1. Throughout Chinese history, there have been many great philosophers.
E. Napp

2. Confucianism
Confucius, an important philosopher living during the Zhou dynasty, sought a way to establish peace and harmony.
He believed that a harmonious society depended on Five Relationships.
In four of Confucius’ Five Relationships, an inferior had to obey a superior person.
E. Napp

3. The proper functioning of society depended
on these Five Relationships according to
Confucius.
E. Napp

4. Laozi
Laozi, another Chinese philosopher living during the Zhou dynasty, disagreed with Confucius.
He believed that people needed to live close to nature and follow natural ways or the Dao.
His philosophy is called Daoism.
E. Napp

5. A Daoist understands that a bird is not
a fish. A bird does not try to live in water.
E. Napp

6. The Yin-Yang is a popular Daoist or
Taoist symbol.
E. Napp

7. Legalism Legalism was another Chinese philosophy.
Unlike Confucianism and Daoism, Legalists believed that people were inherently selfish.
Due to their selfishness, wrongdoers had to be punished harshly to prevent future transgressions.
E. Napp

8. During the Qin dynasty, Legalism was the official philosophy of China.
E. Napp

9. While all three philosophies greatly
influenced China, Confucianism became
the official philosophy of dynastic China.
E. Napp

10. It is important to remember that during the
Han dynasty, a scholar had to pass a test
on Chinese history and Confucianism to
work in the government.
E. Napp

11. In Confucianism, a son must obey his
father.
E. Napp

12. In Daoism, people are encouraged to live
naturally.
E. Napp

13. Questions for Reflection:
List the Five Relationships of Confucianism and explain the proper functioning of each relationship.
Why do Daoists look to nature for understanding?
Why do Legalists believe that harsh punishments are necessary?
Which philosophy had the greatest impact on Chinese history? Why?
E. Napp