1. Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

2.   Confucius was known as the “First Teacher”  He lived from 551 BC to 479 BC  His ideas were written down in the Analects and spread around China by his followers Confucianism

3.   Confucius believed in the Dao, or the “Way”  Two parts of the Dao were duty and humanity  Duty meant putting the interests of others and the community above your own  Duty is also called “work ethic” – if each individual worked hard to fulfill his or her duties, society as a whole would prosper Confucianism

4.   Five Constant Relationships  Parent to child  Loving and reverent  Husband to wife  Fulfill duties and obedience  Older sibling and younger sibling  Kind and respectful  Older friend and younger friend  Considerate and deferential  Ruler and subject  Benevolent and loyal Confucianism

5.   Humanity meant compassion and empathy for others  “Do not do unto others what you would not wish done to yourself”  What is another way to say this quote? Confucianism

6.   Finally, Confucianism argued that society would be best if run by men of superior talent (merit), not who had the most money  This belief frightened the aristocrats of the time, who held power based on their family ties Confucianism

7.   Daoism is a system of ideas based on the teachers of Laozi  Laozi lived around the same time as Confucius (5 th -4 th century BC)  Historians are not actually sure if Laozi existed, because the only evidence they have is the book that he wrote, “The Way of the Dao” Daoism

8.   Daoism is similar to Confucianism in that it is a way of life rather than a spiritual belief  However, Daoism is the opposite of Confucianism because it stresses the importance of not acting on the natural order of the universe  The best way to act in harmony with the universe is to not interfere with it Daoism

9.   “The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it.”  The true meaning of Daoism is still debated today. Daoism

10.   Legalism was a third Chinese philosophy that became popular around the same time as Confucius and Daoism.  Legalists were called the “School of Law” because they believed that the best way to run society was through a series of impersonal laws Legalism

11.   Legalists did not believe that people were good  Harsh and strict laws were necessary to keep the people in line  A strong ruler was required to create an orderly society  The ruler did not have to show compassion to his people, since they were not capable of good Legalism

12.   All Chinese philosophies were ways of life rather than supernatural spiritual beliefs.  All believed in creating a stable, orderly society in this material world rather than appeasing gods or following spiritual laws Commonalities Between Philosophies