Chinese Philosophy Essay Essay

Three atomic number 18as of ism emerged amidst the pandemonium and constant warring of the cabbage era. The terce were cal conduct Confucianism, Daoism, and legalism. They were Chinese philosophies that were cerebration to be the outperform modal values to rule and achieve revisal in the society. Confucianism believed that a rulers job was to set a commodity example, and not order. Since people were thought of as pictorially good, they would following the right avenue based on their own conscience. Legalism was a to a greater extent harsh way of ruling, led by Hanfeizi. They thought people were evil, and in precipitationible strict uprightnesss and punishment to keep them in line.Daoism was very different from either of the early(a) two. It was led by Laozi, who taught that the best miscellanea of government was sensation who governed the least. They allowed things to simply fool their natural course and work themselves out. Although some(prenominal) Daoism and lega lism were working philosophies, Confucianism was the just about resultant roleive in obtaining order. At the time of the three philosophies, antiquated china was in a relegate of complete chaos. The duration of anarchy was named The war- resignden States Period, a period in which petty(a) feuding kingdoms or fiefdoms struggled for supremacy.It similarlyk place in the Zhou dynasty from 403 bc. to 221bc. The period was dominated by s point-spot or much small feuding Chinese kingdoms. It was the age of Confucian thinkers Mencius and Xunzi, and the time when many a(prenominal) of the government institutions and cultural patterns that would char fermenterize china for the next 2,000 years were established. Legalism achieved what all the former(a) philosophies strove for, unification of mainland China. The Qin Dynasty, operating under the Legalist philosophy, last unified China in 221 BC. Legalism was a success. However, the Qin Dynasty dissolved notwithstanding 14 years af ter its founding.The Qin emperor was merciless in his use of Legalism, punishing even small crimes with decapitation or the injury of a hand or foot. Han Feizi, legalisms founder, did not believe in gaining the abide by of the people. He rural atomic number 18ad Those who are ignorant roughly government insistently say progress the hearts of the people (Document H). To uphold his beliefs books and scholars which held beliefs against Legalism (such as Confucianism) were destroyed. The people were heavily taxed and forced into grate on major government projects. He successfully put the fear and respect of the law and government into the people, but it was too much. later his death, peasant rebellions caused the end of Legalism as the ruling philosophy of China. The harshness of the Legalist Qin would be remembered afterwards, and in response the following dynasty, the Han, distanced itself from Legalism and do Confucianism the official philosophy. Daoism summarizes spiritu ality to the otherwise regret world of Chinese philosophy. The quote odor to simplicity cleave the uncarved diaphragm Diminish self and curb desires (Document G) is a perfect example of the views held by Daoist followers. Its teachings appealed to those who wished to except from the politics and deception of society.Daoisms concepts of capital of New Hampshire and relativity make a constituent of sense even today. The idea of utilize nature as the model, which people give ear up to, is reflected in the religion. Because of its anti-society attitude, Daoism obviously never made its way into any systems of government. It survived among the common soldier citizens and to this day, Daoist monks still exist in China. Daoism was founded by Laozi in the sixth century BC. His teachings were passed deal orally before they were compiled in the third gear century BC in a book called the Classic of the Way and Its Power. Dao nub way. It is understood that the Dao is the underlying pattern of the universe, which smoke neither be described in words nor conceived in thought. The goal of Daoism is to exploit all elements of existence- heaven, earth, and man- into harmony. To be in consistency with the Dao, the individual must empty himself of doctrines and knowledge, act with simplicity and humility, and above all stress Nature. The idea of turning to Nature for peaceableness and harmony had a great effect on East Asian shades, peculiarly in the arts, where idealized and imaginary landscapes and natural art forms are profoundly think to the beliefs of Daoism.At first, Confucianism was unsuccessful and Confucius, during his briotime only managed to collect a few followers. afterwards his death, however, his followers passed on the Confucian tradition. It survived, with a few changes, to the Han dynasty (221 BC) and became established as Chinas official philosophy. From then it was securely strong established in Chinese culture, and its values can sti ll be seen today. The Five Classics of Confucianism were works from the Zhou Dynasty, which preceded the militant States Period. They were collected and edited by members of the superior Confucian school.After Confucianism became the official state philosophy, one had to know the philosophy well in order to gain the envy position of government official. The analecta are a collection of sayings by Confucius, enter by his disciples. As a result, the Analects are not a widespread proposal of Confucianism. Rather, it is a collection of quotations and stories. Because of this, Confucianism concord to Confucius is open to interpretation. The main idea of the philosophy is, righteousness, relationships and generosity towards others.Since the time of the Han dynasty (206 CE) four life passages pay back been recognized and regulated by Confucian tradition. There are more or less 6 million Confucians in the world. more or less 26,000 live in North the States almost all of the rem ainder are found by dint ofout China and the persist of Asia. In Chinese tradition, filial pietism was the key trade. In one of Confucious analects he stated, The superior man piece of music his parents are alive, reverently nourishes them and when they are dead, reverently sacrifices to them.His chief thought is how, to the end of life, not to disgrace them (Document B). Being a filial countersign meant absolute obedience to ones parents during their lifetime and as they grew older, taking the best possible care of them. After their death the eldest son was ask to perform ritual sacrifices at their gravesite or in the ancestral temple. A son could also express his devotion to his parents by passing the Civil Service examinations, attractive prestige for the whole family. Most fundamental of all, a son had to make accredited that the family line would be continued.Dying without a son therefore was one of the wrap up offenses against the concept of filial piety. If a brotherhood remained barren, it was a sons duty to take a second married char or adopt a tike in order to continue the family. Since Chinese women became part of their husbands family by marriage, filial conduct for a woman meant faithfully serving her in-laws, in circumstance her make-in-law, and giving birth to a son. By fulfilling these duties, she also gained prestige for her own family.If the mother and daughter-in-law did not get along, filial piety demanded that a man should get rid of his wife in order to cheer his mother. He could always get other wife, but he would only have one mother. These social rules in the culture helped in the unification of families in China Some might argue that Daoism and Legalism were more efficient ways of acquiring harmony. Legalism was the most effective way of governing a society. The legalist tradition derives from the ruler that the best way to control gentleman behavior was by means of written law rather than through ritual, cus tom or ethics.The legalist tradition was derived from the principle that the best way to control human behavior was through written law rather than through ritual, custom or ethics. Daoism shaped Chinese life for more than 2,000 years. Daoism placed emphasis upon individual exemption and impulsiveness, non-interventionist government and social primitivism and ideas of self-transformation, and so represents in many ways the supplant of Confucian concern with individual righteous duties, community standards, and governmental responsibilities.Both philosophies add up many pros, but fall short of Confucianisms vast accomplishments. The national pole of Confucianism was reformist, idealistic, and spiritual. It generated a high ideal for family interaction members were to treat each other with love, respect, and consideration for the needs of all. The school of thought founded by Confucius has had the biggest impact on Chinese culture. It has lasted throughout the ages and literally pu lled the Han Dynasty out of conk out and chaos. Even to this day, the influence of Confucianism can be espied in many matters of China.