Classical Chinese
Philosophies
3 Major Classical Chinese
Philosophical Movements
Confucianism
2. Daoism/Taoism
3. Legalism
1.
Confucianism
Confucius (551479 BCE)
K’ung Fu-Tzu
Lived during Period of Warring
States
Scholar – taught history, music,
ethics
Main Writings: The Analects
Promoted by his followers,
such as Mencius
Confucianism
Wanted to restore social order, harmony
and good government to China
Ethical system based on relationships and
personal virtue
Spoke of the ideal age of the early Zhou
Dynasty
Perfect society
Superiors looked after dependents
Inferiors devoted to service
Confucianism
Five Basic Relationships in Society
Ruler
and Subject
Father and Son
Husband and Wife
Older Brother and Younger Brother
Friend and Friend
Confucianism
Most of Confucius’ theories on
relationships were based on the FAMILY
Filial Piety – Respect for parents and
elders
Necessary for order in the world
Confucianism
Argued that a Chinese gentleman was
based on education and moral standards
and NOT based on birth
Bureaucracy – Those who run the
government
Courteous
Precise
Generous
Just (Fair)
Daoism/Taoism
Founded by Lao Tze (604-531 BCE)
Book: Tao-te-Ching (The Way of
Virtue)
Human actions are not important
QuickTime™ and a
decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
The most important part of society is the
natural order of things
The Tao (The Way) – guides all things
Daoism/Taoism
Search for knowledge and
understanding of nature
To understand nothing, it is
best to do nothing, to
observe nature
Nature is not jealous,
power-hungry
Does not argue about
right and wrong, good or
bad
Legalism
Practical, political reaction to Confucianism
Founded by Han Feizi in 3rd century BCE
Powerful and efficient government was the key
to restoring order
Use law to end civil war and restore harmony
Ruler should provide rewards for good
subjects and punish those who are
disobedient
Must control ideas and actions of people
Becomes basis for future dynasties
Favored by Shi Huangdi in the Qin Dynasty
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