Chinese Schools of Thought: Confucianism (儒), Daoism (道教), and Legalism (法家)

Review: Timeline of Ancient Dynasties Shang Dynasty: 1650-1027 BC (Section 3.3) Zhou Dynasty: 1027-256 BC (Section 3.3) Warring States Period: 475-221 BC (Section 4.4) Qin Dynasty: 221- 210 BC (Section 4.5) Han Dynasty: 206 BC- 220 AD (Section 4.5)

Warring States Period (475-221 BC) Period of competition between local clan leaders for control of China Overlapped with the end of the Zhou Dynasty because the Zhou were technically in charge, but had little control for the last 200 years of their Dynasty Many thinkers developed competing philosophies, attempting to bring stability and peace to China Competing clan leaders often developed their own philosophies

What is a philosophy? Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism are not religions. They have no gods or description of the afterlife. They are “philosophies” (systems of ideas) and are also called “schools of thought.”

Confucianism Founder was Confucius (born 551 BC) Part of a noble but poor family Wandered to local courts advising rulers on how to govern He attracted many students who wrote down his ideas after his death in a book called the Analects

Confucianism Confucianism was not widely accepted as a philosophy until after his death. It was first seen in widespread practice during the Han dynasty in China

Confucius’ Five Relationships Harmony occurs when people accept their place in society and have correct relationships: Father to son Elder brother to younger brother Husband to wife Ruler to subject Friend to friend Other considerations in relationships: Status Age Gender

Five relationships In Depth: Filial piety = respect for parents Should be put above all other duties. Especially between father and son Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding force of an enduring stable society) Ren --> humaneness, benevolence, humanity Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you. Yi --> Righteousness

Five relationships In Depth: Ruler and Subject Should be similar to the relationship between a father and son, in which a father loves and protects the son while the son obeys the father A ruler should be virtuous and well-educated

The Order of Relationships Emperor Scholar Gentry Peasants Artisans Merchants Soldiers Imperial Nobility Domestic Slaves

The Analects The single most important Confucian work. In Chinese, it means “conversation.” Focus on practicalities of interpersonal relationships and the relationship of the role of rulers and ministers to the conduct of government.

Sayings from the Analects Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows. Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake. The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others. To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

Five Relationships Writing Reflection- What do you think about the Five Relationships? Do any of them seem fair to you? Do you think we have anything similar to the five relationships today?

Legalism Founder was Hanfeizi (died 233 BC) Believed that all people were naturally evil The only way to achieve order was strict laws and harsh punishments The best ruler was strict and merciless

Legalism and Government “The love of the early kings for their children could not surpass the love of parents' for their children, so if parents love does not inevitably result in their children not being unruly, how can the love of kings make their people orderly?” How were Hanfeizi’s ideas different from those of Confucius?

Legalism and Government Many clan leaders chose legalism- why? Official policy of the Qin Emperor, Shi Huangdi, who united China after the Warring States Period. Qin emperor Shi Huangdi was cruel and many later Chinese people hated legalism because of him.

Daoism/ Taoism Founder was Laozi- contemporary of Confucius Little is known about his life He is credited with writing The Way of Virtue

Daoism and “The Way” Daoists sought to live in harmony with nature and Dao, or “the way” of the universe. Tried to avoid conflict and simply “go with the flow” Daoists believed government was unnatural and should be as small as possible “Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.” These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi. If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book, Of five thousand words?

Major Daoist Principals 1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. [“The butterfly or the man?” story.] 3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.” --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to man-made laws, customs, & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.

The Dao (Tao) To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must escape by: 1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning. 2. Relying on the senses and instincts. 3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.

Daoism and Government “A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” How were Laozi’s ideas different from those of Confucius and Hanfeizi?

Philosophies Compared Confucianism --> Moral order in society. Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order. Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity.

The Tao of Pooh "While Eeyore frets ...  ... and Piglet hesitates ... and Rabbit calculates  ... and Owl pontificates ...Pooh just is.” Tao of Pooh Video Clip “When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?“ "What's for breakfast? said Pooh. "What do you say, Piglet?“ "I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet. Pooh nodded thoughtfully. "It's the same thing," he said.