Vassar Moodle

In this course, we explore the fundamental question “What is a good life?” by drawing on Western and Asian (Indian and Chinese) philosophical traditions. Students will engage with diverse perspectives on human flourishing, happiness, and meaning, examining how different cultural and historical contexts shape our understanding of what constitutes a good life. By critically engaging with thinkers from different philosophical traditions, students will develop skills to evaluate what constitutes a good life, as well as to examine their own assumptions and beliefs about the nature of a good life. By the end of the semester, students will have gained a broad perspective on this timeless question and developed the analytical tools to continue exploring it throughout their lives.