EdX

The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life (edX)

The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches us about the Good Life (edX)

Why should we care about Confucius? Explore ancient Chinese philosophy, ethics, and political theory to challenge your assumptions of what it means to be happy, live a meaningful life, and change the world. Today, finding happiness is about mindfulness and discovering your true self. You may have heard that happiness is found by looking within. Ancient Chinese philosophy challenges all of these modern assumptions. From Confucianism to Daoism, the philosophies developed over two thousand years ago are among the most powerful in human history.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see EdX's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

This course brings voices from the past into modern contexts to explore the path to a good life today. The philosophical concepts discussed provide tools to change your life and increase personal happiness by focusing on your actions, the power of ritual, and the importance of sensing the world around you.
Through a series of lectures, animations, discussions, and reflection diaries, this course focuses on close readings from prominent Chinese philosophers. The course requires no prior knowledge of Chinese philosophy or history and all texts are in translation.
Adapted from one of the most popular classes at Harvard, this course is now available online for the first time. Learn from award-winning professor Michael Puett and start on your path towards happiness.

What you'll learn

  • Understanding ancient Chinese philosophy to live a better life
  • Tools for self-awareness, the power of ritual, and sensing the world around you
  • How personal actions and counteractions change the world
  • The philosophical theories of Confucius, Mozi, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, and Han Feizi
Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Mediation and Conflict Resolution (Coursera) Coursera
ESSEC Business School

Mediation and Conflict Resolution (Coursera)

Mediation is a crucial means to reaching peaceful and agreed solutions in today’s world – on an international, political, industrial, peace-keeping or social level. With the course you will be able to choose and lead a mediation process. You will gain a deeper understanding of workplace and international conflict resolution. Fundamentals of Negotiation are required to complete this MOOC. You can acquire them through our MOOC "Negotiation Fundamentals".

Jul 20th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Trabajar para ser feliz (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad Austral

Trabajar para ser feliz (Coursera)

En nuestra vida diaria nos movemos a toda velocidad por diferentes escenarios: la familia, el trabajo, la vida social. Muchas veces podemos quedar atrapados en la vorágine o en la rutina del día a día y olvidarnos de algo importante y que da sentido a todo lo que hacemos: cómo ser felices y cómo hacer felices a los que nos rodean en casa y en el trabajo. Hoy en día existe una confusión, porque estamos muy centrados en el “bienestar”. Vivimos en una cultura que tiende al consumismo, al activismo y nos olvidamos del “bienser”, entendido como ese sentido de plenitud que lleva a sentirse bien con uno mismo y con su entorno.

Aug 10th 2026
4 Weeks
Let’s Get Happy: Happiness Drives Performance (edX) EdX
University of Maryland, College Park,University System of Maryland - USM,USMx,UMD

Let’s Get Happy: Happiness Drives Performance (edX)

Great leaders, create great culture, which yields great work: G3. Leadership requires skills and is in greater demand. Are you ready to lead when the call comes? Would you like to refresh your leadership skills? If so, this course is for you. In this course you will learn about great culture – the goal of every great leader. Find out how happy you are personally and at work, be able to make the case for happiness at work as a critical strategic approach, understand how happy project and technical professionals are right how, and learn how to build you own personal happiness and happiness at work.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Thriving 101: Designing a Fulfilling Life & Career (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Thriving 101: Designing a Fulfilling Life & Career (Coursera)

Are you ready to enhance your life?  Are you craving more fulfillment and less stress?  Is it possibly time to make a career change? Before aimlessly and impulsively diving into changes in your life, it’s a smart move to take the time to learn what the science and other experts have revealed truly leads to fulfilling lives and careers.   

Jul 27th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Meditation: A way to achieve your goals in your life (Coursera) Coursera
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology - KAIST

Meditation: A way to achieve your goals in your life (Coursera)

Do we truly think that we have lived for ourselves? Perhaps we have lived for money, love, fame, family and pride etc.? Therefore, we don’t seem to be satisfied even though we are full of those things. It is because that we don’t know ourselves. Eric Fromm talked about human nature as two modes of being: “To Have” and “To Be”. If we are “Having” the nature of possessions, we are not satisfied, and feel empty and futile. Then, how can we be “Being” the nature of our inner-selves? Sometimes, we happened to be aware of this “Being” nature and try to change ourselves, but fail. But, because of our daily routines, it’s easily forgotten. And more it is hard to escape from our unwanted minds controlling us.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
From Sleep Disorders to Sleep Health (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

From Sleep Disorders to Sleep Health (Coursera)

Healthy sleep is essential to good physical and mental health. If you or someone you know has ever struggled with sleep, daytime alertness, or has recently been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, From Sleep Disorders to Sleep Health can be a helpful guide. In this course, you’ll explore the importance of sleep and the barriers that can prevent effective sleep. You will learn how sleep needs, functions, and vulnerabilities can differ dramatically across the human lifespan, from childhood to adulthood.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Korean Philosophy and Culture (Coursera) Coursera
Sungkyunkwan University - SKKU

Introduction to Korean Philosophy and Culture (Coursera)

This course will give you the cultural and historical background to begin your journey into Korean philosophy, and there is no prerequisite knowledge on philosophy required. Anybody who either has an interest in Korean culture, maybe through K-Dramas or K-pop, or an interest in philosophy from a cross-cultural perspective, are all welcome.

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
Engineering Health: Introduction to Yoga and Physiology (Coursera) Coursera
New York University Tandon School of Engineering

Engineering Health: Introduction to Yoga and Physiology (Coursera)

This course gives you access to an exploration of physiological systems from the perspective of overall health and wellness. In particular, a focus on yoga, meditation and mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention in chronic illness and long term treatment. This course is intended for yoga practitioners and teachers, as well as college students and medical practitioners looking for a deeper understanding of the physiological benefits of yoga.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Unethical Decision Making in Organizations (Coursera) Coursera
University of Lausanne

Unethical Decision Making in Organizations (Coursera)

This course 'Unethical decision making in organizations : A seminar on the dark side of the force' will teach you how strong organizational contexts push good people towards unethical decisions. You will also learn how to protect yourself and your organization against such forces lurking in the dark. This course teaches how narrow frames and strong contexts can push good people towards unethical decisions and how they can protect themselves and their organization against ethical blindness.

Aug 10th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare (Coursera) Coursera
University of Minnesota

Mindfulness in Integrative Healthcare (Coursera)

By the end of this course, you will be able to assess when mindfulness may be helpful for your patients or clients, educate them about its potential benefits, and refer them to mindfulness programs and resources. To begin, you will explore what mindfulness is (and is not) through presentations and direct experience. You will also learn about the research supporting the benefits (and risks) of mindfulness for various conditions, as well as how to identify contraindications. Finally, you will learn about the benefits of this practice for you as a busy healthcare provider.

Jul 20th 2026
4 Weeks
Managing Happiness (edX) EdX
HarvardX,Harvard University

Managing Happiness (edX)

Managing Happiness encourages you to explore the science of happiness, allowing you to find your truest self. Through cutting-edge survey tools, the best research, and trends in social science, neuroscience, and philosophy to help learners unlock the strategies to create a more purposeful life, full of long-lasting enjoyment and satisfaction.

Self Paced
Self-Paced