Philosophy

Through classroom study, classic reading and course videos, a more comprehensive understanding of the basic knowledge of critical thinking and argumentation theory. Through case analysis and problem discussion, this course will focus on cultivating my ability of independent thinking, comprehensive analysis and language expression. Through the overall design of the course, it will guide the formation of reflective thinking attitude, logical thinking skills and open thinking quality, reflecting critical thinking and innovative spirit.

This course investigates central questions of recent ethical theory. Topics include the nature of the good, the badness of death, utilitarian accounts of right and wrong action, virtue (esp. justice and benevolence), equality, partiality and impartiality, responsibility and moral luck.

An introduction of chinese buddhist history, including important events , main figures and schools.

This course includes:

 (1) A comprehensive overview of the history of Chinese Buddhism based on the stages of its spread and development in early China;

 (2) Introduction to the translation, annotation, and dissemination of Buddhist classics; 

(3) Selective explanation of the main ideological thoughts, religious sects, and their theoretical characteristics in Chinese Buddhism through reading original materials; 

(4) Exploring the exchange and integration between Buddhism and traditional Chinese culture in the context of Chinese social and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, based on classroom teachings, selected readings will be organized, followed by open discussions.

This course examines the relationship between philosophy and religion from the perspective of different philosophical and religious traditions. Topics include: the nature of ultimate reality, arguments for and against the existence God or gods, competing philosophical and religious accounts of life after death, religious pluralism and God or gods, competing philosophical and religious accounts of life after death, religious pluralism and diversity.

This course provides a comprehensive insight into all things AI. It is not intended for those who wish to learn the mathematical underpinnings of the computer science or coding aspect of AI. It is for those who wish to explore how AI is affecting our world, from labor markets to politics, from business models to us as humans.

This course examines classic texts and major themes in phenomenology and existentialism, a tradition that shaped continental European philosophy throughout much of the 20th century. It focuses on central figures in that tradition, such as Sartre, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty and Husserl. Themes to be discussed include the aims and methods of phenomenology, consciousness and perception, being-in-the world, our relation to others, authenticity, freedom and embodiment. 

This module provides an introduction to central figures, works and ideas of the period of the European Enlightenment (roughly 1700-1800), beginning with an account of its historical background and ending with a review of its legacy. It approaches issues both thematically and through the writings of major thinkers, considering for example various contrasts: experience and reason, belief and scepticism, individual and society, nature and convention, equality and inequality, and representation and revolution; and looking at the ideas of such figures as Locke, Hume, Kant, Smith, and Rousseau.

This course explores various ethical questions related to engineering. Examples include: What is the relationship between ethical and social responsibilities in engineering? What is considered ethical? What is considered legal? Who decides that? etc. It discusses the idea that the essence of ethics is not to set up barriers to technical progress, but, rather, to indicate in which direction progress should move. Key topics include: algorithmic fairness, the rationality of ethics, and strategies for engineers to maintain ethical integrity while working in complex systems and organizations.