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[Skip to main content](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/path-happiness-what-chinese-philosophy-teaches-us-about-good-life#main-content) [View All Courses](https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog) [ Professional and Lifelong Learning \| Harvard University](https://pll.harvard.edu/ "Professional and Lifelong Learning | Harvard University") [View All Courses](https://pll.harvard.edu/catalog) ## Browse by Subject Area - [Art & Design](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/art-design) - [Business](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/business) - [Computer Science](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/computer-science) - [Data Science](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/data-science) - [Education & Teaching](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/education-teaching) - [Health & Medicine](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/health-medicine) - [Humanities](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/humanities) - [Mathematics](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/mathematics) - [Programming](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/programming) - [Science](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/science) - [Social Sciences](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/social-sciences) - [Theology](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/theology) # The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches Us about the Good Life 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. [Learn More](https://www.edx.org/course/the-path-to-happiness) on  Duration August 13, 2025 - August 12, 2026 Price Free\* Modality Online Image  Duration 13 weeks long Time Commitment 2 - 4 hours per week Pace Self-paced Subject [Humanities](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/humanities) Course Language English Difficulty - Introductory Credit Audit for Free Add a Verified Certificate for \$149 Platform edX Topics [Wellness](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/wellness) [Philosophy](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/philosophy-0) [Ethics](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/ethics) [Asia](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/asia) [Religion](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/religion-0) [Buddhism](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/buddhism) ## Associated Schools [](https://pll.harvard.edu/school/harvard-faculty-arts-sciences) ### [Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences](https://pll.harvard.edu/school/harvard-faculty-arts-sciences) [](https://pll.harvard.edu/school/graduate-school-arts-sciences) ### [Graduate School of Arts & Sciences](https://pll.harvard.edu/school/graduate-school-arts-sciences) ## 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 [Learn More](https://www.edx.org/course/the-path-to-happiness) on  ## Course description 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. 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. ### [Learn More](https://www.edx.org/course/the-path-to-happiness) on  ## Instructors [](https://pll.harvard.edu/instructor/michael-puett) ### [Michael Puett](https://pll.harvard.edu/instructor/michael-puett) Walter C. Klein Professor of Chinese History and Anthropology, Harvard University Enroll now. [Learn More](https://www.edx.org/course/the-path-to-happiness) on  ## You may also like [](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/chinas-first-empires-and-the-rise-of-buddhism) [Humanities](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/humanities) Online ### [China’s First Empires and the Rise of Buddhism](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/chinas-first-empires-and-the-rise-of-buddhism) Learn about the Qin and Han dynasties, and how Buddhism and ideas of self-realization influenced the medieval period. Price Free\* Duration 15 weeks long Registration Deadline Available now [](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/lose-weight-and-keep-it) [Health & Medicine](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/health-medicine) Online ### [Lose Weight and Keep It Off](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/lose-weight-and-keep-it) The proven advice in this essential course can help you lose weight safely—without gimmick diets. Even more important, Harvard’s nutrition experts explain how to keep the weight you lose from coming back. Price \$30 Duration 2 weeks long Registration Deadline Available now [](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/lifestyle-medicine-and-wellness-coaching-immersion) [Health & Medicine](https://pll.harvard.edu/subject/health-medicine) In-Person ### [Lifestyle Medicine and Wellness Coaching Immersion](https://pll.harvard.edu/course/lifestyle-medicine-and-wellness-coaching-immersion) This immersive, two-day Harvard Medical School Executive Education program equips health and wellness professionals with evidence-based lifestyle medicine tools to drive whole-person health and sustainable behavior change. Price \$3,500 Registration Deadline Register by Mar 25 [Donate](https://community.alumni.harvard.edu/give/15502574) ## Footer Links - [Accessibility](http://accessibility.harvard.edu/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.harvard.edu/privacy-statement/) - [Terms of Use](https://pll.harvard.edu/terms-use) - [EEA Privacy Disclosures](https://internationaldataprivacy.harvard.edu/) [](https://vpal.harvard.edu/) \*See this course's registration page for any additional fee details