本課程旨在從佛教哲學的角度，重新審視西方思想史、當代倫理議題與社會政治文化的發展。佛教一方面充滿出世思想與當代社會政治相互乖離；另一方面佛教關注苦難，又似乎與當代社會相互融合。課程將關注二個核心當代哲學概念：入世佛教（Engaged Buddhism）」「匱乏（lack）」。西方文明長期受到一種「存在上的欠缺感」所驅動，導致自由、進步、科學、國家、民主、乃至市場經濟等制度與價值被奉為終極意義。這種「匱乏的歷史」既揭示了西方文化的內在焦慮，也提供了佛教強調無我、苦難與現代社會對話的契機，並系統性探討 20 世紀下半葉以來佛教如何在亞洲各地回應戰爭、殖民、貧窮、環境與社會正義、當代倫理等挑戰。

This course aims to re-examine the history of Western thought, contemporary ethical issues and the development of social, political and cultural aspects from the perspective of Buddhist philosophy. On the one hand, Buddhism is full of transcendental thoughts and is inconsistent with contemporary social politics; on the other hand, Buddhism focuses on suffering and seems to be integrated with contemporary society. The course will focus on two core contemporary philosophical concepts: Engaged Buddhism and "lack." Western civilization has long been driven by a "sense of existential deficiency," which has led to institutions and values ​​such as freedom, progress, science, country, democracy, and even market economy being regarded as the ultimate meaning. This "history of scarcity" not only reveals the inherent anxieties of Western culture, but also provides an opportunity for Buddhism to emphasize selflessness, suffering, and dialogue with modern society. It also systematically explores how Buddhism has responded to challenges such as war, colonization, poverty, environment and social justice, and contemporary ethics in Asia since the second half of the 20th century.

1. Goodman, C. (2009). Consequences of compassion: An interpretation and defense of Buddhist ethics. Oxford University Press.
2. Queen, C. S., & King, S. B. (Eds.). (1996). Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist liberation movements in Asia. State University of New York Press.
3. Loy, D. R. (2002). A Buddhist history of the West: Studies in lack. State University of New York Press.

1. Goodman, C. (2009). Consequences of compassion: An interpretation and defense of Buddhist ethics. Oxford University Press.
2. Queen, C. S., & King, S. B. (Eds.). (1996). Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist liberation movements in Asia. State University of New York Press.
3. Loy, D. R. (2002). A Buddhist history of the West: Studies in lack. State University of New York Press.