THE 3 ETHICAL SYSTEMS

The Zhou Dynasty had lasted for 800 years, 1027 BCE to 256 BCE. For the first 300 years, the Zhou kings controlled a large empire.

Local rulers represented the king, but the king had ultimate power. By the end of the Zhou Dynasty, the lords of dependent territories began to think of themselves as independent kings.

Their bloody, internal fighting led to the decline of the Zhou and to the Warring States Period.

China’s ancient values of social order, harmony, and respect for authority, were forgotten during the Warring States Period.

To restore these values, Chinese scholars and philosophers developed different solutions.

CONFUCIUS

Confucius believed that social order, harmony, and good government could be restored in China if Chinese society was organized around five basic relationships.

Ruler and Subject Father and Son Husband and Wife Older brother and younger brother Friend and friend

Confucius stressed that children should practice filial piety, or respect for their parents and elders.

Confucius spent most of his life teaching. The only record of his ideas were the writings of his students collected in a work called The Analects

A disciple called Mencius spread Confucian ideas. Both Confucius and Mencius thought that leaders should be virtuous.

Taoism For Confucius, the social order of family and government was most important.

Laozi, who like Confucius, lived in the sixth century BCE, believed that only the natural order was important.

Laozi’s book, Dao De Ching, (The Way of Virtue) expressed his belief in the natural order. A universal force, that Laozi called “The Way,” guides all things.

Laozi

The philosophy of Laozi came to be known as Taoism. Its search for knowledge and understanding of nature led Taoism’s followers to pursue scientific studies.

Taoists made contributions to the sciences of metallurgy, astronomy, and medicine.

LEGALISM In contrast to Confucianism and Taoism, was a group of practical, political thinkers called the Legalists.

They believed that a highly efficient and powerful government was the key to restoring order.

They got their name from their belief that government should use the law to end civil disorder and restore harmony.

In practice, the Legalists stressed punishments more than rewards. They also believed in controlling ideas as well as actions.

They suggested burning books that might encourage people to think critically about government.

The ideas of the Legalists would find favor with the dynasty that would replace the Zhou, the Qin.

But how were the peasant or small tradesman impacted by the Ethical Systems of China? They weren’t

The Simple Folk Everyday people were not concerned with the debates of the three ethical systems.

They put their faith in the I Ching, a book of oracles that helped people lead a happy life by dispensing good advice and simple common sense.

Ancient thinkers developed the concept of Yin and Yang, two powers that together represented the material rhythms of life.

Yin and Yang

Yang represents the masculine qualities in the universe and Yin the feminine. Both forces represent the rhythm of the universe and compliment each other.

Both the I Ching and the Yin and Yang helped Chinese people understand how they fit into the world.

The Qin The Qin emerged as the ruling dynasty at the end of the Warring States Period. A 13 year old prince was convinced by his advisors to move against rival states.

When he came to the throne, he used the ideas of the Legalists to subdue the various warring states and unify his country.

After 20 years, the young ruler took the name Shi Huangdi After 20 years, the young ruler took the name Shi Huangdi. (First Emperor) His victories doubled China’s size.

“Strengthening the Trunk…” Shi Huangdi instituted a policy called “Strengthening the trunk, weakening the branches.” He commanded all noble families to live in the capitol city, under his suspicious gaze.

This edict uprooted 120,000 noble families. Seizing their land, Shi Huangdi carved China into 36 administrative districts.

Qin officials were sent to control the districts. To silence criticism, the emperor murdered hundreds of Confucian scholars.

He ordered books on Confucian thought and poetry burned as “useless.” Practical books on farming and medicine were spared.

Shi Huangdi made sweeping changes to standardize his empire.

Uniform standards were set for… Writing Law Currency Weights and Measures Length of cart axles

Irrigation projects were increased As a result, farm production increased Trade grew But…

…scholars hated Shi Huangdi for his book burning. Poor people hated him for his policy of forced labor to build a unified wall to repel invaders.

Zhou rulers had earlier built smaller walls to keep invaders out. Shi Huangdi was determined to close the gaps and unify the wall.

When completed, the Great Wall would stretch 1400 miles to the west.

After the death of Shi Huangdi, his son takes over as emperor. He was ineffective. Peasants rebel

The Mandate of Heaven was about to be passed to a new dynasty.

One peasant leader from the province of Han, marched his army into the capitol in 202 BCE. The Han Dynasty was born.