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15 Best Philosophy Courses on edX

CourseAsk brings together a curated selection of philosophy courses offered through edX, letting you compare key details at a glance. The list includes fifteen courses ranging from introductory critical thinking to specialised studies in Buddhism, humanism and the philosophical implications of technology, with prices from $49.00 up to $267.30 as listed by the providers at the time of writing. All courses are hosted on the edX platform and are delivered by recognised universities such as Harvard, Georgetown, and the University of Queensland, among others. Whether you are a beginner seeking a broad overview or a learner with a specific interest in ethics, religion or the intersection of philosophy and science, this collection aims to help you identify the options that match your goals and budget.

Courses compared
15
Price range
$49.00 – $267.30
Providers
edX
Last updated
18 Sep 2026
How these 15 courses were chosen

Every course below is a real, currently listed course from edX, matched to "philosophy" by our catalog and ordered by our CourseAsk score. Courses whose own title names the topic rank above those only tagged with it.

The grade on each entry scores how much the provider publishes about the course before you pay — the length and detail of the description, whether it lists learning outcomes and objectives — and whether a named university or institution stands behind it. A is fully documented and institution-backed; E is little more than a title and a price. Courses with almost nothing published are left ungraded rather than marked down, because an unknown course and a poor one are not the same thing.

There are no star ratings on this page — the course feeds we license do not include them, and we would rather leave a column out than fill it with a number we cannot stand behind. What we do have is price: these range from $49.00 to $267.30, as listed by the provider when we last updated the page.

  1. 1
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Trial Lessons: Philosophy and Computer Science

    Offered by University of Bayreuth

    Open to a new degree? Try it! This compact course will offer you a glimpse into the master's programme Philosophy & Computer Science at the University of Bayreuth in Germany. Throughout seven chapters, you will gain insi...

  2. 2
    edX MOOC / Non-credit University-backed

    Philosophy and Critical Thinking

    Offered by The University of Queensland

    META101Ax: Thinking about thinking

    $99.00
    listed price
  3. 3
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Chinese Culture: Tradition, Transformation and Interaction

    Offered by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

    This course explores the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, examining its traditions, transformations, and the interactions that have shaped it over time. You'll gain insights into how historical events and modern influen...

    $267.30
    listed price
  4. 4
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Theo-Humanism: God's Ways in Today's World

    Offered by Georgetown University

    This course is based on a classical method of theology that begins from the workings of our own humanity. Drawing on a heritage of humanistic literature, enriched by the work of university experts across disciplines, thi...

    $179.00
    listed price
  5. 5
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Managing Happiness

    Offered by Harvard University

    Managing Happiness encourages you to explore the science of happiness, allowing you to find your truest self. Through cutting-edge survey tools, the best research, and trends in social science, positive psychology, neuro...

    $219.00
    listed price
  6. 6
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Indian & Tibetan River of Buddhism

    Offered by Columbia University

    Explore an overview of the history and philosophy of Buddhism throughout India, South and Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Central Asia, featuring the basics of the Buddhist view of reality and its educational principles of sc...

    $49.99
    listed price
  7. 7
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Buddhism Through Its Scriptures.

    Offered by Harvard University

    Learn about the rich and diverse beliefs and practices of Buddhists across time and place. Experience Buddhism through its scriptures, both relationally as well as academically.

    $149.00
    listed price
  8. 8
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C Lowest price here University-backed

    Libertarian Free Will: Neuroscientific and Philosophical Evidence

    Offered by Dartmouth College

    Yes, we have free will! This course will explore Libertarian Free Will and discuss philosophical arguments and neuroscientific evidence for and against its existence.

    $49.00
    listed price
  9. 9
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Religionsphilosophie

    Offered by RWTH Aachen University

    Im MOOC nutzen Sie philosophische Werkzeuge, um ‚Religion‘ als Phänomen besser zu verstehen und um über religiöse Überzeugungen nachzudenken.

    $59.00
    listed price
  10. 10
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    The Einstein Revolution

    Offered by Harvard University

    Traces Albert Einstein’s engagement with relativity, quantum mechanics, Nazism, nuclear weapons, philosophy, the arts, and technology.

    $149.00
    listed price
  11. 11
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    China Humanities: The Individual in Chinese Culture

    Offered by Harvard University

    Explore Chinese history and culture from the perspective of the individual through philosophical texts, literary works, and art.

    $149.00
    listed price
  12. 12
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C University-backed

    Hinduism Through Its Scriptures.

    Offered by Harvard University

    Learn about the rich diversity of Hindu sacred texts – hymns, narratives, philosophical thought – and their interpretations.

    $149.00
    listed price
  13. 13
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C

    Rabbi Sacks - A Window to Jewish Thought

    Offered by BIU

    An engaging journey through the thought of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks — a leader, philosopher, and interpreter — offering a living bridge between Jewish tradition and universal thought, for all who seek to understand the...

    $120.00
    listed price
  14. 14
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade C

    Ethics in Action

    Offered by SDG Academy

    What do the world's great religious and secular philosophies have to say about ethical conduct? Which virtues are common across faiths? And what role do religious communities have to play in building a more just and sust...

    $59.00
    listed price
  15. 15
    edX MOOC / Non-credit Grade D University-backed

    HOPE: What Makes Us Human

    Offered by Tel Aviv University

    What sets us apart, and brings us together, as humans? How can we live up to our humanity? HOPE is an open invitation to become better at being human, to realize our humanity. Join HOPE to discover what it means to be us...

Best Philosophy Courses on edX compared

# Course Provider Offered by Price
1 Trial Lessons: Philosophy and Computer Science edX University of Bayreuth View →
2 Philosophy and Critical Thinking edX The University of Queensland $99.00 View →
3 Chinese Culture: Tradition, Transformation and Interaction edX The Hong Kong Polytechnic University $267.30 View →
4 Theo-Humanism: God's Ways in Today's World edX Georgetown University $179.00 View →
5 Managing Happiness edX Harvard University $219.00 View →
6 Indian & Tibetan River of Buddhism edX Columbia University $49.99 View →
7 Buddhism Through Its Scriptures. edX Harvard University $149.00 View →
8 Libertarian Free Will: Neuroscientific and Philosophical Evidence edX Dartmouth College $49.00 View →
9 Religionsphilosophie edX RWTH Aachen University $59.00 View →
10 The Einstein Revolution edX Harvard University $149.00 View →
11 China Humanities: The Individual in Chinese Culture edX Harvard University $149.00 View →
12 Hinduism Through Its Scriptures. edX Harvard University $149.00 View →
13 Rabbi Sacks - A Window to Jewish Thought edX BIU $120.00 View →
14 Ethics in Action edX SDG Academy $59.00 View →
15 HOPE: What Makes Us Human edX Tel Aviv University View →

Prices shown are the provider's listed price when we last updated this page. Confirm on their site before enrolling.

What the prices here tell you

The 13 priced courses on this page run from $49.00 to $267.30, with the middle of the range around $149.00 — a spread of $218.30. That is a wide gap for one subject. A higher price on this page usually reflects who is behind the course rather than how much material it contains, so it is worth opening two or three at different price points and comparing their syllabus before deciding.

Who is behind these courses

These courses come from edX. Everything on this page is sold on the one platform, so the buying experience is the same whichever you pick. 9 of these are produced by a named university or institution, including University of Bayreuth, The University of Queensland and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — which usually means a fixed syllabus and a recognised certificate, rather than an individual instructor’s own course.

Before you enrol

Open the provider’s own page and check three things this comparison cannot tell you: when the course was last updated, what the syllabus actually covers in its later sections, and what recent learners say. Prices shown here are the provider’s listed price when we last rebuilt this page on 18 September 2026 — they change often, and a promotion can move them substantially. We earn a commission if you enrol through our links, which costs you nothing and never affects the order courses appear in.

Frequently asked questions

How should I decide which philosophy course is right for me?
Consider your current knowledge level, the specific topics that interest you and the amount you are willing to spend. Courses like "Philosophy and Critical Thinking" provide a general foundation, while others such as "Libertarian Free Will" focus on a narrow theme. Reviewing the course description and any listed prerequisites can also guide your choice.
Do these courses require any prior study in philosophy?
Most of the courses on this page are designed for learners without formal background in philosophy, but a few, particularly those that delve into specialised subjects, may suggest basic familiarity with related concepts. The individual course pages will note any recommended prior knowledge.
What formats and durations can I expect?
All courses are delivered online via the edX platform and follow a self‑paced structure, allowing you to study alongside other commitments. The exact length varies by course; some are short modules of a few weeks, while others span several months, as indicated in each course’s details.
Are the listed prices fixed or subject to change?
The prices shown reflect the provider’s listed fee at the time of writing and may be adjusted by the institutions later. Some courses also offer financial aid or promotional discounts, so it is worth checking the edX site for the most current pricing before enrolling.

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