Confucianism / Taoism
Roots of Philosophy: The Decline
of the Zhou
• Zhou had been divided
into many small
kingdoms.
– Civil War breaks out
in 403 B.C.
– “Period of the
Warring States”
• During this time, Chinese philosophers
wanted to create stability in society.
– Create ideas about human relationships.
– Become ideas behind Confucianism & Taoism
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
the following.
1. What do you think should be the proper
relationship between these pairings
according to our society today?
*Parent – Child
*Older Sibling – Younger Sibling
* Husband – Wife
*Ruler – Subject
The Life of Confucius
• Born in 551 B.C.
• Tried to convince warlords to lead their
people by example.
• They ignore him.
• Returns to home-town to become teacher
– Teaches future leaders his ideas on ethics.
• They go on to change Chinese society.
• Followers write the Analects
The Life of Confucius
• Confucius believed there is an order in the
universe.
– Humans must act in harmony with this order.
• Two basic ideas:
– Duty
• If everyone does their duty to the fullest, then
society will prosper.
– Humanity
• Compassion and empathy for others.
Confucius’ Teachings :Two Basic
Ideas…
Duty
Five Constant Relationships
1.
Parent – Child
Parents love children
Children revere parents
2.
Husband – Wife
Husbands fulfill duty to wife
Wife are obedient
3.
Older Sibling – Younger Sibling
Elder sibling should be a kind teacher
Younger sibling should be respectful
4.
Older Friend – Younger Friend
Older friend should be considerate
Younger friend should be deferential
5.
Ruler – Subject
Rulers should be benevolent
Subjects should be loyal
“Let the ruler be filial and kind
to all people, then they will
be faithful to him. Let him
advance the good and
teach the incompetent; then
they will eagerly seek to be
virtuous.”
-Confucius
Confucius’ Teachings :Two Basic
Ideas…
Humanity
• “Do not do unto others
what you would not
wish to be done to
yourself.”
-Confucius
Wisdom
Sayings From the Analects
• Knowing what he knows and knowing
what he does not know is a
characteristic of a person who knows.
• Making a mistake and not correcting it
is making another mistake.
• The superior man blames himself. The
inferior man blames others.
• To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
Confucianism Wrap Up Questions:
Comparing Eastern Philosophies
• How would Confucius react to the Hindu
Caste system?
– Both philosophies share the idea of “duty.”
• In which steps of the Buddhist Middle Path
can you see the Confucian concept of
“humanity?”
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
the following…
1. Do you believe in fate? If so, what sorts
of things do you believe can be “left to
fate?”
Taoism
• Tao = “the path” or “the
way”
• Philosophy of Laozi
– Lived during the time of
Confucius (c. 500 B.C.)
– Also looked to end the
Warring States!
Taoism – Basic Beliefs
• The Tao is a “power” which
envelops, surrounds and flows
through all things, living and nonliving.
– Creates balance in the Universe. It
embodies the harmony of opposites.
• There would be no love without hate, no
light without dark, no male without female.
• Referred to as yin and yang.
– Let nature take its course by not
interfering with it
• Harmonize yourself with the Tao.
Taoism – Basic Beliefs
"We believe in the formless and eternal Tao,
and we recognize all personified deities
as being mere human constructs. We
reject hatred, intolerance, and
unnecessary violence, and embrace
harmony, love and learning, as we are
taught by Nature. We place our trust and
our lives in the Tao, that we may live in
peace and balance with the Universe,
both in this mortal life and beyond."
In summary…
Confucianism believes that it is the duty of
human beings to work hard to improve the
life here on Earth.
“If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the
character. If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in
the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the
nation. If there be order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”
Taoists believe the way to act in harmony is to
not interfere with the natural order.
“The universe is sacred.
You cannot improve it.
If you try to change it, you will ruin it.
If you try to hold it, you will lose it.”
- Laozi