Classical China

1
Classical China

• 600BCE 600 CE

2
Belief Systems

• Zhou Period (Western Eastern)
• Warring States Period
• Creative Period
• 100 Schools of Thought
• Confucianism
• Legalism
• Daoism

3
What do the three Belief Systems have in Common?

• 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!

4
Points of Difference

• Founders view of
• Nature of Man
• Role of Government
• Proper function of Government
• Ideal man
• Impact on classical China and its people

5
Founder

• Confucianism
• Confucius
• Analects
• Teacher
• Scholar

• Legalism
• Han Feizi
• Originally Confucian trained
• Writings influenced Shi Huangdi (Qin)

• Daoism
• Lao Zi
• The Way

6
Man Nature Propriety

• Legalism
• Essentially bad
• Praise the right
• Blame the wrong
• Do not fawn on the noble

• Confucianism
• Essentially good
• Education necessary
• Filial piety
• Virtue
• Good example
• 5 Relationships

• Daoism
• Essentially good
• Renounce learning
• Humility
• Go with flow

7
Government Role Function

• Legalism
• The two handles
• Chastisement commendation
• Death/torture- severe penalty
• Rewards

• Confucianism
• Lead by virtue
• Uniformity
• Filial and kind leadership
• Advance the good
• Teach the incompetent

• Daoism
• Freedom from action
• I will do nothing, and people will be
  transformed

8
What connections can you make to Hinduism and
Buddhism?

• Proper Behavior
• What would Confucianists/Legalists consider to be
  their dharma?
• Connection to Government
• What Indian Empires/Rulers would be natural
  Confucianists? Legalists?

9
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