Confucianism VS Daoism VS Legalism All by Jaya D.

Confucianism 儒 Confucianism is an Eastern religion/philosophy. Although it is more accurately referred to as a philosophy, books on world religions inevitably include it with other religions from Buddhism to Zoroastrianism. It originated in China but has spread to Korea, Taiwan and Vietnam. Most people who adhere to the teachings of Confucius follow Chinese traditional religion, which is a blending of Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and traditional local practices and beliefs. http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuciu.htm

Daoism Daoism begins with Lao Tzu (Laozi) who lived in the 6th century B.C. He was looking for a way to avoid the constant feudal warfare of his day that disrupted society. Lao Tzu allegedly wrote the Tao Te Ching (“The Way and Its Power”). It explains essential Daoist beliefs.   Along with Buddhism and Confucianism, Daoism became one of the three great religions of China. http://www.theologicalstudies.org/page/page/4368801.htm

Legalism In contrast to Daoism's patient ways, and Confucianism's nonviolence ways, Legalism is a Classical Chinese philosophy that emphasizes the need for order above all other human concerns. The political doctrine developed during the brutal years of the Fourth Century BCE (Schafer 83). The Legalists believed that government could only become a science if rulers were not deceived by pious, impossible ideals such as "tradition" and "humanity." In the view of the Legalists, attempts to improve the human situation by noble example, education, and ethical precepts were useless. Instead, the people needed a strong government and a carefully devised code of law, along with a policing force that would stringently and impartially enforce these rules and punish harshly even the most minor infractions. The Ch'in founder based his rule on these totalitarian principles, and had strong hopes that his government would endure forever. http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/chinese_legalism.html

I really hope you’ve learned a lot!

SITATIONS "CONFUCIANISM." ReligiousTolerance.org by the Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Web. 03 May 2011. <http://www.religioustolerance.org/confuciu.htm>. "Daoism." TheologicalStudies.org. Web. 03 May 2011. <http://www.theologicalstudies.org/page/page/4368801.htm>. "Legalism and Chinese Philosophy." Web. 03 May 2011. <http://web.cn.edu/kwheeler/chinese_legalism.html>.