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Confucius 551 – 479 B.C.E. came out during the decline of the Zhou dynasty Confucius was China’s most influential scholar. He had a deep desire to restore the moral order of earlier times.
5 Principle Relationships 1.Ruler Subject 2. Father Son Wife 3. Husband YoungerBrother 4. Older Brother YoungerFriend 5. Older Friend Code of proper conduct regulated each of the relationships
Confucius and Family • stressed that children should practice filial piety. • devote oneself to parents during their life and after.
Confucius and Government • Thought education could transform a person • Believed in “bureaucracy” • Those that run the government • Education became critically important to career advancement in the bureaucracy. He placed great emphasis on education. He said: “By nature, men are pretty much alike. It is learning and practice that set them apart.”
Confucius and Ethics • Confucianism was never a religion, but an ethical system. • foundation for Chinese government/social order. • His ideas spread beyond China and influenced other areas of Southeast Asia, Japan and Korea.
The Analects The single most important Confucian work. In Chinese, it means “conversation.”
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.
The Analects & The Confucian Letter… • The notes outlined 4 life statements from Confucius’ “Conversation”. • How do these statements still apply to todays society? • What negative outcomes(of these sayings) do you see in society? • Choose a favorite statement explaining why it “speaks” to you? • Try to create your own Analect statement based on Confucian thought. • Lets have a conversation • Complete the Confucian Letter if you didn’t last night!
Han Fei 280? - 233 B.C.E. Han Fe Zi. Lived during the late Warring States period. Legalism became the political philosophy of the Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty.
Major Legalist Principles 1. Human nature is naturally selfish. 2. Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged. 3. Law is the supreme authority and replaces morality. 4. The ruler must rule with a strong, punishing hand. 5. War is the means of strengthening a ruler’s power.
Authoritarian One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom. The ruler, therefore, “cracks his whip” on the backs of his subjects!
Logic of a Legalist • Ruler should provide rich rewards for people who carried out their duties • The disobedient should be harshly punished • (Stressed punishment more than rewards) • Han Feizi noted: “The ruler alone possesses power, wielding it like lightening or like thunder.”
Lao Zi [Lao-Tzu] Not sure when he died. [604 B.C.E. - ?] His name means “Old Master” Stressed the natural way (natural order involves relations among all living things Dao meaning “the way”
The Dao De Jing The basic text of Daoism. In Chinese, it means The Classic in the Way and Its Power. “Those who speak know nothing: Those who know are silent.”
Major Daoist Principles 1.Dao [Tao]It is a force that flows through all life. 2. A believer’s goal is to become one with Dao/nature. 3.Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.”--> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives contrary to the ways of nature.
The "Dao" [Tao] Toescape the “social, political, & cultural traps” of life, one must… 1.Reject formal knowledge and learning. 2.Rely on the senses and instincts. 3.Discover the nature and “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignoring political and social laws.
The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance! Yin Masculine Active Light Warmth Strong Heaven; Sun Feminine Passive Darkness Cold Weak Earth; Moon Yang
Daoism & its relation… How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity?? Confucianism--> Moral order in society. Legalism--> Rule by harsh law & order. Daoism--> Freedom for individuals and less govt. to avoid uniformity and conformity.
Classwork- Choose a path! • Daoism, Legalism, & Confucianism: • Choose the PATH that BEST represents you! • A. Write a one page reflection on how this path fits your lifestyle. Create three points and defend your ideas in your writing. • B. Have another student read and respond to what you wrote. (STUDENTS WILL RESPOND ON THE BACK OF THE ORIGINAL PAPER GIVEN TO THEM TO READ) • C. CLASS WRAP (DISCUSSION OF IDEAS AND POINTS MADE)
