1. Global History and Geography 9
The Three Chinese Philosophies/Religions:Daoism (Taoism), Legalism & Confucianism
Dr. Afxendiou
Global History and Geography 9

2. Daoism/Taoism

3. FOUNDER Started by a man named Laozi (Lao Tsu) who lived about 600 BC
Lao Tsu believed that people needed to go with the flow (wu-wei), to let nature take its course

4. GODS/DEITIES Most important are THE THREE PURE Manifestations of Laozi
The Jade Emperor- the ruler of heaven and all levels of existence

5. SACRED TEXT The Dao De Jing - The Classic in the Way and Its Power
Not sacred but the most important text in the religion. It contains the teachings of Laozi

6. KEY BELIEFS
The DAO (TAO) - ‘The Way’ – it is the first-cause of the universe. It is a force that flows through all life.
YIN AND YANG - everything in the universe has a life force of opposites
Must keep the yin and the yang balanced
Man is unhappy because he lives according to man-made laws, customs, and traditions that go against the ways of nature

7. KEY BELIEFS – YIN AND YANG
Masculine
Active
Light
Warmth
Strong
Heaven; Sun
Feminine
Passive
Darkness
Cold
Weak
Earth; Moon
Yang

8. Beliefs… Wrong for people to fight – go with the flow of nature
Government is unnatural consequently, so are its rules and laws
Social order does not exist as it is not natural, only order created by nature matters

9. ULTIMATE GOAL to become one with Dao; one with nature.
To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life. Can only escape by:
1. Rejecting formal knowledge and learning.
2. Relying on the senses and instincts.
3. Discovering the nature and “rhythm” of the universe.
4. Ignoring political and social laws.

10. MORAL LAW – 3 Jewels to be sought….
Compassion- awareness of another person’s pain and wanting to relieve it
Moderation- avoid extremes
Humility- modest, don’t brag

11. EFFECTS ON SOCIETY POLITICAL
Denied the validity of any government, thus Daoists did not believe in the emperor and did not support him.
The government that governs least governs best
Believed that rules of nature were more important than rules of government
They were a subversive force

12. EFFECTS ON SOCIETY SOCIAL
People are part of nature. Any order imposed by society is unnatural. This undermined the social hierarchies of Chinese society and implied equality.

13. Legalism

14. You must first know… FOUNDER
Not really a religion but a political philosophy
We study it because it guided the behavior of the Chinese people
It is AUTHORITARIAN - individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom
FOUNDER
Han Fei Zi

15. GODS/DEITIES ULTIMATE GOAL PLACE OF WORSHIP RELIGIOUS LEADERS None
Maintain order in society
To allow the ruler to stay in power
PLACE OF WORSHIP
None
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
None

16. HOLY LAND SACRED TEXT MORAL LAW None None Legal writings important
Follow the laws set by the ruler who is the ultimate authority

17. Key Beliefs
All people are fundamentally flawed and that strict laws and harsh punishments are needed to keep them in order
People should be responsible for other people’s actions. Neighbors and relatives should also be punished for not stopping the criminal act
People should be scared into obeying laws

18. A bit of history…
Legalism was the dominant philosophy applied during the QIN DYNASTY
Qin Shi Huangdi – applied strict rules and harsh punishments
Did not allow any religions or philosophies to guide his subjects’ behavior other than his laws
He persecuted Confucian scholars. He is known for burying them alive

19. EFFECT ON SOCIETY POLITICAL SOCIAL
Developed a very harsh system of government where rulers had absolute power and people had no rights at all
SOCIAL
People have no rights at all. Society is organized based on this principle. There is the absolute ruler, the aristocrats (his family, advisors, officials) and the rest

20. Confucianism

21. FOUNDER Confucius or Kong Fuzi – Master Kong Lived during Zhou Dynasty
He felt that China was full of rude, dishonest people
He wanted people to return to having good ethics

22. GODS/DEITIES ULTIMATE GOAL
No supernatural power in the teachings of Confucius
Confucius was made into a god over the years. His teachings were given religious aspects during the Han Dynasty. He never claimed to be anything other than a man looking to advise rulers
ULTIMATE GOAL
Create an ethical, orderly society

23. PLACE OF WORSHIP
Temples
RELIGIOUS LEADERS
None
HOLY LAND
None

24. SACRED TEXT MORAL LAW None
Most important book The Analects. Contains the teachings of Confucius. Written by his students not himself.
MORAL LAW
Confucius established certain principles that were to guide peoples’ behavior

25. KEY BELIEFS FILIAL PIETY – Respect your elders and your ancestors
The emperor is the example of proper behavior and morals for society
Fathers are role models for the family
The 5 relationships

26. The five relationships
1. Ruler
Subject
2. Father
Son
3. Husband
Wife
4. Older Brother
Younger Brother
5. Older Friend
Younger Friend

27. Confucius say…
A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake.
Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.
The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others.

28. A bit of history…
Adopted as the main governing philosophy during the Han Dynasty
Became the foundation of the bureaucratic government the Han established
Bureaucracy – a government run by government officials
Bureaucrats trained in the Confucian classics and took civil service exams on their knowledge
Scholar gentry – the educated class of bureaucrats

29. Effect on society SOCIAL
Created a code of proper conduct within the five relationships. By knowing what was expected of them in each relationship people knew how to behave so there was order and harmony in society.

30. Effect on society POLITICAL
Introduced the idea of educated civil servants who became part of Chinese bureaucracy. During the Han Dynasty civil servants had to take exams that tested them on their knowledge of the teachings of Confucius. These exams allowed only the smartest and hardest working people to become government workers making for a strong government.