Libertyville HS – World History. “Period of Warring States” China descended into chaos;...
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Transcript of Libertyville HS – World History. “Period of Warring States” China descended into chaos;...
Libertyville HS – World History
Chinese Philosophical Traditions
Background / Context“Period of Warring
States”China descended
into chaos; culture appeared to be threatened
Chinese scholars wanted to revive values of respect, harmony and social organization
Confucius (551-479 BC)
Believed social order, harmony & good government were brought about by learning
Believed human beings could be perfected through learning
Confucius, inChinese
“Five Relationships”Confucius believed
that all society would be restored with restoration of 5 relationshipsRuler and SubjectFather and SonHusband and WifeOlder Brother and
Younger BrotherOlder Friend and
Younger Friend
Confucian IdealsBelieved personal virtue
would lead to good government
Stressed filial piety, or the need for children to respect their parents and their elders (& the living, the dead)
Education could transform a peasant into a gentleman
Believed power was something to be wielded for the benefit of the people
Filial Piety scene
Confucius’ LifeAppointed Minister
of JusticeLegend: crime
disappeared overnight
Resigned when boss interfered with his methods
Continued teaching & wrote the Analects
The AnalectsMeans “Conversation”
in ChineseCollection of sayings
attributed to ConfuciusFocus of Analects
Interpersonal relationships
Relationship of king to ministers
Relationship of government to people
Confucianism is NOT a religion!
LegalismBelieved that
government, not virtue, was the key to restoring order to China
Revered those who carried out their duty
Believed in harsh punishment for those that did not fulfill their duty
Believed that people were selfish, greedy, etc but could be made good by laws
Legalism, AppliedQin Dynasty applied Legalism to their government
Result = Authoritarian gov’tObeying government
more important than exercising individual freedom
Disagreement with government was a capital offense
Legalists suggested rulers burn all writings critical of government
Peasant rebellions against government began in far-off provinces
Local officials were afraid to report problem to central government
Central government didn’t learn of rebellions until it was too late to stop
Downfall of Legalism
DaoismLao Zi and the Dao De
Ching (The Way of Virtue)Universal force, Dao,
is a guide to all thingsNothing in nature
strives for fame, power (they are one with the Way)
Only MAN resists The Way by strivingMan questions right,
wrong; this goes against The Way (pointless question to Daoists)
Daoist Beliefs
I ChingBook of oracle bones
consulted for ethical, practical problems
Gave good advice based on common sense
Daoist BeliefsYin & Yang
Power that represent rhythm of life
When equally present, all in one’s life is calm
When one is outweighed, there is confusion / disarray in life
Yin = Heaven / Male / Active
Yang = Earth / Female / Passive
Daoism was NOT a religion but rather a way of living
The Three Philosophies, TodayConfucianism, Daoism
have shaped China for more than 2000 years’
Opposing duality of ideasConfucianism
represents individual moral duty, community standards, governmental responsibility
Daoism represents individual freedom & spontaneity, laissez faire government, mysticism
The Three Philosophies, TodayThree ideas of Legalism
have survived to todayUtilitarianism: do jobs
that materially benefit others (esp. agriculture)
Rule of Law: law is supreme over all, incl. Emperor
Uniformity of law, culture, language increases cultural coherence & gov’t centralization