What does it mean to live a worthy life? This is one of the most fundamental questions of human existence and this course addresses this question through an engagement with various philosophical and religious traditions, including contemporary advocates of those traditions (by interview). These traditions include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity, Islam and Secular Humanism. We discuss how the teachings of important historical figures from these traditions have influenced the choices of people over the centuries, and how they have been adopted in contemporary society. We examine how these figures regard the place of bodily pleasures, intellectual pursuits, power, status, possessions, accomplishments, virtues, relationship with other human beings and the relationship (or not) with the transcendent in their vision of a good life.

What are ‘Internet Memes,’ and what do they tell us about our humanity in an age of artificiality? This course explores the fun and fascinating world of internet memes and their significance in the digital age, particularly in the context of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students will delve into the evolution of memes, from handcrafted digital content to AI-assisted creations, and examine how AI influences the form and content of these social media artifacts.  We will address fundamental questions about the meaning and significance of memes, using lenses of aesthetic philosophies, hermeneutics, and digital technology. We will also explore ways to develop virtue in the humorous but often divisive world of social media. 

As HKU’s flagship character leadership program, Lead for Life offers a transformational two-year journey designed to cultivate lifelong leaders. We empower students to excel throughout their university experience while equipping them with the character needed to build flourishing communities, both today and in the future.

Cities are said to be our greatest inventions. As spatial, political, socio-economic, and cultural centres in their environs, they are demonstrations of human ingenuity, power, and capacity to manipulate resources and the environment. They also play crucial roles in shaping human development on both individual and collective levels, as such, defining our civilizations. This course invites students to explore the making and remaking of cities and their impact on the development of urban societies, from the rise of cities in the fourth millennium BC in ancient West Asia to the emergence of metropolitan cities and megacity regions in today’s world.