March 17, 2014

Philosophies of China1) ConfucianismConfucius = Chinese scholar that lived during the

Zhou Dynasty; founder of Confucianism

- Confucius believed that social order and good government should revolve around 5 basic relationships ...

Five Relationships1) Ruler - Subject2) Father - Son3) Husband - Wife4) Older Brother - Younger Brother5) Friend - Friend

- Each relationship depends on the proper actions taken by the "superior", which will result in the "inferior" being obedient

The 3 Relationships based on family revolved around the concept of Filial Piety ...

Confucianism cont ... Filial Piety = respect for one's parents and elders

Confucian ideas about Government- Confucius believed that the key to creating a stable government was through education

Bureaucracy = training/educating members of the Government- The emphasis on training and educating civil servants laid the foundation for the Chinese Imperial Exams

Chinese Imperial Exams = Tests that rewarded government jobs based on the person's ability, rather than their relationship withthe ruling family

Golden Rule according to Confucius"Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself"

Analects = quotes/sayings written down by Confucius' students; guidelines for behavior

2) Taoism/DaoismLaozi = Chinese philosopher who lived during the 6th c. BCE; founder of Taoism

- Confucius concentrated on society and government with his philosophy; Laozi concentrated on nature as the key to harmony

Dao = "the way"; Laozi believed that this was a universal force that controls and guides all things in nature

Laozi argued that all things in nature follow the "dao" EXCEPT humans

** The key for humans to achieve harmony would be to study and try to become synchronized with nature and the "dao"

** Taoism is a way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens in everyday life

March 17, 2014

- The symbol that represents Daoism is the Yin and Yang (Yin Yang)

Circle = represents harmonyYin (white) = represents the earthYang (black) = represents heaven

3) LegalismHanfeizi and Li Si = co-founders of the idea of Legalism

- They believed that a strong & powerful government was the key to social order

- Laws should be used to end civil disorder and restore harmony to a country/empire

Legalists believed in two things:

1) Rulers should provide rewards for people who were obedient2) Disobedience should be harshly punished

** Rulers should control the ideas as well as the actions of their subjects

"Only an intelligent ruler is capable of applying heavy punishments to light offenses. If light offenses carry heavy punishments, one can imagine what will be done against a serious offense. Thus, the people will not dare to break the laws." - Li Si