In simple terms, philosophy uses reasoning and logic to analyze how humans experience this world. However, it is not merely about learning the theories put forth by the great philosophers of our world. Learning philosophy can help you hone your critical thinking skills, improve the clarity of your writing, logical reasoning, and even your reading skills.
No matter what your major is, your knowledge of philosophy can be a valuable asset throughout your life. Fortunately, you no longer need to bag a place at an esteemed university to learn philosophy. These online courses can help you gain an understanding of this vast subject.
- Introduction to Philosophy on Coursera
This course is developed by the philosophy professors at the University of Edinburgh. You will begin the course by trying to understand what philosophy is and the different aims and methods in it. The rest of the courses covers an introductory overview of several different areas of philosophy.
You will gain a basic understanding of epistemology, the philosophy of science, mind, political philosophy, moral philosophy, and metaphysics. The course also offers you the book Philosophy for Everyone written by Mathew Chrisman.
- Philosophy and Critical Thinking on edX
As we mentioned earlier, philosophy has very close associations with critical thinking. If you are basing your term paper on this subject, apart from finding an essay writer on EssayPro, you could also sign up for this course. Designed by the University of Queensland Australia, this program discusses how you can use philosophy to think with clarity, humor, and rigor.
The course will also introduce you to the basic principles of philosophical inquiry and how to use critical thinking to answer this question. Regardless of your field of study, this particular course can offer you a different perspective on how we look at ourselves and the world around us.
- A History of Philosophy on Open Culture
Want to attend a lecture from one of the most renowned philosophical professors of the world? Open Culture gives you free access to 81 video lectures offered by Arthur Holmes as a part of his influential course at Wheaton College.
He covers the history of philosophy, discussing the works of famous philosophers including Plato, Aquinas, Kant, Senegal, Spinoza, and more. You can also find the videos on their YouTube playlist.
- Introduction to Philosophy and to Ethics on Udemy
This course will walk you through the origin of philosophy and its most important developments. The program aims to introduce students to the great thinkers of our society as a stepping stone to their interest in the subject.
The second part focuses on how you can look at philosophy with its practical applications in the current world. This is an on-demand course, and the instructor regularly updates it with more lessons.
- Indian Philosophy Lectures
A majority of western universities focus on western philosophy. However, the eastern world has made significant contributions to the world of philosophy and culture. If you want to take a peek at the vast and diverse philosophical traits of India, you can find a comprehensive set of video lectures on YouTube.
These are curated and taught by Satya Sundar Sethy, who is a professor at the renowned Indian Institute of Technology. You can gain an understanding of the culture and philosophy dating back to the Indus Valley civilization.
- The Path to Happiness: What Chinese Philosophy Teaches Us about the Good Life on edX
In this digital world, it has become more important than ever to be mindful and discover your true self. This program is a part of Harvard University’s online programs provided through edX. The lessons focus on how ancient Chinese Philosophy challenges modern assumptions and tries to bring these voices into the modern context.
The course is offered through a series of lectures, animations, discussions, and readings from prominent Chinese philosophers. The program is adapted from one of the most popular classes at Harvard, and you will get to learn from the award-winning professor, Michael Puett.
- Moral Foundations of Politics on Coursera
If you are interested in the ins and outs of politics, a philosophical outlook might allow you to gain more insight. This program by Yale University takes you through the survey of the major political theories, such as Utilitarianism and Marxism. You will look at them in a historical context and compare them to contemporary society.
The course further looks into the Enlightenment and Anti-Enlightenment of political thinking. This is not an introductory course, but one that explores how philosophy is valid in our current system, including that of economic inequality, distribution of health care, and regulation of speech.
The Bottom Line
As you can tell, philosophy is an extremely interesting course that can expand your perspectives. It does not matter which career path you are pursuing; learning philosophy can only add more value to your thinking process and personal development.
