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Chinese Philosophical Traditions

Chinese Philosophical Traditions. Libertyville HS – World History. Background / Context. “ Period of Warring States” China descended into chaos; culture appeared to be threatened Chinese scholars wanted to revive values of respect, harmony and social organization. Confucius (551-479 BC).

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Chinese Philosophical Traditions

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  1. Chinese Philosophical Traditions Libertyville HS – World History

  2. Background / Context • “Period of Warring States” • China descended into chaos; culture appeared to be threatened • Chinese scholars wanted to revive values of respect, harmony and social organization

  3. Confucius (551-479 BC) • Believed social order, harmony & good government were brought about by learning • Believed human beings could be perfected through learning Confucius, in Chinese

  4. “Five Relationships” • Confucius believed that all society would be restored with restoration of 5 relationships • Ruler and Subject • Father and Son • Husband and Wife • Older Brother and Younger Brother • Older Friend and Younger Friend

  5. Confucian Ideals • Believed personal virtue would lead to good government • Stressed filial piety, or the need for children to respect their parents and their elders (& the living, the dead) • Education could transform a peasant into a gentleman • Believed power was something to be wielded for the benefit of the people Filial Piety scene

  6. Confucius’ Life • Appointed Minister of Justice • Legend: crime disappeared overnight • Resigned when boss interfered with his methods • Continued teaching & wrote the Analects

  7. The Analects • Means “Conversation” in Chinese • Collection of sayings attributed to Confucius • Focus of Analects • Interpersonal relationships • Relationship of king to ministers • Relationship of government to people • Confucianism is NOT a religion!

  8. Legalism • Believed that government, not virtue, was the key to restoring order to China • Revered those who carried out their duty • Believed in harsh punishment for those that did not fulfill their duty • Believed that people were selfish, greedy, etc but could be made good by laws

  9. Legalism, Applied • Qin Dynasty applied Legalism to their government • Result = Authoritarian gov’t • Obeying government more important than exercising individual freedom • Disagreement with government was a capital offense • Legalists suggested rulers burn all writings critical of government

  10. Downfall of Legalism • Peasant rebellions against government began in far-off provinces • Local officials were afraid to report problem to central government • Central government didn’t learn of rebellions until it was too late to stop

  11. Daoism • Lao Zi and the Dao De Ching (The Way of Virtue) • Universal force, Dao, is a guide to all things • Nothing in nature strives for fame, power (they are one with the Way) • Only MAN resists The Way by striving • Man questions right, wrong; this goes against The Way (pointless question to Daoists)

  12. Daoist Beliefs • I Ching • Book of oracle bones consulted for ethical, practical problems • Gave good advice based on common sense

  13. Daoist Beliefs • Yin & Yang • Power that represent rhythm of life • When equally present, all in one’s life is calm • When one is outweighed, there is confusion / disarray in life • Yin = Heaven / Male / Active • Yang = Earth / Female / Passive • Daoism was NOT a religion but rather a way of living

  14. The Three Philosophies, Today • Confucianism, Daoism have shaped China for more than 2000 years’ • Opposing duality of ideas • Confucianism represents individual moral duty, community standards, governmental responsibility • Daoism represents individual freedom & spontaneity, laissez faire government, mysticism

  15. The Three Philosophies, Today • Three ideas of Legalism have survived to today • Utilitarianism: do jobs that materially benefit others (esp. agriculture) • Rule of Law: law is supreme over all, incl. Emperor • Uniformity of law, culture, language increases cultural coherence & gov’t centralization

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