3 Schools of Chinese Thought

Part Two of Chapter 8

The Warring States Period475-221 BCE

Final centuries of the Zhou Dynasty Chaos, civil unrest, 7 states fighting for powerGrowing violenceDisharmony and disunityThese issues led many to find solutions to China’s

problems…known as the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Some gained more prominence than others…

The 7 Warring States Map

School of Thought #1Confucianism

Founder = Confucius (Kong Fuzi)Wanted to be a high government

official, but failed…became a teacher instead

Associated with Han Dynasty and later China (until 1900’s)

Believed in ethics (good conduct and moral judgment)

Philosophy centered on the duties and proper behavior of the individual in society

School of Thought #1Confucianism

“The Analects” = collected teachings of Confucius compiled by students after his death

Humans are basically good…BUT they need good education, good outside influences, and good effort to maintain goodness

Emphasis on education, being polite, respect for elders, filial piety

Civil service exams for govt. positionsUnjust rulers can and should be

replaced…Mandate of Heaven

School of Thought #1Confucianism

Emphasis on Five Relationships Ruler and subject Father and son Elder brother and younger brother Husband and wife Friend and friend

Everyone owes obedience to those “above” them, and in return, everyone owes loving responsibility to those inferior

School of Thought #2Daoism (Taoism)

Founder = LaoziCollected teachings – “Tao Te

Ching”Focus of Daoism = living in

harmony with the natural order (“The Dao” or “The Way”)

Urges withdrawal from society and entrance into a world of nature

Pursuit of inner purity, reduction of desire

School of Thought #2Daoism

Principal ethic = Wu-wei… or non-action. Do not struggle. Follow the natural path.

Acceptance and yieldingBelief in the goodness of

man…people will choose good when left to their own devices

Yin and Yang – two opposing forces of nature

More personal…less about political order

School of Thought #3Legalism

Founder = Han FeiziLegalists viewed humans as

inherently stupid and immoral…justified harsh leadership

Legalists believed in rules and laws that were strict, clearly spelled out, and enforced through a system of rewards and punishments

Sometimes equated with political realism

School of Thought #3Legalism

Leader should monopolize power to prevent civil war

No interest in moral or philosophical questions, like the others

All citizens should be treated equally before the law, and effective application of the law will maintain order

Used by Emperor Qin Shihuangdi during the Qin Dynasty to restore unity and order to China