Daoism, Legalism & Confucianism

Three Philosophies that look at how to get people to behave and how the

government should rule the people.

Daoism/Taoism

Started by a man named Lao Tsu who lived about 600 BCIs a philosophy (way of thinking) but turned into a religionLao Tsu believed that people needed to go with the flow (wu-wei) let nature take its course

Yin and Yang

Believed everything in the universe had a life force- a yin and yang-oppositesYin-dark side- is women, moon, things that are still & deathYang-light side-is men, sun, things that move & birthMust keep the yin and the yang balanced

Beliefs…

Wrong for people to fightWrong for government to make rules and lawsAgainst any kind of rules, diets, etc.Had theories regarding the body, diet, breathing and physical exercises, uses of herbs, philosophical inquiry (self-reflection) and meditation.The Taoist feels these ideas bring a human being into closer alignment with the “natural order” of life and living

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

Legalism

Legalism Beliefs

Believed that people were bad and needed to be controlledReligion wasn’t involvedBelieved society needed strict lawsPeople should be responsible for other people’s actions. Ex- neighbors and relatives should also be punishedScare people into obeying laws

Legalism

There are 3 parts to Legalism~fa (law)~shi (legitimacy)~shu (arts of the ruler)

Fa (law)

Laws were written and made publicThe laws ran the state the rulers did notLaws were enforced by strict rewards and punishments

Shi (legitimacy)

Keeping order was the first priorityAnyone could rule as long as laws were in place

Shu-arts of the ruler

Rulers should not be kindBeing kind leads to failureThey need to be strict otherwise people get disrespectful and lazy

Confucianism

Confucius and Society

During Zhou DynastyConfucius, a man, felt that China was full of rude, dishonest peopleHe wanted people to return to having good ethics

Confucius's rules for Families

Fathers should be role models for familyChildren should respect and obey their parentsFamilies should be loyal to one another

Confucius’ Rules for Government

Do not have strict lawsHave leaders be good role models for morals and behaviorKing should inspire good behavior- not scare people into good behavior

Confucius Proverbs

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.

Confucius Teachings

Confucius traveled all over teaching his ideasHis teachings were put into a book called The AnalectsConfucianism is meant to guide behavior

Quiz Prep

What are the beliefs and principles of each of the three philosophies?Using each of the three philosophies separately, how would China have been ruled?Which practice in China showed the influence of Confucianism?If you were a laborer, what would Confucius say that you should do?

Quiz Prep

In a chart titled “Yin and Yang”, pleasure would be paired with _____?What was the Legalist view of human nature?Hanfeizi wrote that rulers should emphasize __ and __?What did Hanfeizi say that rulers must do to avoid being overthrown?

Identify the basic beliefs and principles you’ve learned about each philosophy. Then provide an example showing how each philosophy influenced the way ancient China was ruled:

Confucianism:

Daoism:

Legalism: