Intro to Chinese Intro to Chinese PhilosophyPhilosophy

Views on Man, Government, Views on Man, Government, and Natureand Nature

The ClimateThe Climate

End of the Zhou dynastyEnd of the Zhou dynasty Disjointed kingdom that existed in chaosDisjointed kingdom that existed in chaos Questions of what a good leader should Questions of what a good leader should

be and what a good subject should bebe and what a good subject should be

All of this lead to what we now know as All of this lead to what we now know as the 100 schools period- a golden age of the 100 schools period- a golden age of

Chinese philosophy.Chinese philosophy.

The MenThe Men

Confucius- orphaned, impoverished Confucius- orphaned, impoverished scholar of the noble class. Was denied a scholar of the noble class. Was denied a government post and opened a school government post and opened a school instead. The family man.instead. The family man.

Mozi- artisan who worked his way up and, Mozi- artisan who worked his way up and, like Confucius, is believed to have opened like Confucius, is believed to have opened a school. The hippie intellectual.a school. The hippie intellectual.

Laozi- semi-mythical, maybe a composite Laozi- semi-mythical, maybe a composite of several actual historical figures. Anti- of several actual historical figures. Anti- authoritarian. The anarchist. authoritarian. The anarchist.

The PhilosophiesThe Philosophies

Confucianism (named for Confucius)Confucianism (named for Confucius) Daoism (led by Laozi)Daoism (led by Laozi) Moisism (named for Mozi)Moisism (named for Mozi) LegalismLegalism

LegalismLegalism

People are bad by nature (simple, People are bad by nature (simple, right!)right!)

… … THEREFORE, we need a strong THEREFORE, we need a strong government with strict laws and government with strict laws and harsh punishments to keep evil harsh punishments to keep evil under control.under control.

Han Fei Zi a famous LegalistHan Fei Zi a famous Legalist

MoismMoism

In a nutshell: Love, and love alone In a nutshell: Love, and love alone can solve all problems can solve all problems

Believed in universal love: equal love Believed in universal love: equal love for all, whether ruler, subject, family, for all, whether ruler, subject, family, strangers.strangers.

Educated men could make decisions Educated men could make decisions if necessary if necessary

Mo zi foundedMo zi founded

DaoismDaoism

Goal: to find Dao, or “the way” of the Goal: to find Dao, or “the way” of the universeuniverse

How: by being in harmony with How: by being in harmony with nature and with one’s feelingsnature and with one’s feelings

Wanted a small, simple society, not Wanted a small, simple society, not too much governmenttoo much government

Had a few leaders before LaoziHad a few leaders before Laozi Holy Book: the Dao De ChingHoly Book: the Dao De Ching

ConfucianismConfucianism

Looked for Dao in the smooth, harmonious Looked for Dao in the smooth, harmonious relationships between families, people, relationships between families, people, and governmentsand governments

Stressed the importance of five basic Stressed the importance of five basic relationships: husband and wife, father relationships: husband and wife, father and son, older and younger brother, friend and son, older and younger brother, friend and friend, ruler and subject.and friend, ruler and subject.

Believed government should be based on Believed government should be based on the example of virtue, not on laws and the example of virtue, not on laws and punishment.punishment.

Breakdown of Philosophical Breakdown of Philosophical PositionsPositions

ConfucianisConfucianismm

MoismMoism LegalismLegalism DaoismDaoism

HumanHuman

NatureNatureGood Good (later, (later, good and good and bad)bad)

goodgood badbad Neither Neither good good nor badnor bad

Gov’tGov’t Rule by Rule by example, like example, like a good fathera good father

Rule by Rule by men of men of learninglearning

Rule by Rule by strict law.strict law.

Any gov’t Any gov’t is is pointless.pointless.

RightRight

ConducConductt

Sincerity, Sincerity, loyalty, loyalty, kindness, kindness, respectrespect

Universal Universal lovelove

Obedience Obedience to strict to strict lawslaws

Simple, Simple, thoughtful thoughtful lifestylelifestyle