Professor s Contact Information My Office Phone (972) My Office Location JO Address My Office Hours

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1 Course HUHI Skepticism Ancient and Modern Professor Peter K. J. Park Term Spring 2010 Meetings Mondays 4-6:45 p.m. Location: JO4.708 Professor s Contact Information My Office Phone (972) My Office Location JO Address peter.park@utdallas.edu My Office Hours Wed. 2-4 p.m. and by appointment, but for students of this course, I can also available before or after the seminar session. General Course Information Pre-requisites, Corequisites, & other Open to M.A. and Ph.D. students only. restrictions The Outlines of Pyrrhonism (Pyrrôneioi hypotypôseis) by an obscure Greek physician named Sextus Empiricus (ca. 2nd century C.E.) provoked many of the most enduring themes of modern European thought since its rediscovery in the fifteenth century. Montaigne, Descartes, Hume, Kant, and Kierkegaard, along with a host of non-canonical thinkers, were each confronted by skepticism and attempted to refute or combat it through their philosophical work. This course will introduce students to the skeptic way, which Sextus claimed was not a positive doctrine, but a way of life (agôgê) or disposition (dumanis). The skeptics Course Description did however employ a battery of arguments and powerful dialectic, with great consequences for Western science and religion. After we become reacquainted with the Western tradition of skepticism, we shall turn to the Indian tradition specifically, the Mâdhyamaka Buddhist philosophy, which was founded by the Buddhist monk Nâgârjuna. After situating Mâdhyamaka in the traditions of Indian philosophy, we shall read Nâgârjuna s great treatise, Fundamental Verses on the Middle Way (Mûlamadhyamakakârikâ) and then consider some scholars' claims that the philosophical outlook of the Middle Way is nearly identical to that of Pyrrhonism. Students will be able to (1) describe the goals and methods of skeptical dialectic, (2) recognize their deployment in modern philosophy and religious thought since the Renaissance, (3) apply their knowledge of skepticism to the interpretation of Learning Outcomes Mâdhyamaka philosophy, and (4) evaluate recent philosophical and philological comparisons of Pyrrhonism and Mâdyhamaka. Required Texts & Materials Benson Mates, The Skeptic Way: Sextus Empiricus s Outlines of Pyrrhonism, trans. w/ introduction and commentary (Oxford Univ. Press, 1996) ISBN Sextus Empiricus, Against the Logicians, trans. Richard Bett (Cambridge UP, 2005) [excerpt avail. on elearning] René Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy (Hackett, 1998) ISBN George Berkeley, Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous (Hackett, 1979) ISBN David Hume, Treatise of Human Nature, ed. Ernest C. Mossner (Penguin, 1986) ISBN Immanuel Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics, Revised Ed. by Gary Hatfield (Cambridge UP, 2004) 1

2 José Raimundo Maia Neto, The Christianization of Pyrrhonism: scepticism and faith in Pascal, Kierkegaard, and Shestov (Dordrecht; Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, c1995), Chapters 2 and 3 [elearning] William James, Pragmatism and Other Writings (Penguin, 2000) ISBN Robert J. Fogelin, Wittgenstein, 2nd ed. (Routledge, 1995) Nagarjuna, The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way, trans. w/ commentary by Jay L. Garfield (1995) ISBN Thomas McEvilley, The Shape of Ancient Thought: Comparative Studies in Greek and Indian Philosophy (New York: Allworth Press, 2002) ISBN [excerpts avail. on elearning] Adrian Kuzminski, Pyrrhonism: How the Ancient Greeks Reinvented Buddhism (Lexington Books, 2008) ISBN Suggested Texts, Readings, & Materials other translations of Outlines of Pyrrhonism Outlines of Scepticism, translated by Julia Annas and Jonathan Barnes (Cambridge UP, 2000) Outlines of Pyrrhonism, translated by R. G. Bury (older translation; multiple editions) other studies of ancient skepticism The Modes of Skepticism works and articles by Julia Annas and Jonathan Barnes essays in Myles Burnyeat (ed.), The Skeptical Tradition (UC Press, 1983) R. J. Hankinson, The Sceptics (Routledge, 1995) introduction to Buddhist philosophy/thought Paul Williams and Anthony Tribe, Buddhist Thought: A Complete Introduction to the Indian Tradition (Routledge, 2000) ISBN other studies of modern skepticism Richard H. Popkin, The History of Scepticism from Savonarola to Bayle, rev. and expanded ed. (Oxford UP, 2003) Richard H. Popkin, The High Road to Pyrrhonism, ed. Richard A. Watson (San Diego: Austin Hill Press, 1980) Richard H. Popkin and Charles B. Schmitt, Scepticism from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment (Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, 1987) [some essays in] Myles Burnyeat (ed.), The Skeptical Tradition (UC Press, 1983) José R. Maia Neto and Richard H. Popkin (eds.), Skepticism in Renaissance and Post-Renaissance Thought: New Interpretations (Humanity Books, 2004) Luciano Floridi, Sextus Empiricus: The Transmission and Recovery of Pyrrhonism (Oxford UP, 2002) general histories of philosophy/intellectual histories Richard King, Indian Philosophy: An Introduction to Hindu and Buddhist Thought (Georgetown U.P., 1999) ISBN Richard H. Popkin (ed.), The Columbia History of Western Philosophy classics reference The Oxford Classical Dictionary philosophy references Cambridge Dictionary of Philosophy MacMillan Encyclopedia of Philosophy Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy 2

3 Assignments & Academic Calendar 1/10 Introduction to the course 1/17 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - NO CLASS Theme: Sextus Empiricus, Outlines of Pyrrhonism, Books 1 & 2 Reading: Benson Mates, The Skeptic Way, , (please consult 1/24 Mates' commentary as you read, ) Recommended reading: The Skeptic Way, v-ix, 4-85 Themes: Outlines of Pyrrhonism Book 3; Sextus Empiricus, Against the Logicians, Book 1 excerpt Reading: Mates, (please consult Mates' commentary, ); Sextus 1/31 Empiricus, Against the Logicians, trans. by Richard Bett, xxxv-xliii, [avail. elearning] Recommended reading: Bett, ix-xxx [avail. elearning] Theme: René Descartes, Discourse on Method and Meditations on First Philosophy, 4th ed., trans. Donald A. Cress 2/07 Reading: Cress, pp. vii-ix; Recommended Reading: Richard H. Popkin, The History of Scepticism, rev. and expanded ed., Theme: George Berkeley, Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous Reading: Berkeley, xi-xxvii, /14 Recommended reading: Popkin's essays on Berkeley in The High Road to Pyrrhonism, Theme: David Hume, A Treatise of Human Nature, Book I, Parts I-III 2/21 Reading: Hume/Mossner, Theme: Treatise of Human Nature, Book I, Part IV Reading: Hume/Mossner, , /28 Recommended reading: Popkin's essays on Hume in The High Road to Pyrrhonism Theme: Immanuel Kant, Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics 3/07 Reading: Kant/Hatfield, xl-xliv, Recommended reading: Kant/Hatfield, ix-xxxvii 3/14-3/19 SPRING BREAK 3/21 3/28 4/04 4/11 4/18 4/25 5/02 Theme: Pascal and Kierkegaard Reading: José R. Maia Neto, The Christianization of Pyrrhonism, Chapters 2 & 3 [elearning] Theme: William James' Pragmatism Reading: Pragmatism, xxxvii-xxxix, Recommended reading: vii-xxxii Theme: Ludwig Wittgenstein's later philosophy Reading: Robert J. Fogelin, Wittgenstein, xi-xiv, Recommended reading: Fogelin, Theme: Nagarjuna's Mulamadhyamakakarika Reading: Jay L. Garfield, The Fundamental Wisdom of the Middle Way, vii-ix, Recommended reading: Fundamental Wisdom, 2-83 (Try reading Nagarjuna's verses apart from Garfield's commentary.) Theme: Mulamadhyamakakarika Reading: Fundamental Wisdom, Theme: Pyrrhonism and Madhyamaka Reading: Thomas McEvilley, The Shape of Ancient Thought, [elearning] Recommended reading: The Shape of Ancient Thought, Theme: Madhyamaka and Pyrrhonism Reading: Adrian Kuzminski, Pyrrhonism: How the Ancient Greeks Reinvented Buddhism, ix-xiv,

4 Course Policies Grading (credit) Criteria Late Work Class Attendance Classroom Citizenship Technical Support Student Conduct and Discipline Academic Integrity Final grade breakdown: regular attendance and participation in discussion (25%); short papers (75%) Your final grade will be based on the following scale (as percentages): = A, = A-, = B+, = B, = B-, = C+, = C, = C-, = D+, = D, = D-, 0-59 = F You may try to negotiate an extension. Required. Please arrive on time. Please maintain the highest level of civil and professional speech during seminar. If you experience any problems with your UT Dallas account you may assist@utdallas.edu or call the UT Dallas Computer Help Desk at The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student conduct and discipline is contained in the UT Dallas printed publication, A to Z Guide, which is available to all registered students each academic year. The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Series 50000, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the university s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/ ) and online at A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct. [Added July 2010] Students are expected to be attentive during class and to participate actively in group activities. Students are expected to listen respectfully to faculty and to other students who are speaking. Racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ageism, and other forms of bigotry are inappropriate to express in class. Classes may discuss issues that require sensitivity and maturity. Disruptive students will be asked to leave and may be subject to disciplinary action. The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work. Scholastic Dishonesty: Any student who commits an act of scholastic dishonesty is subject to discipline. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, submitting for credit any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person, taking an examination for another person, or any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student or the attempt to commit such acts. Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source, is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the 4

5 Use Withdrawal from Class Student Grievance Procedures Incomplete Grades Disability Services university s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective. The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an exchange. The university encourages all official student correspondence be sent only to a student s UT Dallas address and that faculty and staff consider from students official only if it originates from a UT Dallas student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individuals corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UT Dallas furnishes each student with a free account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of Information Resources at UT Dallas provides a method for students to have their UT Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts. The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal from any college-level courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course inventory and in the academic calendar. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, a professor or other instructor cannot drop or withdraw any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled. Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university s Handbook of Operating Procedures. In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called the respondent ). Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent s School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations. As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a grade of F. The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities equal educational opportunities. Disability Services provides students with a documented letter to present to the faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations. This letter should be presented to the instructor in each course at the beginning of the semester and accommodations needed should be discussed at that time. It is the student s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for accommodation. If accommodations are granted for testing accommodations, the student should remind the instructor five days before the exam of any testing accommodations that will be needed. Disability Services is located in 5

6 Religious Holy Days Resources to Help You Succeed Room in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may reach Disability Services at (972) Guidelines for documentation are located on the Disability Services website at The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated. The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment. If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC (b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive officer or designee. The GEMS Center (located within the Conference Center) provides a wide array of free academic support and enhancement for UT Dallas undergraduate students. Offerings include, but are not limited to, a Math Lab and Writing Center, Peer Tutoring (with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math courses), test review sessions, and academic success coaching. The current menu of services, schedules, and contact information is posted on the GEMS website: [Added July 2010] These descriptions and timelines are subject to change at the discretion of the Professor. 6