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

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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