Eastern Philosophy and Religion 5-6 page reflection paper

Due at the beginning of class on Dec. 10th.

The reflection paper will involve either (i) using scholarship from the historical, social, or other sciences with cross- or inter-disciplinary implications in order to place the ideas and arguments of a text or passage into a larger context. Possible examples include the relation between trade, trade-routes, and the spread of Buddhism; the historical connections between environmental degradation and ideas about and experiences of nature in Ancient China; comparing discussions of meditation or yoga with the medical study of its bodily effects; or (ii) using concepts and arguments from a text or passage and applying it to a contemporary issue such as war, peace, globalism, the environment, or consumerism.

Choose one of the following paper topics, which should be developed in relation to one primary reading from the course and one outside reading of your own choosing.

Philosophy Paper Grading Rubric for your writing and my grading is available here;  http://faculty.uml.edu/enelson/rubric.htm

Suggested Interdisciplinary and Applied Paper Topics

1. Relying on a description of meditative yoga in one of our readings, discuss its portrayal of the bio-spiritual character of meditation in relation to one recent medical and/or psychological study of the psychological or physiological aspects of meditative practice. What conclusions can be reached by comparing and integrating an Eastern portrayal and contemporary scientific study of meditation and its effects?

2. South and East Asian philosophies are often seen as reflecting ways of relating to natural phenomena and/or living creatures. Relying on one of our readings from the course and one account of the history of ecology in India or China, describe the relationship between how natural or animal life is portrayed in the text and the historical environmental conditions in which that portrayal was developed. Explain the connections between the two.

3. South and East Asian philosophies reflect various ways of relating to other human beings, some praising and others rejecting war. Relying on one of our readings from the course and an outside source, explore either (a) the historical social-political context and conditions of the reading's statements concerning peace and war or (b) its ethical implications for contemporary issues of peace and war.

4. South and East Asian traditions are often thought to be more or less pluralistic and tolerant. Relying on one of our readings from the course and an outside source, explore either (a) the historical social-political context and conditions of such tolerance and pluralism or (b) the contemporary implications for thinking about tolerance and pluralism in a globalized world.

5. Modern societies are often thought to be driven by profit, greed, and/or consumeristic desires. Relying on one of our readings and another source on consumerism, how might the issue of contemporary consumerism be analyzed and evaluated?  

6. The Daoist and Buddhist experiences of nature are often seen as being conducive towards a more environmentally sensitive or responsive relationship with nature. Based on one of our Daoist or Buddhist readings from the course and its portrayal of natural phenomena, evaluate the merits of a Daoist or Buddhist environmentalism in relation to one contemporary argument from environmental ethics by making a case for why either Daoism or Buddhism are or are not relevant to environmental issues and/or to what degree.

7. Buddhism is often thought to have developed some of its characteristics and spread throughout Asia because of its association with trade and trade-routes. Using one of our readings and another source on Asian trade and trade-routes, examine what aspects of Buddhism this thesis successfully explains and which ones it does not.