Transcript Classical China - HISTORY APPRECIATION

Classical China
600BCE –600 CE
Belief Systems
Zhou Period (Western & Eastern)
 Warring States Period
 Creative Period
 100 Schools of Thought
 Confucianism
 Legalism
 Daoism
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What do the three Belief Systems
have in Common?
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Religion or Philosophy?
Goal: Search for order
A political treaties of sorts
Founders were contemporaries of one
another
No discussion of Gods
Not a search for salvation - afterlife
Deals with life here – and – now!
Points of Difference
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Founder’s view of…
Nature of Man
 Role of Government
 Proper function of Government
 “Ideal man”
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Impact on classical China and its
people
Confucianism
 Confucius
 Analects
 Teacher
 Scholar
Founder
Legalism
 Han Feizi
 Originally Confucian
trained
 Writings influenced Shi
Huangdi (Qin)
Daoism
 Lao Zi
 The Way
Man: Nature & Propriety
Legalism
Confucianism
 Essentially bad
 Essentially good
 Praise the right
 Education necessary
 Blame the wrong
 Filial piety
 Do not fawn on the
 Virtue
noble
 Good example
Daoism
 5 Relationships
 Essentially good
 Renounce learning
 Humility
 Go with flow
Government: Role & Function
Confucianism
Lead by virtue
Uniformity
Filial and kind leadership
Advance the good
Teach the incompetent
Legalism
“The two handles”
Chastisement & commendation
Death/torture- severe penalty
Rewards
Daoism
Freedom from action
“I will do nothing, and
people will be
transformed”
What connections can you make to
Hinduism and Buddhism?
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Proper Behavior
What would Confucianists/Legalists consider to be
their dharma?
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Connection to Government
What Indian Empires/Rulers would be natural
Confucianists? Legalists?
Impact on Classical China
Confucianism
Han Dynasty
State Philosophy
Benefits?
Drawbacks?
Legalism
Qin ShiHuangdi – first
emperor of China
Benefits?
Drawbacks?
Daoism
Government?
Popular religion
The Arts
Private Lives