Chinese Philosophy

Chinese PhilosophyConfucianism, Legalism, & Daoism

Textbook pages 82-86

What is philosophy?

• Philosophy: the study, or pursuit of, knowledge and wisdom

• Philosopher: one who searches for knowledge and wisdom

Confucianism

• Kongfuzi (Confucius)- Chinese philosopher, lived from approximately 551-479 B.C.E• Influenced by the political turmoil of the

time• Believed that disorder was because rulers

were not governing properly

Confucianism

• People are basically good, but need training to behave well• Family (basics)• Assembled by society

Confucius- Five Virtues

• Confucius identified five virtues and five relationships that were building blocks of harmonious society

• Virtues:1) Honest

2) Upright

3) Conscientious

4) Charitable

5) loving

Rulers were expected to set an example of the five virtues

Confucius- Five Relationships

• Confucius believed that everyone had duties & responsibilities

• Five relationships:1) father and son2) ruler and subject3) older and younger brothers4) husband and wife5) friend and friend

Five Relationships- Continued

Superior position treat inferiors with love and kindness

Inferior positions owed superiors respect and obedience

Confucius

• Conclusion: Confucius’ ideas based on ethics and morals

• After death, honoured as one of China’s great teachers

• Principles important to Chinese society

Legalism

• Developed around same time as Confucianism

• Hans Feizi- most prominent writer

• Beliefs:• Government more important than people• Government should be strong, not virtuous• Humans, by nature, are greedy• Only way to orderly society= strict

government and harsh punishment

Legalism

• Chinese people followed Confucian ideas of government

• Chinese criminal followed Legalist ideas

What do you think this would mean?

- Strict- Major crimes punished severely

Legalism- China’s Code of Laws

• China’s first recorded code of laws- 400 B.C.E• What dynasty would this have been during?

• Law had six sections, with laws on:1) Theft

2) Violence

3) Detention

4) Arrest

5) Miscellaneous laws

6) General laws

Laws and Conviction

• Accused had to prove innocence

• Is this like Canadian law, today?

• Five basic penalties:1)Death by strangulation or decapitation2)Exile3)Imprisonment4)Beating with a heavy stick5)Beating with a light stick

-Collective punishment: families or villages could be punished for the crime of one person

Daoism

• Began during Warring States• What were the “Warring States?”

• Laozi- Daoism based on this philosopher

• Daoist goal to live in harmony with nature• “following the Dao” achieving harmony• Believed that this could be achieved by

studying nature• Did not want to interfere with nature,

upsetting nature order

Daoism

• Doists- believed that nature’s harmony could be copied in human society• Didn’t like rules believe it was forcing people

to act a certain way, instead of letting them behave naturally

• Also opposed to money and education

Daoism and Immortality

• Doists sought immortality• Following the Dao• Strengthening their Qi (life force)• Breathing properly• Taking proper medicines

• Alchemists• Experimented with plants and metals in search of

the elixir of life• Daoist experiments important discoveries in

medicine and metallurgy