JUSTIN WHITAKER

Proposed or Thesis Title:

ETHICS AS A PATH IN BUDDHISM AND KANT

Summary of Research:

A philosophical inquiry into the nature of Buddhist ethics from a kantian perspective. This work expands upon Damien Keown's mapping of the contours of Buddhist ethics, questioning wether they might be broadened to match a deontological moral outlook.

Conference papers:

"Meditation;s Ethics: Ignation 'Spiritual Exercises' and Buddhist 'Mettā-Bhā vanā'" at the American Academy of Religion International Conference in Montreal, Canada (November 2009).

"A Buddhist Reading Kant, a Kantian Reading the Buddha" at the University of the West, Rosemead, CA (July, 2009).

"Buddhist Meditation as a moral Activity" for the center for Ethics spring talks at noon series at the University of Montana-Missoula (April 2009).

"Is Buddhist Ethics Kantian?" as the inaugural lecture for a series of research seminars in Religion, Philosophy & Ethics at the University of Gloucestershire, Uk (January 2009).

"Studies in Buddhist Ethics" at the Department of Theology and Religious Studies 12th Joint Postgraduate Conference (March 2007).

"Buddhist Ethics: A Kantian Analysis" at the Pacific Northwest AAR/SBL and ASOR Annual Meeting (May 2006).

"Buddhist Ethics: A Kantian Analysis" at the 4th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities (January 2006).

"The (Early) Buddhist Philosophy of Mind: The Use and Abuse of Ontology in Buddhist Studies" at the Department of Theology and Religous Studies 10th Joint Postgraduate Conference (March 2005).

Publications:

NONE.

Teaching:

"Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism"

• RELS 295 at the University of Montana. A University course exploring Tibetan Buddhism from both socio-historical and religio-philosophical perspectives, for the department of Luberal Studies at UM. Supervisor: Dr Paul Dietrich. (January - May 2007)
• RELS 232H at the University of Montana. A University course covering the full History of Buddhism from pre-Brahmanic India to modern/western Buddhism, for the department of Liberal at UM. Supervisor: Dr Paul Dietrich. (September - December 2006)

" Buddhism: Philosophy, Religion, Way of Life"

• For the Missoula Free School, six weekly classes on Buddhism open to the public (November - December 2005).

"Introduction to Meditation in the Buddhist Tradition"

• For the UM University Center Office of Annual and Special Events (December 2003).

My Experience of Studying Mphil or PhD at Goldsmiths:

My experience at Goldsmiths has been simply wonderful. Our department is small, so we dont have quite the facilities as some, but the outstanding staff and faculty make up for it tenfold.

Your Recommendations for Future Research Students:

Get involved with the community (academics, sport, etc.) as much as possible. Create the events you want if you dont see them. Make things happen!!!