Three Chinese Philosophies Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism

The Zhou Dynasty After taking over from the Shang around 1100 BC, the Zhou held China for several centuries. Historians often divide the Zhou dynasty into two periods. During the first period, kings ruled from Xian (Chang’an). This was generally a peaceful period, during which the Zhou made many cultural achievements. Later, however, conflict arose in China. This is call the Warring States Period.

Government To gain acceptance for their rule, the Zhou introduced the idea that they ruled by the Mandate of Heaven. This principle stated that the gods would support a just ruler, but they would not allow anyone corrupt to hold power. The reason the Shang were overthrown, the Zhou explained, was because they had lost the gods’ favor: “We do not presume to know and say that the lords of [Shang] received Heaven’s mandate for so- and-so many years; we do not know and say that it could not have been prolonged. It was that they did not reverently attend to their virtue and so they prematurely threw away their mandate.” — Duke of Zhou, quoted in Sources of Chinese Tradition

Feudalism Under feudalism, the king owned all the land. The king gave land to supporters called lords. In exchange, lords supplied soldiers to the king. The lords had absolute power over the peasants.

Hundred Schools of Thought The conflicts of the late Zhou period led many Chinese thinkers to question the nature of society and of people’s roles in it. The effort to make sense of the chaos led to the creation of many new Chinese philosophies, or ways of looking at the world.

The Three Most Influential Schools Confucianism teaches proper behavior and leading by example. Daoism teaches simple living and that the best rulers rule the least. Legalism teaches that people are selfish and most be ruled with an iron fist.

Confucius Confucianism is based on the teachings of a scholar named Kongfuzi, better known in the West as Confucius. Born around 550 BCE, Confucius believed that people should treat one another humanely. Confucius believed love and respect had disappeared during his lifetime and that its disappearance was responsible for the violence in society. He believed that by restoring a respect for tradition, society would once again become stable and orderly.

Confucianism In The Analects, Confucius states that a ruler should treat his subjects fairly. In turn, subjects should reward their ruler with respect and loyalty. People need to respect the members of their family. Children must respect their parents and elder relatives, and parents have to care for their children with love and kindness. It is the duty of all educated people to devote themselves to public service.

The Influence of Confucianism Confucius’s ideas were influential in Chinese history for centuries. He wrote that a ruler should be advised by qualified, well-informed people, which led China’s emperors to select civil servants based on merit rather than birth.

The Founder of Daoism The exact origins of Daoism (Taoism) are unclear, but many Daoist teachings are attributed to a philosopher named Laozi (Lao Tzu). He was among the first people in China to write about Daoist beliefs, which he did in a book called the Dao De Jing. Dao De Jing includes a number of short sayings that summarize Daoist thought.

The Teachings of Daoism (Taoism) At the heart of Daoism is the concept of the dao, or the way. Through the dao, all things in nature are connected. Daoism encourages people to retreat from the laws of society and yield to the laws of nature. By finding one’s place in nature, it is possible for a person to achieve harmony with the universe. A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. Great acts are made up of small deeds. The truth is not always beautiful, nor beautiful words the truth. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” Time is a created thing. To say 'I don't have time,' is like saying, 'I don't want to.’ Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking.

Yin and Yang Daoism embraced an ancient Chinese concept, the notion of yin and yang. Yin and yang represent the balancing aspect of nature: male and female, dark and light, hot and cold. Neither yin nor yang can exist without the other, so it is important that the two remain balanced. When balanced, yin and yang represent the perfect harmony of nature.

The Influence of Daoism Daoism encouraged rulers to rule less harshly. Daoism was an important influence on Chinese thought, writing and art.

The Founder of Legalism Legalism was a political philosophy that did not address higher questions like the nature and purpose of life. Legalism’s most famous proponent and contributor was Hanfeizi (Han-fei-tzu).

The Teachings of Legalism Legalism advocated the belief that all people are selfish and that strict laws and harsh punishments are required to keep them in order. Rulers needed to have total power and a strong military.

The Influence of Legalism Legalism was the central governing idea of the Qin Dynasty, culminating in the unification of China under the 'First Emperor' (Qin Shihangdi).