The College of Continuing Education and Community Service (CCECS) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo announces three unique lifelong learning classes with instructor Benjamin Zenk. All classes will be held at UH Hilo’s Kanaka‘ole Hall, Room 112.
Philosophy for Life: Exercises in Thought will debunk the myth that philosophy offers few practical lessons. The class will draw inspiration from some of the greatest ideas and practices of philosophers from throughout history and around the world. Participants will read, discuss, and experience some of the philosophical practices employed by Socrates, Buddha, Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, and others. Participants will experience the benefits of these practices and understand the philosophical ideas which support them. Classes will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 7-July 26. Cost is $65.
Philosophy for Life: The Indian Tradition will familiarize participants with many different schools of Indian thought, extending beyond the already diverse traditions of yoga and Buddhism. Students will leave with a better understanding of this complex tradition. Classes will run from 5:45-6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 7-July 26. Cost is $65, or $110 for both.
Introduction to Sanskrit 1: The Language of the Gods will help participants become familiar with the basics of Sanskrit, including the devanagari alphabet, vowel assimilation, and simple grammatical forms. Sanskrit is the language of yoga, of poetry, of philosophy and of medicine in India and around the world. Classes will be held on Saturdays, June 11-August 20, with no class on June 18, from 1-3:30 p.m. Cost is $150.
Instructor Benjamin Zenk is a Ph.D. candidate in philosophy at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. He received his B.A. in philosophy from Loyola Marymount University, and his M.A. in philosophy from UH Manoa. Zenk completed several years of Sanskrit training in the U.S. before spending a year studying the language in Pune, India.
For more information and to register, contact CCECS at 932-7830 or
visit http://hilo.hawaii.edu/ccecs/.