Chinese Philosophical Traditions

Libertyville HS – World History

Chinese Philosophical Traditions

Background / Context“Period of Warring

States”China descended

into chaos; culture appeared to be threatened

Chinese scholars wanted to revive values of respect, harmony and social organization

Confucius (551-479 BC)

Believed social order, harmony & good government were brought about by learning

Believed human beings could be perfected through learning

Confucius, inChinese

“Five Relationships”Confucius believed

that all society would be restored with restoration of 5 relationshipsRuler and SubjectFather and SonHusband and WifeOlder Brother and

Younger BrotherOlder Friend and

Younger Friend

Confucian IdealsBelieved personal virtue

would lead to good government

Stressed filial piety, or the need for children to respect their parents and their elders (& the living, the dead)

Education could transform a peasant into a gentleman

Believed power was something to be wielded for the benefit of the people

Filial Piety scene

Confucius’ LifeAppointed Minister

of JusticeLegend: crime

disappeared overnight

Resigned when boss interfered with his methods

Continued teaching & wrote the Analects

The AnalectsMeans “Conversation”

in ChineseCollection of sayings

attributed to ConfuciusFocus of Analects

Interpersonal relationships

Relationship of king to ministers

Relationship of government to people

Confucianism is NOT a religion!

LegalismBelieved that

government, not virtue, was the key to restoring order to China

Revered those who carried out their duty

Believed in harsh punishment for those that did not fulfill their duty

Believed that people were selfish, greedy, etc but could be made good by laws

Legalism, AppliedQin Dynasty applied Legalism to their government

Result = Authoritarian gov’tObeying government

more important than exercising individual freedom

Disagreement with government was a capital offense

Legalists suggested rulers burn all writings critical of government

Peasant rebellions against government began in far-off provinces

Local officials were afraid to report problem to central government

Central government didn’t learn of rebellions until it was too late to stop

Downfall of Legalism

DaoismLao Zi and the Dao De

Ching (The Way of Virtue)Universal force, Dao,

is a guide to all thingsNothing in nature

strives for fame, power (they are one with the Way)

Only MAN resists The Way by strivingMan questions right,

wrong; this goes against The Way (pointless question to Daoists)

Daoist Beliefs

I ChingBook of oracle bones

consulted for ethical, practical problems

Gave good advice based on common sense

Daoist BeliefsYin & Yang

Power that represent rhythm of life

When equally present, all in one’s life is calm

When one is outweighed, there is confusion / disarray in life

Yin = Heaven / Male / Active

Yang = Earth / Female / Passive

Daoism was NOT a religion but rather a way of living

The Three Philosophies, TodayConfucianism, Daoism

have shaped China for more than 2000 years’

Opposing duality of ideasConfucianism

represents individual moral duty, community standards, governmental responsibility

Daoism represents individual freedom & spontaneity, laissez faire government, mysticism

The Three Philosophies, TodayThree ideas of Legalism

have survived to todayUtilitarianism: do jobs

that materially benefit others (esp. agriculture)

Rule of Law: law is supreme over all, incl. Emperor

Uniformity of law, culture, language increases cultural coherence & gov’t centralization