"VIRTUES & WORLD RELIGIONS"


6 Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:20pm, October 21 to December 2, 2010 (skipping Nov 11) at SFU Harbour Centre, 515 W Hastings, Vancouver, BC, Canada

To Register:
seniors@sfu.ca or www.sfu.ca/seniors or 778-782-5212


Course Description:

Faced with disturbing and perplexing developments in today's world, a growing number of seekers, social activists, educators and parents are re-discovering a field called 'virtue ethics'. It is heartening to learn that almost all religious and indigenous traditions share many principles of spiritual, social and material guidance. Self-discipline and wisdom, loving-kindness and service, peace and unity, trustworthiness and moderation, stewardship and earthcare are widely emphasized in the world religions. To a surprising degree the founders of faith taught compatible moral and spiritual messages. But how realistic are the age-old visions of a beautiful and fair world? Is the quest for 'unity-in-diversity' a disguised form of global oppression, a shallow slogan, or an unavoidable process as we enter the 21st century? Are virtues merely optional guidelines, higher human capacities, or divine requirements? In this course we explore virtues in global-historical perspective, and apply them to contemporary challenges.

Course Schedule:

1 – Oct 21 – Introduction to Virtues & Native Perspectives
2 – Oct 28 – Jewish & Persian Perspectives
3 – Nov 4 – East Indian Perspectives
4 – Nov 18 – Chinese Perspectives
5 – Nov 25 – Hellenistic & Christian Perspectives
6 – Dec 2 – Islamic & Baha'i Perspectives