Chinese Philosophy

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

Confucius was known as the

“First Teacher” He lived from 551 BC to 479

BC His ideas were written down

in the Analects and spread around China by his followers

Confucianism

Confucius believed in the Dao, or the

“Way” Two parts of the Dao were duty and humanity

Duty meant putting the interests of others and the community above your own

Duty is also called “work ethic” – if each individual worked hard to fulfill his or her duties, society as a whole would prosper

Confucianism

Five Constant Relationships Parent to child

Loving and reverent Husband to wife

Fulfill duties and obedience Older sibling and younger sibling

Kind and respectful Older friend and younger friend

Considerate and deferential Ruler and subject

Benevolent and loyal

Confucianism

Humanity meant compassion

and empathy for others “Do not do unto others what

you would not wish done to yourself”

What is another way to say this quote?

Confucianism

Finally, Confucianism argued

that society would be best if run by men of superior talent (merit), not who had the most money

This belief frightened the aristocrats of the time, who held power based on their family ties

Confucianism

Daoism is a system of ideas based

on the teachers of Laozi Laozi lived around the same time

as Confucius (5th-4th century BC) Historians are not actually sure if

Laozi existed, because the only evidence they have is the book that he wrote, “The Way of the Dao”

Daoism

Daoism is similar to Confucianism in that it is a way of life rather than a spiritual belief

However, Daoism is the opposite of Confucianism because it stresses the importance of not acting on the natural order of the universe

The best way to act in harmony with the universe is to not interfere with it

Daoism

“The universe is sacred. You cannot improve it. If you try to change it, you will ruin it. If you try to hold it, you will lose it.” The true meaning of Daoism is still

debated today.

Daoism

Legalism was a third Chinese

philosophy that became popular around the same time as Confucius and Daoism.

Legalists were called the “School of Law” because they believed that the best way to run society was through a series of impersonal laws

Legalism

Legalists did not believe that people

were good Harsh and strict laws were necessary

to keep the people in line A strong ruler was required to create

an orderly society The ruler did not have to show

compassion to his people, since they were not capable of good

Legalism

All Chinese philosophies were

ways of life rather than supernatural spiritual beliefs.

All believed in creating a stable, orderly society in this material world rather than appeasing gods or following spiritual laws

Commonalities Between Philosophies