Program overview
Philosophy may sound lofty and cold, but it's actually relevant to everyone's life. Simply put, philosophy is about asking "why" — why is the world the way it is? What is fairness? What is happiness? Studying philosophy at a Chinese university, you'll encounter three main areas: Chinese philosophy (from Confucius, Laozi to Zhu Xi, Wang Yangming), Western philosophy (from Plato to Nietzsche, Sartre), and Marxist philosophy (a distinctive feature of Chinese universities). Core courses include History of Chinese Philosophy, History of Western Philosophy, Ethics, Logic, Aesthetics, Metaphysics, and more. You'll also learn how to analyze complex texts and construct persuasive arguments. This major is especially suitable for students who like to "dig deep," enjoy debating, and are curious about the meaning of life. Chinese universities have unique advantages in philosophy — for example, the philosophy departments at Peking University, Fudan University, and Renmin University of China are very strong, and resources for Chinese philosophy (such as ancient texts, temples, and academies) are abundant. International students can combine theory with field trips.