1. 3 Teachings of Early China
Confucianism
Legalism
Daoism (Taoism)

2. What is the name of this symbol? Have you seen this before?
What do you think it represents?

3. Confucianism Confucius was born around 551 BC
When he was 15, he want to study under a nobleman, where he became the most educated man in China.
Confucius became editor of books and the 1st private teacher in China.
People from all over China sent their sons to study under him.
His teachings, called “Confucianism”, stressed the need to develop responsibility and moral character through rigid rules of behavior.

4. Confucianism
Confucianism is NOT a religion… it is a way of life and a way of behaving.
Confucianism focuses on doing the right things in life.
It became known as a very rigid “Social Code of Behavior”.

5. 5 Relationships of Confucianism
Ruler Subject
Husband Wife
Father Son
Older Brother Younger Brother
Older Friend Younger Friend

6. The Relationships…
In all the relationships, one person has AUTHORITY over the other.
The superior person in each relationship is to set a proper example for the inferior one.
Confucius stressed the idea of FILIAL PIETY – the duty and respect that children owe their parents.

7. The Analects
The Analects are an important collection of Confucius’ work.
In Chinese, the word means “conversation”.
Sayings:
Knowing what you know and knowing what you don’t know are 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.

8. Legalism
Han Fei claimed that people were basically evil but could be guided towards goodness IF Legalism was in place.
Legalists rejected the ideas of Confucianism because they believed that people could only act out of selfishness and would respond best to rewards and punishments, not to good examples.

9. Legalism
To legalists, ONLY harsh laws imposed by a strong ruler would ensure order in society.
“The Ruler Alone Possesses Power”
Major Legalist Principles:
Human nature is naturally selfish
Intellectualism and intelligence is discouraged
Law is the authority and replaces morality
Ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand
War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power

10. AUTHORITARIAN
Idea that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than have individual freedom

11. Daoism (Taoism) The founder of Daoism was Lao-Tzu
Daoism is a PHILOSOPHY – NOT a religion.
It is a way of thinking about life… accepting things for the way they are.
China’s support of Daoism ended in 1911 and is not widely practiced anymore.

12. Dao De Jing Is the basic text of Daoism
In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power
Written by Lao-Tzu

13. Daoism’s beliefs about Harmony
The three jewels sought after in Daoism are:
Compassion
Moderation
Humility (Modesty)

14. Major Daoist Principles
Dao (Tao) = the first-cause of the universe
It is the force that flows through all life
(the ultimate reality)
A believer’s goal is to become ONE with the Dao; one with NATURE
Wu wei = “Let nature take its course; “The art of doing nothing”, “Go with the flow!”
Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs, and traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.
If the Dao is not in balance, then it is impossible to find happiness.

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

16. The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance!
YIN:
Feminine
Passive
Darkness
Cold
Weak
Earth; Moon
YANG:
Masculine
Active
Light
Warmth
Strong
Heaven; Sun

17. How is Daoism unique when compared to Confucianism and Legalism?
Confucianism  Moral order in society
Legalism  Rule by harsh law & order
Daoism  Freedom for individuals and less government to avoid uniformity and conformity