Chinese Philosophies: Differences in Confucianism, Daoism and the Legalist Philosophy in Ancient China
Through the centuries China adopted several philosophies into itsculture. Three of these philosophies are Confucianism, Daoism, and theLegalist philosophy of ancient China. Daoism is an organized religious tradition that has been continuouslydeveloping and transforming itself through China, Korea and Japan for overtwo thousand years (Miller pp). Daoism has no single founder, such asJesus or the Buddha, and does not have a single key message, rather "Daoismbears witness to a history of continuous self-invention within a vastdiversity of environmental contexts" (Miller pp). The human experience ofchange and transformation in one's body and in the world lies at the heartof the Daoist experience (Miller pp).While Western religion seeks to place trust in an
Daoism believes in the here and now, that life is ever changing. "Confucianism, major system of thought in China, developed from theteachings of Confucius and his disciples, and concerned with the principlesof good conduct, practical wisdom, and proper social relationships"(Confucianism pp). A Confucian philosopher strove to beresponsible, controlled, and temperate (Confucius pp). A Classical Chinese philosophy that emphasizes the need for orderabove all human concerns in Legalism (Legalism pp). Confucianism believes in the importance of benevolence and the teaching ofthe ancients. Confucius believed that as theruler remained benevolent, the government will naturally work toward thegood of the people (Confucius pp). "unchanging and invisiblestability that somehow transcends the fleeting experience of time, Daoistsrecognize and celebrate the profound and mysterious creativity within thevery fabric of time and space itself" (Miller pp). Confucianism becameassociated with a reverence for ancient books and ancient gods, and grew tobe the official state philosophy of the Chinese empire and remained sountil the 20th century (Confucius pp). Kung Fu Tzu, or Confucius, lived in the middle of thesixth century BC. The founder of the Legalistic school was Hsun Tzu or Hsun-tzu and accordingto his thinking the most important principle was "that humans areinherently evil and inclined toward criminal and selfish behavior"(Legalism pp). Confucius' policy was to accept anyone as a disciple if thestudent was genuinely eager to learn, a revolutionary idea in a society inwhich education was the exclusive privilege of the aristocracy (Confuciuspp). He is one of the first Chinese philosophers to leave behind acollection of teachings that can be reliably ascribed to his authorship,the Lun yu, or Analects (Confucius pp). and is one of the most important figures of this time(One pp). Therefore, if humans are allowed to engage in their "naturalproclivities," the result can only be conflict and social disorder(Legalism pp).
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