Program overview
What does philosophy study? Simply put, it's about learning how to ask and answer the most fundamental questions: What is the world? How is knowledge possible? What is justice? What is the meaning of life? You'll explore core courses like Chinese philosophy (e.g., Confucianism, Daoism, Buddhism), Western philosophy (from ancient Greece to modern times), logic, ethics, and aesthetics. At Chinese universities, philosophy programs place special emphasis on close reading of classical texts, such as the Analects, Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi, and original Western philosophical works. Classes involve lots of discussion—teachers encourage you to question and debate rather than memorize. It's a great fit for students who love to think, aren't satisfied with surface-level answers, and enjoy pondering abstract questions. Philosophy departments at some Chinese universities (like Peking University, Fudan University, and Renmin University of China) have international influence, especially in Confucian philosophy and comparative philosophy, offering unique resources.