1. SECTION 4- Philosophies of Ancient China
Chinese philosophers and teachers sought ways to understand the universe and the human condition.

2. Ancient Chinese Beliefs
1. Dualism- the two-sidedness of nature. 2. Everything in the world is a balance of the two forces of nature. 3. Yin- female, dark, and passive force. 4. Yang- male, bright, and active force.

3. Ancient Chinese Beliefs
5. Forces work together to achieve balance. 6. Helps explain natural events like the weather and changes in season.

4. Confucianism
1. Leading philosopher of Zhou era was Confucius (551 B.C.-479 B.C.) 2. Main ideas contained in the Analects collected by his followers. 3. Teachings become known as Confucianism.

5. Learning from the past to improve the future
Confucianism
A political and social philosophy seeking social harmony on all levels:
Within the self
…the family
…the community
...the state
…the nation
…the world
…the cosmos
Learning from the past to improve the future

6. Goal of Confucianism
To develop one’s Jen: Human Heartedness - the innate goodness of humanity
Thus becoming a Chun Tzu: the “Great Man” or “Gentle Man”
Jen is developed through intentional living by Confucian virtues…

7. Confucian Virtues
Filial Piety (Hsiao) - respect for the five constant relationships:
Parent and child
Husband & wife
Older & younger sibling
Older & younger friend
Ruler & subject
Human-heartedness is developed only within the context of human relationships

8. More Confucian Virtues
Rectification of names – a person or thing should be true to its name
Recipricity (shu) – the Golden Rule:
“Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you”
Li (rites, ritual) – the inherent “pattern” in things
For Confucius, Li is especially significant in a social context – propriety or etiquette, the “pattern” of humane behavior

9. Confucianism as a Religion
Deification of Confucius - statues
Confucian Temples – honoring Confucius
Veneration of the ancestors
Rituals within…
the household
the village
the state
the nation

10. Confucianism 4. Confucianism- most important Chinese philosophy.
5. Importance of family, respect for elders, respect for ancestors.
6. Philosophy concerned with ending political disorder.
7. Believed in a strong, but moral government.

11. Confucianism
8. People should accept their role in society and fulfill that role. 9. The government and leaders should be virtuous (truthful.) 10. Mencius was a follower of Confucius (372 B.C B.C.)

12. Confucius and Laozi
11. Good rulers would be supported, bad rulers had to be removed. 12. Daoism- philosophy founded by Laozi. 13. Means “The Way”- importance of nature, harmony, and balance.

13. Confucius and Laozi
14. Don’t look for wealth and stay out of politics. 15. Laozi’s writings contained in the Dao De Jing. 16. Both philosophies important in China.