CHINESE PHILOSOPHY

TAOISM

CONFUCIANISM

BUDDHISM

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM

• Tao=path or way• Beyond human concerns• Tao can be observed by

watching nature• Tao Te Ching is the primary

workGeschke/English IV

Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM• Avoid human desires

• Balance of opposites

• Not honoring men of worth

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM• Not educating

• Not encouraging the clever to act

–Causes jealousy and desire

–Opposite of Confucianism

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM• Freedom and simplicity are

required

• Paradox– A seemingly contradictory statement that

presents a profound truth– Example: A blade of grass has a better

chance of withstanding a storm than a tall, strong tree.

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

CONFUCIANISM• Righteous behavior

• Respect for superiors and elders

• Dominant ethical, social and political philosophy of China

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

CONFUCIANISM• Concerned with how people

act– Moral behavior

• Focus on social units– Family and state

– Hierarchy

– Patriarchy

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

CONFUCIANISM• Governed by ren

–Human-heartedness

• The Analects is the primary work

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

BUDDHISM• Life is sorrow

• Sorrow is caused by desires

• If you eliminate desires, you eliminate sorrow

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

BUDDHISM• Eliminate desires by

–Self-discipline

–Restraint

–Moral conduct

–Meditation

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

BUDDHISM• Emphasis on simplicity

• Emphasis on solitude

Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy