Ancient China



Ancient China

Chapter 8: Ancient China

Lesson Two Notes pp. 258-263

II. China’s Ancient Philosophies

A. Legalism

1. Legalism – belief that rulers should have rules that make people obey the laws.

2. This meant for organization and a strong government.

3. Legalist believed the people were wicked by nature and would only do good if forced to do it.

4. Felt that laws must be strict to control this bad behavior – to make people afraid.

5. They even taught you should tell on your neighbor.

6. They believed in no complaining and punishing those who question the government or taught different ideas.

7. They burned books with different ideas.

B. Confucianism

1. Confucius lived 551-479 BC

2. He believed in absolute respect of others to create peace.

3. Government officials should set a good example.

4. Confusius’ students wrote his ideas into a book called the Analects.

5. The Analects is the belief system of Confucianism.

6. The five relationship of Confucianism with codes of proper conduct.

a. Father and son

b. Husband and wife

c. Elder brother and younger brother

d. Friend and friend

e. Ruler and subject

7. These five relationships center on family and society

8. Good conduct and respect begin at home.

9. Filial Piety – treating parents with respect.

10. Other information about Confucius (p. 262)

a. Confucius means “Master Kong”

b. Started as a shepherd at age 19 for a noble family.

c. Then he became a tutor of wealthy children.

d. He said “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

e. At age 51, he was appointed the minister of justice in his home state of Lu. It is said crime went to zero.

f. Later, he had to leave his post and felt like a failure.

C. Daoism

1. Founder of Daoism was Laozi – “old master” 550 BC

2. Their book of teaching is called Dao De Jin “The book of the way of virtue”.

3. Laozi called it Daoism and it is very different from Confusianism and Legalism.

4. They believe that a universal force called Dao – “the way”- guides all things.

5. All creatures live in harmony with nature except humans.

6. Humans have to find an individual way or Dao to harmonize with nature and the person’s inner feelings.

7. There was no good or bad, and they did not want to be involved in government.

8. To live in the Yin and Yang

a. “Yin (black) stands for all that is cold, dark and mysterious.”

b. “Yang (white) represents all that is warm, bright and light.”

c. Always changing and evolving, and helps people see how they fit in the world.

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