Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - PHIL 322 D100

History of Ethics (3)

Buddhist Ethics

Class Number: 5823

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 150, 151, 220 or 221.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of an issue or selection of issues in the history of moral or political philosophy. Historical readings will be the primary focus and may include important figures such as Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Hume, and Kant.

COURSE DETAILS:

Selected Topics: Buddhist Ethics

[Note: this course is to be taught concurrently with PHIL 822.]  

Course description: Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, claimed to have discovered the key to eliminating suffering. Suffering, he thought, arises because our most basic experiences of the world are mistaken. In the thousands of years that followed, his philosophical and psychological insights have been developed by thinkers around the world. This course will present an introduction to the basic philosophical concepts of Buddhist philosophy and their relevance to ethics.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 322 may be applied towards the Concentration in Law and Philosophy, and the Certificate in Ethics: Theory and Application. For the regular Philosophy Major, it can count either towards the Ethics requirement, or the History of Philosophy requirement. 

Grading

  • Participation in weekly online discussion 10%
  • Short Assignments (4 @ 15% each) 60%
  • Final paper 30%

NOTES:

Course delivery: lectures will be remote, asynchronous (recorded content). 
Weekly discussions will be remote, synchronous.  Online presence is required at scheduled class time.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students must have access to internet and a computer/other device that permits streaming video, word processing and teleconferencing with Zoom.

REQUIRED READING:

Bommarito, Seeing Clearly: A Buddhist Guide to Life (ISBN: 9780190887506)

Other readings will be distributed online.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).