1. 8.2 |Culture, Intellect, and Society
East Asia
8.2 |Culture, Intellect, and Society

2. O | S: Chinese Civilization
The huge, stable agrarian civilization of China
Korea’s proximity to China meant it grew in its shadow
By cultural diffusion, Japan would also be influenced by China
Rice cultivation

3. O | I: Chinese Philosophy
China’s Warring States Period
Questioning human nature
Confucius’ views on family and tradition
Foundation of Confucianism: action to promote positive change
Daoism: action cannot change anything, so just accept the give and take
Questioning the role of the state
Filial piety of the state and respect of the people
Foundation of Legalism

4. O | C: If it works, don’t break it
China’s cultural dominance held sway over East Asia
The younger cultures of Korea and Japan grew in its likeness
Kanji
Architecture
Familial systems

5. D | S: Korean and Japanese Puberty
As Korean and Japanese societies matured, they took on their own look
Korea would be dominated by China
Japan’s relative isolation allowed for change
Social structures favored a collective effort
Merchants were the lowest lows
Peasants (fed society) were more respected

6. D | I: Change is Good
As Buddhism penetrated East Asia, it mixed with Confucianism
Good acts were good for society
Faith in Buddha and right action was good for all
In Japan, Chinese court traditions shifted to military traditions
The Chinese Merit System with the court
The Japanese Bakufu System with the military

7. D | C: A New Look Japanese culture matured into something new
The Heian Period
Japanese cultural awakening
Their own style of art
Their own written language

8. T | S: Products of the Cold War
China
Failed social reforms of communism
Capitalism’s effect on society
Growing middle-class and calls for reform
Hong Kong riots
Japan
Westernization under the Meiji Restoration
Integration into capitalist system after WWII
Modern society with too much technology?
Korea
Divided between Cold War communism (North) and capitalism (South)
Slavery to the state v. Slavery to capitalism

9. T | I: #1 for Tech and Production
China’s production is massive, but not yet creative (copies)
Japanese technology is the most innovative on Earth
South Korea is another tech giant
North Korea is decades behind

10. T | C: Too much Change too fast?
China’s burgeoning middle class
Need for reform (movements since 1989)
Looking back to Confucius roots
Strange Japanese cultural trends
Tech, anime and manga
Population decline (marriages and dating)
iGeneration (raised by smartphones)