FSEM 171   Introduction to Philosophical Traditions of Africa, the Americas, and Asia

Faculty Profile for Professor Lennertz

Students explore philosophy as it has been done across the world – in particular, in Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Students investigate rules for good living developed by Chinese thinkers like Confucius, reflect on the self with Hindu and Buddhist thinkers from South Asia, and tease out lessons about the nature of existence from some oral traditions of Africa and North America. Throughout the course, students engage with major thinkers and lines of thought in these traditions with three questions in mind: First, do cultural, linguistic, or geographical features affect a person’s or group’s philosophical views and methods? And if so, how? Second, what does philosophy across the different traditions have in common? Are there universal philosophical methods or topics? Third, what philosophical insights can we learn from these traditions – how can they help us better understand the world, other people, and ourselves? Students who successfully complete this seminar will satisfy one half of the human thought and expression areas of inquiry requirement.

Professor Lennertz has broad teaching interests across philosophy, including topics related to thought, language, logic, religion, and mathematics – in both contemporary and historical European philosophy. He is excited to use this FSEM to explore these and other topics in non-European philosophical traditions.