chinese philosophies & doctrines: 100 schools of thought · confucianist or daoist or legalist?...

Chinese Philosophies &

Doctrines:

100 Schools of Thought

Confucianism, Daoism & Legalism

Confucianism

• 522 B.C.E- Confucius begins to teach

• (Founder Kongfuzi...Confucius)

• Taught social harmony and good

government would come to China if

people lived according to principles of

ethics, good conduct and moral

judgment

• “Do not do unto others as you would not

want others to do unto you”

Main Beliefs

• Focus on Harmony in Society through…

• 5 Basic Relationships:

• Ruler/Subjects

• Parent/Child

• Husband/Wife

• Old/Young

• Friend/Friend

• Each relationship had certain responsibilities to follow (479 B.C.E- teachings were collected into works called Analects)

• All relationships (except the last), involve the authority of one person over another

• Power and the right to rule belong to superiors over subordinates

• Each person has to give obedience and respect to "superiors“

• The "superior," however, owes loving responsibility to the inferior and must set a good example

5 Basic Relationships


Ruler

• Acts justly

• Strives to improve the

welfare of his people

• Is worthy of loyalty

Subjects

• Are loyal

• Serve their ruler

• Honor their ruler

because of his

position and character


Parent (father)

• Is kind

• Gives protection

• Provides Education

Child (son)

• Shows respect (filial

piety)

• Accepts father’s

guidance

• Cares for him in old

age and performs the

customary burial

ceremonies


Husband

• Carries out his family

duties

• Is honorable and

faithful

• Provides for his wife

and family

Wife

• Looks after the home

• Is obedient

• Diligently meets the

needs of her husband

and children

Elder (teacher,

older brother)

• Sets an example of

refinement and good

behavior

• Shows consideration

toward younger

people

Younger (student,

younger brother)

• Respects the character

and experience of the

elder

• Defers to the advice of

those with more

experience

• Is eager to learn



Friend

• Is equal to his friend

and must have

respect for him

Friend

• Is equal to his friend

and must have respect

for him

Legalism – Major Beliefs

• Founder- Hanfeizi (200’s

B.C.E.)

• Like Confucianism stressed

importance of an orderly

society, but in the opposite

way

• Belief in highly efficient and

powerful government along

with harsh law were the key to

restoring power

Legalism – Major Beliefs

• People were by nature selfish

and untrustworthy thus peace

and prosperity only achieved

by threatening severe

punishment

Daoism (Taoism)

• Daoist ideas traced to teachings of a

scholar named Laozi

• 500 B.C.E. emerges as a major

philosophy

• Emphasized harmony

with nature- rejected

formal social structures

and idea that people

must fill specific roles

in society

Daoism (Taoism)

• People should renounce worldly

ambitions and turn to nature and the Dao (“the Way”), universal force that

guides all things

• Where Confucianism provided one’s

place in the social order, Daoism

emphasized harmony within the

individual, one could be both

Ying & Yang

• Chinese theory related to Daoism

• Two opposing forces believed to

be present in all nature

• Yin- cool, dark, female, and submissive

• Yang- warm, light, male, and aggressive

• For harmony the two must be in

balance

Practice: Who Said it? Confucianist, Daoist or Legalist?

• “Heaven is long lasting and earth is

enduring. The reason why heaven and

earth can live long and endure is that they

do not live only for themselves.”

Daoist

Who Said It?

Confucianist or Daoist or Legalist?

Who Said It?


• “To govern is to set things right. If you begin by setting yourself right, who will dare to deviate from the right?”

Confucianist

Who Said It?


• "The only way for a ruler to rule is with an iron fist and pen to write strict laws."

Legalist

Who Said It?


• “Indeed, customs differ between the past and the present. To try to govern the people of a chaotic age with benevolence and lenient measures is like trying to drive wild horses without reins and whips.”

Legalist

Who Said It?


• “When the people are subjected to overmuch government, the land is thrown into confusion.”

Daoist

Who Said It?


• “China without a recognizable leader is preferable to foreigners with all their leaders.”

Confucianist

Who Said It?


• “The highest good is like water. Water benefits all things generously and is without strife.”

Daoist

Who Said It?


• “Leave all things to take their natural course and do not interfere…what is contrary to the Way soon perishes.”

Daoist

Who Said It?


• "People respond to punishment and rewards, not other people's behavior."

Legalist

Who Said It?


• “Sometimes I have gone a whole day

without food and a whole night without

sleep, giving myself to thought. It was no

use. It is better to learn.”

Confucianist

Who Said It?


• “When it comes to uncles, brothers, and

chief vassals, he should punish them

when their advice leads to failure, and

promote them when their advice leads to

success. He should not promote them

erratically.”

Legalist

Who Said It?


• “Let the sole worry of your parents be that you might become ill.”

Confucianist

Who Said It?


• “Do not worry about NOT holding high positions; worry rather about playing your proper role.”

Confucianist

Who Said It?


• “If the Way prevails on earth, horses will

be used for purposes of agriculture. If the

Way does not prevail, war-horses will be

bred.”

Daoist

chinese philosophies & doctrines: 100 schools of thought · confucianist or daoist or legalist?...

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