Chinese philosophy

The Origins of Daoism It is explained in three different theories listed below. Attitudinal Daoism I: Anarchism Attitudinal Daoism II: Authoritarian Intuitionism Pre-Laozi Daoist Theory Much of the thrust of Daoism, as we have seen, naturally motivates a reaction against the moralistic and elitist inclinations of Confucianism. Confucianism stood for a rigid, detailed, traditional pattern of hierarchical social behavior. Duties were assigned to all of one's social roles—and a person typically…

Confucianism played a significant role in shaping the political and social structure of the traditional Chinese society of the imperial period of Chinese history. It is not easy to define Confucianism because there are noticeable differences and sometimes contradictions among the phases of Confucianism. Rather than to say Confucianism arose unexpectedly, it arose in response to the status quo of society. At different periods of time, Confucianism established relative order, unified the minds of…

of the most famous philosophies that originated in China around 500 B.C.E. Lao-Tzu, translated as “the old master”, was known for having founded the philosophy of Taoism as well as being the author of the Tao Te Ching. The main concept of Taoism is the “Tao”, otherwise known as the “the way”, which pertains to the way of the universe as well as the way of humans. At the center of Confucianism was Confucius, a teacher whose teachings were recorded and compiled into several Chinese texts by his…

some of their dialogues and his statements called the Analects. Within the text, Confucius continually brings up this ideal person known as the perfect gentleman. This ideal of a gentleman is a very important concept in Confucianism and throughout Chinese history, having both a moral and political philosophical stand. Everything from how the government should be run to how one should act morally to self cultivation was based on his concept of the gentleman. Some even suggest that Confucius…

Kong Zi, or more well known as Confucius, was a success in his philosophical teachings of morality and high virtues. Confucius was born around 551 BC in the Lu State of China; at a young age, his father passed away, leaving him under the care of his mother until his mother also died. Confucius, very poor, married at a young age and had two daughters; one died at a young age. Quite soon after, Confucius went to go to school for commoners where he learned the six arts of archery, music, ritual,…

Sages in Today’s World In both Confucian and Daoism, the idea of a “sage”, is the ultimate title an individual can get in his/her life. Being called a sage, first and foremost, means one must fulfills the moral standards set by each philosophy idea. In Daoism, the way of being is more emphasized on individual’s state of mind, and in Confucian, the idea is focused on duty and position, individual’s relation to the whole society. The ideas are taught and spread by the voice the sages, as both…

Han Fei Tzu: Legalism, is an ancient Chinese philosophy concerned with the art of rulership and the stability of the state. Along with hundreds of other philosophical schools, legalism emerged during the Warring States Period (453-422 BC), a time of intense political and intellectual turmoil. Unlike other schools of thought, legalism defined the strength of the state, through a system of punishments and rewards, propagated by common laws. Neither concerning itself with Confucian idealization of…

During most Chinese dynasties, women had comparatively lower social status compared to men and did not enjoy the same rights. In fact, this situation might be a result of honoring and following the doctrines of traditional Chinese philosophical schools, which originally flourished in the Pre-Qin era. Although some schools of thoughts recognized the necessity of equality between men and women, most refused to acknowledge any such thing. The three important philosophical schools, Confucianism,…

Philosophy is a universal form of thinking that has persisted throughout time. It is an endless endeavor at trying to understand the universe and our place in it. Lao Tzu is a chinese philosopher who founded Taoism which is defined as a way of life. He wrote his ideas in a book called Tao Te Ching that is still known around the world today. Marcus Aurelius is a Roman emperor who wrote Meditations, a book that has details about Marcus Aurelius’ thoughts and stoicism in general. While these two…

survival was at stake. Therefore, through an authoritative central state and a system of external rewards and punishments, the government demanded obedience from their people and harnessed their labor through coercion. Nonetheless, each version of Chinese government proselytized by the ancient philosophers was based on a societal hierarchy with one ruler in command while the subjects dutifully…