Confucianism Legalism Taoism

Prepared by: Mr.
Fobe Mechael Nudalo
* 551 479 B.C.E.

* Born in the feudal state of Liu. * Became a teacher and editor of books.
Confucius was interested in ways to organize a good society. To him, a good society was one that preserved peace and order among individuals and between people and their government. Confucianism or the teachings of Confucius, was a practical philosophy. It offered a code of conduct for individuals to follow in their social and political relationship. Analects the collection of Confucius teachings by his followers.
The Confucian code of conduct stressed virtues such as loyalty, courtesy, hard work, and kindness. If a people practiced these virtues, Confucius believed, the result would be social harmony. Confucius set out five basic relationship that defined everyones place in society.
Li --> Rite, rules, ritual decorum (Binding Ren --> humaneness, benevolence,
humanity
force of an enduring stable society)
Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy

Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you. Yi --> Righteousness Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)
1. Ruler 2. Father
Subject Son
3. Husband
4. Older Brother 5. Older Friend
Wife
Younger Brother Younger Friend
The five relationship determined how society should be organized. In each relationship, each individual had responsibilities, or duties, toward the other. Confucius reasoned that if everyone obeyed his or her duty, an orderly, balanced society was possible. For example, the ruler had the responsibility to provide a good government . At the same time, the subject owed loyalty and respect to the ruler.
He also felt that a ruler could achieve more by setting a good example than by passing laws. Because the family was the basic unit of Chinese society. Confucius emphasized family relationship. He felt that the virtues of loyalty and respect for authority were essential to the family. Filial piety, respect for ones parents and elders. A child was expected to show filial piety to both parents as well as to other relatives.
Women were considered inferior to men, sons and daughters learned to honor their mothers.
Status
* Age * Gender
* The single most important Confucian
work.
* In Chinese, it means conversation. * Focus on practicalities of interpersonal relationships and the relationship of the role of rulers and ministers to the conduct of government.
* Knowing what he knows and knowing what he
doesnt know, is 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.
* To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
THE IMPACT OF CONFUCIANISM
Confucianism was not a religion. Confucius accepted traditional Chinese religious practices. He believed in the power of heaven, where the gods and ancestors spirits lived. But his teachings were mainly concerned with life on earth. The goal of Confucianism was not the souls salvation but order in society.
Confucian ideals shaped Chinese society. Chinese law was based on Confucian principles, and the idea of filial piety shaped family life. Emperors ordered temples honoring Confucius to be established in every province. Confucian scholars became the main force in government. Every candidate for government office had to memorize the Five Classics and the Four books which contained
the teachings of Confucius and his followers. Emperors occasionally used Confucius name to demand obedience from their subjects without providing the good government that was required of them. Confucian ideals remained at the heart of Chinese Civilization.
* 372 - 289 B.C.E. * Disciple of Confucius. * Starts off with the assumption that people are basically good. * If someone does something bad, education, not punishment, is the answer. Good people will mend their ways in accordance to their inherent goodness.
* The emperor is the example of
proper behavior --> big daddy
* Social relationships are based on rites or rituals.

* Even religious rituals are important for SOCIAL, not religious reasons, acc. to Confucius.
INDIA
1. Brahmin 2. Kshatriyas
CHINA
1. Scholar-Gentry 2. Peasants
3. Vaishyas
4. Shudras Untouchables
3. Artisans
4. Merchants Soldiers Imperial Nobility Domestic Slaves
* 280? - 233 B.C.E. * Han Fe Tzu * Lived during the late Warring States period.
* Legalism became the political philosophy of the Qin [Chin] Dynasty.
Legalism was the third major Chinese philosophy. Han Fei Tzu was not interested in ethical conduct. He also opposed the Taoist emphasis on meditation. He felt that the way to create a stable society was through a highly efficient, strict government. He believed that the ruler should have absolute power to make the system work.
Legalism was an authoritarian philosophy that is it, it taught unquestioning obedience to authority. Han Fei Tzu said that people were easily swayed by greed or fear. Only the ruler knew how to look after their best interest. Therefore, the ruler should make laws as circumstances demanded, enforcing them with rich rewards for obedience and severe punishments for dis-obedience.
To the legalist, rule by law was far superior to the Confucian idea of rule by good example. Legalists had such a low opinion of human nature that they did not believe people were capable of loyalty, honesty, or trust. Only the threat of harsh punishment, they argued would ensure order and stability in society.
1. Human nature is naturally selfish.
2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged.

3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality. 4. The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand.
5. War is the means of strengthening a rulers power.
One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom. The ruler, therefore, cracks his whip on the backs of his subjects!
* Not sure when he
died. [604 B.C.E. - ?]
* His name means Old Master * Was he Confucius teacher?
* The basic text of Daoism. * In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power. * Those who speak know nothing:
Those who know are silent. These words, I am told, Were spoken by Laozi. If we are to believe that Laozi, Was himself one who knew, How is it that he wrote a book, Of five thousand words?
1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believers goal is to become one with Dao; one with nature. [The butterfly or the man? story.] 3. Wu wei --> Let nature take its course. --> The art of doing nothing. --> Go with the flow! 4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to man-made laws, customs, & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature.
traps of life, one must escape by:

1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning.
To escape the social, political, & cultural
2. Relying on the senses and instincts.

3. Discovering the nature and rhythm of the universe.
4. Ignoring political and social laws.
* Feminine
* Passive
* Masculine
* Active * Light * Warmth * Strong
* Darkness
* Cold * Weak
* Earth; Moon
* Heaven; Sun
How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??

Confucianism --> Moral order in society.
Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order. Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity.

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Prepared by: Mr.

Fobe Mechael Nudalo

* 551 479 B.C.E.

force of an enduring stable society)

Shu --> Reciprocity, empathy

* The single most important Confucian

* Knowing what he knows and knowing what he

doesnt know, is 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.

* To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

THE IMPACT OF CONFUCIANISM

* The emperor is the example of

proper behavior --> big daddy

* Social relationships are based on rites or rituals.

* Legalism became the political philosophy of the Qin [Chin] Dynasty.

1. Human nature is naturally selfish.

2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged.

5. War is the means of strengthening a rulers power.

* Not sure when he

died. [604 B.C.E. - ?]

* His name means Old Master * Was he Confucius teacher?

traps of life, one must escape by:

To escape the social, political, & cultural

2. Relying on the senses and instincts.

4. Ignoring political and social laws.

How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??

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