1. Philosophy Shapes Culture
Classical China:
Philosophy Shapes Culture

2. Peace Through Thinking
During the Time of the Warring States, warlords and kings fight for land
In response, Chinese scholars develop three ways of thinking all with the same goal: to bring peace to China
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
Philosophy: A study of basic truths; ideas about the universe

3. Confucius: Teacher, Scholar, Thinker
Confucius Seeks Peace
Sought end to the Time of the Warring States
Peace fundamental to all relationships
Believed respect preceded peace, harmony
Confucius’ ideas collected into a book: The Analects
Together, these teachings form the belief system of Confucianism
Confucius: Teacher, Scholar, Thinker
551 – 479 BCE

4. Confucius: The Analects
Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’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.
To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

5. The Five Relationships
Confucius taught code of proper conduct
Proper conduct in family, proper conduct in society
Ruler Subject
Father Son
Husband Wife
Older Brother Younger Brother
Older Friend Younger Friend
Filial Piety: Respect for your elders

6. Impact of Confucianism
Confucianism set out family and social roles
Following these roles help Chinese to avoid conflict and live peacefully
People must respect authority…BUT…rulers must live right and respect the people
Subjects have the duty to obey ruler IF the ruler lived in a right and moral way
Confucius encourages education, creating fair and skilled government officials (Bureaucracy, Civil Service)

7. Daoism (Taoism)
Laozi’s ideas in Dao De Jing (The Book of the Way of Virtue)
Daoists believe that a universal force, the Dao (the Way), guides all things
All creatures live in harmony with the Dao EXCEPT humans
Humans must find their own way (Dao) to relate to nature and each other
Each person must learn to live in harmony with nature, each other, and their inner feelings

8. Following “the Way”
Daoists did not argue over good and bad, or try to change things
Accepted things as they were; did not get involved in government
To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must:
1. Reject formal knowledge and learning
2. Rely on the senses and instincts
3. Discover the nature and “rhythm” of the universe
4. Ignore political and social laws

9. Yin & Yang
Forces of yin, yang interact, complement each other; change; evolve
Yin (black): Cold, Dark, Mysterious
Yang (white): Warm, Bright
Understanding yin and yang help people find place in the world

10. Legalism Strong government would end the Time of the Warring States
Rulers must use legal system to force people to obey laws
Legalists believe human nature is wicked
As a result, government must pass strict laws to control peoples’ behavior
Harsh punishments for those who violate law, would make people afraid to commit crimes

11. Legalist Principles Human nature is naturally selfish
Intellectualism and literacy are discouraged
Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality
The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand
5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power

12. Think About It…
Based on what you know about the three Classical Chinese philosophies, who would you rather have as a teacher – a Confucianist, a Daoist, or a Legalist? Why?