1. Confucius

2. China before Confucius
Zhou Dynasty – 1027 BCE BCE
Western Zhou ( )
Feudal system of lords, vassals & fiefs
Eastern Zhou/Warring States Period ( )
No unified political system

3. Confucius 551 BCE - 479 BCE Unspectacular life; tried to
promote his ideas unsuccessfully
Became China’s ‘greatest teacher’ posthumously

4. Confucianism
Concerned primarily with restoring social stability and order
What is the basis of a stable, unified, and enduring social order?
a system of social and ethical philosophy
“only when character is cultivated are our families regulated; only when families are regulated are states well governed”

5. Confucianism Secular, humanist 3 Confucian values: xiao - filial piety
li - ritual
ren - humaneness
No division between inner/outer or the self/whole

6. xiao

7. Li
rites, ceremonies, proper behavior

8. Ren

9. Five relationships father-child ruler-subject husband-wife
elder brother-younger brother
friend-friend
What are the 3 organizing principles of these relationships?
Status, age, gender

10. Women & Confucianism
“Woman's greatest duty is to produce a son."

11. Sayings from the Analects
Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t 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.

12. Confucianism in Ancient China
persecuted in Qin Dynasty
221 B.C B.C.
promoted during the Han dynasty and beyond

13. Confucianism in Ancient China
became key to orthodox state ideology
reinforced by the civil examination system
“keju”: civil examination
from 605 CE to 1905 CE
Philosophy, curriculum, state ritual

14. Taoism
Tao Te Ching or Daodejing (The Way & the Power) establishes Taoist (Daoist) philosophy in China
Tao – a force that flows through all life (nature); goal is to become one with Tao (follow the way)
Te – one’s natural ability to peak by following the ‘way’
Spontaneous process that regulates everything
Lao Zi 6th c BCE and Zhuangzi that came later

15. Philosophy emphasizes:
Naturalness –let nature guide you
Spontaneity
Individual Freedom
Simplicity
Wu-wei – active non-action; use least amount of effort to get things done; go with the flow!

16. Ignore political and social laws
Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs & traditions that are contrary to the ways of nature So…
Ignore political and social laws
Reject formal knowledge and learning
Discover the nature and “rhythm” of the universe
Rely on the senses and instincts

17. Legalism
Legalists: advisers to rulers looking to strengthen their states
could be achieved by regulating every aspect of people’s lives through laws & punishments
legalist advisers were most influential in state of Qin

18. Shi Huangdi & Legalism A prince in Qin, became the 1st emperor
Many things achieved under Qin rule, but it was short-lived
Lesson learned?
Force can unify but it is limited;
need to emphasize morality over law for stability

19. What's Your Philosophy of Life?
How is a person to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity??
Confucianism --> Moral order in society
Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity
Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order
What's Your Philosophy of Life?