Eastern Philosophy: Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Beyond

Eastern Philosophy: Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Beyond is a practical introduction to classical Chinese, Indian, Buddhist, and Japanese traditions for students who want clear guidance through major ideas, texts, and thinkers. This Philosophy course helps you understand concepts such as virtue, the Dao, dharma, karma, liberation, no-self, compassion, and Zen practice while connecting them to everyday life.

Explore Eastern Philosophy Through Timeless Traditions

• Study Confucius, Lao Tzu, Mencius, Xunzi, Zhuangzi, the Buddha, the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Zen thought in an accessible sequence
• Compare Confucian, Daoist, Indian, Buddhist, and Japanese traditions without needing prior Philosophy experience
• Learn practical ideas for ethical living, self-cultivation, action without forcing, meditation, compassion, and reflective decision-making
• Build a strong foundation for further study in world Philosophy, religion, humanities, history, and cross-cultural thought

A clear and practical introduction to classical Chinese, Indian, Buddhist, and Japanese traditions in Eastern Philosophy.

This course begins by asking what counts as Eastern Philosophy and why these traditions developed in response to questions about order, crisis, suffering, duty, freedom, and human flourishing. You will study the world of ancient China, including the Hundred Schools period, before moving into Confucian Philosophy and its emphasis on moral character, humane government, family, education, ren, li, and virtue. The course then examines Daoist Philosophy through Lao Tzu, the Dao De Jing, wu wei, and Zhuangzi’s reflections on freedom, perspective, and the limits of certainty. From there, you will explore Indian Philosophy through dharma, karma, liberation, the Upanishads, the self, and the Bhagavad Gita’s teachings on duty, devotion, and discipline. Buddhist Philosophy is introduced through the Buddha’s diagnosis of suffering, impermanence, no-self, dependent arising, compassion, meditation, and the Middle Way, followed by East Asian Buddhism, Zen, emptiness, and direct experience. By the end of Eastern Philosophy: Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Beyond, you will be able to compare major traditions, explain their central ideas, and apply their insights to modern questions about ethics, identity, purpose, and how to live with greater awareness.