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