Chinese Philosophies Standard WHI.4F

Chinese Philosophies Confucianism Daoism (Taoism) Legalism

 Founder: ◦Confucius (Kong Fuzi – Master Philosopher Kong) ◦(551 BCE – 479 BCE)  Social and Political harmony came from proper ordering of human relationships: ◦Ruler and subject ◦Father and son ◦Husband and wife ◦Older brother and younger brother ◦Friend and friend  Good Government = well-educated individuals with strong moral character (Junzi) lead by merit Confucianism

 Qualities  Ren – person must be kind and respectful (politeness)  Li – behave appropriately  Xiao – Filial Piety – family central, so children must respect, care for, and honor elders, even after death (ancestor worship)  Goal:  Enlightened leaders with strong morals could restore order to China (Benevolence)  Beliefs: ◦People were born good and bad behavior was a learned behavior  Education could transform anyone into a gentleman  The Analects : ◦Collected teachings of Confucius

Confucius says…  “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”  “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”  “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”  “When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”

Taoism (Daoism)  Founder: ◦Laozi (‘Old Master’) lived in the 6 th Century BCE  Main Text: ◦Daodejing (Tao Te Ching)  ‘Dao’: The Way ◦Eternal and unchanging principle that governs all the workings of the world  Beliefs:  Avoid politics – human ambition causes chaos  Yin/Yang Principle (Light/Dark, Male/Female = Balance, life cycles, links to health  Understand the natural principles that govern the world  Humility/Simplicity of Life  Live in Harmony with Nature Qin emperor, Shi Huangdi allowed Daoists to continue their practices. Why?

Legalism Founder:  Han Feizi Beliefs:  Humans are bad and need law and order  The State is more important than individual’s needs  Rule:  Strict Rules, Harsh Punishments (to deterrence), Maintain Control  Throw trash in the street, your hands would be chopped off!  PRO: Ended the “Warring Period” in China and restored order  CON: Not very popular, Qin Dynasty lasted only 14 Years

Legalism Quotes: “Education for the people is positively harmful: teach the peasants only to grow food and fight.” “Reward them when they do these well and squash them when they don’t.” “Charity only encourages laziness, so no charity or compassion for the weak.” “Attack your neighbor when you are strong, appease him when you are weak.” “Assign one man to each office and do not let men talk to each other.” “You can’t control people with love or rituals, do it with fear and rewards and punishments.” “Criticism of the government should be harshly punished.” “Burn all books that don’t agree with the state.”

The Governor of She said to Confucius, “In our village there is a man nicknamed ‘Straight Body’. When his father stole a sheep, he gave evidence against him.” Should the son have turned in the Father? What would Confucius recommend? Why? What would Han Fei Zi recommend? Why? Dilemma for Confucius/Legalism: Case of the Stolen Sheep

Confucius answered, “In our village those who are ‘straight bodies’ are quite different. Fathers cover up for their sons, and sons cover up for their fathers. Straightness is to be found in such behavior.’” (Analects, XIII, 18)” Translated: Family is key, filial piety must be followed and is at the center of Confucianism. Good fathers have good sons, and they in turn become good fathers Legalists would argue that the ruler is the center and punishment maintains order.

I Ching  ‘Book of Changes’  Divination practice, dates back to Zhou Dynasty (oracle bones)  Cleromancy – random numbers formed into hexagrams reveal cosmic significances, guidance  Use:Spiritual practice that provided good advice and common sense