Confucius

China before Confucius

Xia and Shang Dynasties 2070 B.C. - 1027 B.C.

Zhou Dynasty 1027 B.C. - 256 B.C. Constant conflict –”warring period”

Under the Zhou, China moved away from social order and harmony

ConfuciusChina’s most influential scholarBorn in 551 B.C.died in 479 B.C.

Confucianism

Concerned primarily with restoring social stability and order

Believed in moralityCould work if organized around

five basic relationships!

Five relationshipsFather-childRuler-subjectHusband-wifeElder brother-younger brotherFriend-friend

Ex. Rulers should practice kindness in return for loyalty

Filial PietyBelieved all children should

practice this

Respect for parents and ancestors

Devoting yourself to parents during lifetime as well as honoring memory after death

ConfuciusWanted to show rulers how to govern

wiselyAnalects – book his students created of

his wordsBureaucracy – trained civil service –

people who run the governmentBottom line – ethical system! Spread!!!Led to other ethical systems too

DaoismLaozi credit for philosophy

(did he really exist???)Focused primarily on the

natural orderReally stressed natureUniversal force – “Dao” -

meaning “the way” – guides all things

Of all nature, only humans fail to follow

LegalismComplete opposite of

Confucius and Laozi

Hanfeizi and Li Si – founders – believed in strong government! Powerful! Wanted order and stability.

Punishment stressed more than reward Ex. No travel permit? Ears chopped off!

I ChingThose not interested in

philosophies –Practiced - “I Ching” –

book that helps solve ethical and practical problems

Throw coins to solve problems – read the book to interpret

Yin and Yang

Two powers that represent natural rhythms of life.

Yin – all that is cold, dark, soft and mysterious

Yang – all that is warm, bright, hard and clear

Circle represents harmonyCompliment each other

Qin Dynasty

Replaces the Zhou DynastyFounder employed Legalist ideas

Shi Huangdi – 2nd ruler – doubled China’s size. Wanted to unify China! Wanted control!

Murdered hundreds of Confucian scholars – burned his books

Qin DynastyEstablished an autocracy –

government that has unlimited power! 4,000 miles of highway Same standards of measure throughout

China – law, currency, length of cart axles Major change in trade! Taxed people heavily Unified China at the expense of humans

Qin DynastyBegan with other dynasties.Shi Huangdi linked themForced hundreds of thousands of

peasants to work on it! No wages – work the wall or die Han came in and overthrew!