CHINESE PHILOSOPHY TAOISM CONFUCIANISM BUDDHISM Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM Tao=path or way Beyond human concerns Tao can be observed by watching nature Tao Te Ching is the primary work Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM Avoid human desires Balance of opposites Not honoring men of worth Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM Not educating Not encouraging the clever to act –Causes jealousy and desire –Opposite of Confucianism Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

TAOISM Freedom and simplicity are required Paradox –A seemingly contradictory statement that presents a profound truth –Example: A blade of grass has a better chance of withstanding a storm than a tall, strong tree. Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

CONFUCIANISM Righteous behavior Respect for superiors and elders Dominant ethical, social and political philosophy of China Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

CONFUCIANISM Concerned with how people act –Moral behavior Focus on social units –Family and state –Hierarchy –Patriarchy Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

CONFUCIANISM Governed by ren –Human-heartedness The Analects is the primary work Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

BUDDHISM Life is sorrow Sorrow is caused by desires If you eliminate desires, you eliminate sorrow Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

BUDDHISM Eliminate desires by –Self-discipline –Restraint –Moral conduct –Meditation Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy

BUDDHISM Emphasis on simplicity Emphasis on solitude Geschke/English IV Chinese Philosophy