Chinese Philosophies
Confucianism
This philosophy developed from the teachings of a philosopher named Kung Fu Tzu, who lived at
approximately the same time as Siddhartha Gautama. Confucianism is mainly concerned with moral values,
which form the cornerstone of its philosophy and the basis of its religion. It tends to teach the individual to
absorb these values until they become part and parcel of his very being. These values materialize in absolute
obedience to parents, elder brothers and rulers, and there is a very strong emphasis on obeying people in
authority. As a result of this, Confucianism places high value on social structure, and staying in your “proper
place” in society – not trying to marry or work outside the class you were born into. Confucian beliefs also
include sincerity to friends, refusal to cause any harm to others even in words, identical harmony in words and
deeds (practicing what you preach), rejection of hypocrisy, caring for the good of all members of society,
encouraging art, sympathizing with foreigners and working for the good of both the leaders and the common
people of the empire. The followers of Confucianism believe that humans are basically good, and if given the
choice, will choose to do the right thing. The teachings of Kung Fu Tzu (Confucius) were written down in a
book called The Analects by his followers after his death, which is arguably one of the most influential
documents in Chinese history. Confucianism was generally taught in a Socratic method, with the instructor
asking questions and guiding students to the correct answer through discussions and questions.
Legalism
Legalism was a philosophy that grew out of a time period in China called the Warring States period, which was
a period of 250 years of constant fighting in China with no stable government at all during that time. As a
reaction to Confucianism and Daoism, which were popular in China at that time and which both stated that
humans were basically good, some of the administrators began to claim that in their experience, humans were
actually fundamentally evil. They believed that if given the opportunity, people would naturally commit the
most appalling acts of selfishness, including disloyalty to their rulers, which was the worst crime of all in the
eyes of the government. These administrators, who became known as Legalists, asserted that humans could be
prevented from acting upon their selfish impulses only if forced to obey a set of strictly enforced rules. In
addition, they believed there must be severe punishments for evil, selfish behavior. According to legalists, the
basis for a safe, peaceful, just, prosperous and content society is a set of well-publicized laws and the
corresponding punishments for violating those laws. Legalists believed that not only were humans basically
evil, but that all occupations other than weaving and farming were wasteful and evil. All books related to
anything other than weaving and farming were burned and scholars who refused to give up their anti-legalist
beliefs were buried alive. This philosophy would have been taught by requiring students to unquestioningly
follow the rules and strictly punishing anyone who publicly or privately disagreed with the teacher.
Daoism (Taoism)
This philosophy was founded by a Chinese philosopher named Lao Tzu, who later in life became the teacher of
Confucius. Daoism and Confucianism are closely related, but do have some differing beliefs. The word “Dao (Tao)”
means “the way” and this philosophy focuses on finding the path to simplicity. The ethical ideal of Taoism is to repay
injury with kindness and achieve a quiet, restful, humble simplicity in living. Daoists believe that the basic unity behind
the universe is a mysterious and undefinable force called the Tao. Absolute truth and absolute good are unknowable.
They also believe that life is the greatest of all possessions and that you should live in primitive simplicity. Taoists believe
that education, wealth, power, and family ties are worthless impediments to living and that the further you travel, the
less you know. Pomp and glory are to be despised and the weak and humble overcome the strong and proud. The least
government is the best government and weapons are to be despised and he who has Tao will have nothing to do with
them. Daoists also believe that humans are basically good and that humans will make the right choice most of the time.
Daoists believe that the major teachings of Lao Tzu were written down by Lao Tzu himself into a book called the Dao de
Ching (Tao te Ching). This philosophy was generally taught by allowing students to find their own path to the answer,
since all answers were part of the greater universe of understanding and all answers were part of the greater answer.
Moral Dilemmas
Directions: For each scenario, answer it from the perspective of a Confucianist, Legalist, and Daoist,
1. You know that you are failing a class. How do you respond?
2. Your friends smoke and they are trying to get you to start. How do you handle this situation?
3. You were walking down the hallway during class and has found $20 in the hall. No one is around. What
should you do?
4. There’s a new student at school who seems really nice, but other students are making fun of their clothes
and accent. How will you react?
5. You found out that your older brother has been cheating on his math test. What should you do?
6. You’ve been wanting an ipad for a long time, and while you’re in Best Buy, you see one just sitting on
the counter in a box. An employee left it there when he went to help someone else and you know that the
metal detectors aren’t working at the moment. No one will see you take it. What do you do?
Moral Dilemmas
Directions: For each scenario, answer it from the perspective of a Confucianist, Legalist, and Daoist,
1. You know that you are failing a class. How do you respond?
2. Your friends smoke and they are trying to get you to start. How do you handle this situation?
3. You were walking down the hallway during class and has found $20 in the hall. No one is around. What
should you do?
4. There’s a new student at school who seems really nice, but other students are making fun of their clothes
and accent. How will you react?
5. You found out that your older brother has been cheating on his math test. What should you do?
6. You’ve been wanting an ipad for a long time, and while you’re in Best Buy, you see one just sitting on
the counter in a box. An employee left it there when he went to help someone else and you know that the
metal detectors aren’t working at the moment. No one will see you take it. What do you do?
Moral Dilemmas
Directions: For each scenario, answer it from the perspective of a Confucianist, Legalist, and Daoist,
1. You know that you are failing a class. How do you respond?
2. Your friends smoke and they are trying to get you to start. How do you handle this situation?
3. You were walking down the hallway during class and has found $20 in the hall. No one is around. What
should you do?
4. There’s a new student at school who seems really nice, but other students are making fun of their clothes
and accent. How will you react?
5. You found out that your older brother has been cheating on his math test. What should you do?
6. You’ve been wanting an ipad for a long time, and while you’re in Best Buy, you see one just sitting on
the counter in a box. An employee left it there when he went to help someone else and you know that the
metal detectors aren’t working at the moment. No one will see you take it. What do you do?
Potential Student Answers
Confucianism
Taoism
Legalism
1. Inform parents. Apologize for not
living up to standards expected;
promise to try and do better
1. Not worry about it and hope the problem 1. Inform parents,
will go away. (Taoists more probably would expect and accept
try to recognize why they are failing, and do punishment.
something to change their behavior if it
would make them happier.)
2. Inform whoever was smoking that 2. Announce pleasantly that smoking would 2. Inform the
their behavior was wrong, report this make them unhappy because its bad for
principal.
action to the principal, avoid
your health.
these people until they corrected their
wrong doing.
7. Would not take it. It's against the
rules.
7. Would not take it. They would have
7. Would not take
feelings about it that might complicate their it. It's against the
life.
law.
Activity found at this website
http://ancienthistory.mrdonn.org/Behavior.html