IDS-172: Honors: The Axial Age: Philosophy of East and West

Considers the new ways of thought that emerged in the Ancient Near East, Greece, India, and China during the first millennium BCE ("the axial age"). Thinkers reconsider basic areas of concern--the transcendent, human nature, the family, society, government, knowledge, the past, and death--in relation to the pre-existing culture. For example, this re-interpretation of tradition led to the rise of: Biblical Judaism in the Near East; classical philosophy in Greece; the Upanishads and Buddhism in India; and Confucianism and Daoism in China. In this seminar, students strengthen their critical thinking skills. Prerequisite: Morrissy scholar or permission. Fulfills general education requirement in lower-level philosophy. [3 credits]