
Exam 1
Topic 4: The nature of the Self (2-3 weeks)
•
Readings: Selections from the Upaniṣads , the Questions of King Milinda , the Nyāya-sūtras , commentaries on the Bhagavad-gītā , the Sermons of the Buddha, and Vasubandhu’s
Abhidharma-kośa

1.
2.
3.
Phil. 212 Syllabus, p. 3
Topic 5: God/Brahman (2-3 weeks)
•
Readings: Selections from commentaries on the Bhagavad-gītā , the Nyāya-sūtras , the
“materialist” school, and Dharmakīrti’s Pramāṇa-vārttika
•
Exam 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
4.
We will use Blackboard as the web-support for this class. If you are having problems with it, let me know immediately!
This schedule and reading list is tentative. Adjustments will likely be made and will be announced in class.
If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating, you will fail the course and be reported to the
University administration.
No cell phone use/ texting, etc. are allowed in class. Please turn off your phones or put them in
“airline mode” for the duration of class. If, owing to special circumstances, you need to be on call, please alert me of this fact before class. Violating this rule will result in a deduction in your attendance/participation grade, and continued violation is grounds for failure. Students are not allowed to use computers in class except for the purpose of taking notes. Using social networking sites, etc. during class is prohibited.
Find a few note buddies. . . Let’s do this on the first day.
Take good notes, and every night spend 20 minutes or so reviewing your notes.
Do all the readings in a thoughtful way; write down questions on strange or difficult passages to ask me about them in class.
Ask questions in class about things you don’t understand.