Ancient Chinese Civilization

Philosophy & Culture

Ancient China1. Emphasized the duality of nature; the Yin and the

Yang. Yin is female, dark, & passive. Yang is male, bright, & active. The two sides depend on each other.

2. Believed that extreme circumstances do not last long, and things have a way of leveling out.

Confucianism1. Kong Fuzi lived from 551 to 479 BCE

2. Was a philosopher-teacher, gained many followers, and wrote The Analects

3. His philosophy has been more influential than the works of any other Chinese Philosopher

4. Taught moral lessons, such as the important of family and respect for elders and ancestors.

5. Emphasized Education, Politics, and social problems

Cont.1. His Political Ideas: End political disorder

A: Every person should participate in Government.

B: Government should set a moral example.

2. Virtue is treating others with kindness. “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others.”

3. Wanted to become a moral advisor to leaders, but that never directly happened.

4. Three Hundred years after his death he was being Deitized.

Daoism1. Laozi lived in the 500s BCE and founded Daoism.

2. The Dao is the Way of Nature and is a force that governs the universe and all in it.

3. People should not strive for riches of power. Instead, one can reach harmony with the Dao by being quiet, humble, and thoughtful.

4. Second most influential thought in China, and was the Yin to Confucianism’s Yang

Legalism1. All About Politics

2. Believed in Power and harsh laws

3. People are selfish and evil. They will only do the right thing when forced to do so.

4. Shi Huangdi, the first Qin emperor, utilized this philosophy. It was later believed that the downfall of the Qin dynasty was caused by Legalism.

Buddhism in China1. First came to China during the Han Dynasty

2. Mahayana Buddhists were, and still are, much more common.

3. Remember, in Mahayana Buddhism, Buddha is seen as a God and there are many temples and ceremonies.

4. Its emphasis on charity and compassion has been very influential.

Culture1. Families were of the utmost importance, and the father

ruled the family.2. Marriages were arranged, careers were chosen for sons,

and women were subordinate to their husbands, but were respected by all.

3. Mothers-in-law were the most important women.4. Most were small village farmers5. The Chinese invented paper and were widely known for

their dyed cloth.6. They also invented acupuncture, a medical technique in

which the doctor inserts needles into certain points of the body to enable the life-force energy to move properly.