Chinese Philosophies: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, historical contexts, and defining principles of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism.

Confucious

Chinese philosopher (551–479 BCE) who lived during the late Zhou period of political fragmentation and recurring warfare, whose students recorded his teachings in a book.

Warring States Period

The historical era from 475–221 BCE in China characterized by conflict and political fragmentation, prompting the development of philosophies to restore social order.

Ren

A Confucian virtue signifying humaneness and care for others, centered on the idea to 'measure the feelings of others by one's own.'

Filial Piety

A core Confucian practice defined as respect and care for parents and ancestors.

Five Relationships

In Confucianism, the foundational everyday relationships where order begins: parent and child, ruler and subject, husband and wife, siblings, and friends.

Essential Belief of Confucianism

The principle that society gains order when people fulfill their roles respectfully: the ruler sets a moral example, ministers serve with integrity, and families practice respect and care.

Legalism

A philosophy centered on order through law, emphasizing clear, strict, and impersonal rules backed by the ruler's ability to strictly enforce them.

Legalist View of Human Behavior

The premise that human beings respond primarily to rewards and punishments, leading rulers to reward obedience and punish violations.

Qin Unification (221 BCE)

The unification of China in 221 BCE aided by Legalist governance methods, which later governments continued to employ alongside Confucian ideas.

Daoism

A philosophy centered on living in harmony with the Dao, influenced by the natural world, living simply, and seeking balance rather than rigid control.

Wu Wei

A Daoist concept translated as non-forcing action, meaning to move with circumstances instead of trying to control everything ('he works without doing').

Yin and Yang

In Daoist philosophy, concepts that describe complementary forces within nature, demonstrating the importance of balance over rigid control.