Thinkers and Philosophers (Chinese Civilizations)

Confucius (Kongzi)

551-479 BCE

Focused on moral behavior, filial piety, rituals, and being a good person.

Focus on people, you can't know metaphysical things

Believed society works best when everyone knows their role and acts virtuously (Hierarchy)

Core values: Ren (humaneness), Li (ritual/proper behavior).

Education and self-cultivation were key to becoming a "gentleman" (junzi).

'Golden Rule' values

He wanted rulers to lead by example, not force.

Remember: ancient China's wise grandpa. He wants everyone to behave well and respect tradition.

Mengzi

372-289 BCE

Argued that people are naturally good and have a "heart of compassion."

People are good, they just need find it again

Emphasized moral development, benevolent rulers, and education.

Advocated that unjust rulers should be removed.

Used metaphors like sprouts of virtue to show how people grow morally.

Reaffirms "Heaven's Mandate"

Remember: optimistic Confucian. He believes everyone has a kind heart.

Mozi

- c. 470-391 BCE

Philosophy:

Opposed Confucius! Said rituals were a waste of time and money.

Believed in universal love - treat everyone equally, not just family.

Focused on practical solutions: build defenses, stop war, help the poor.

Believed in meritocracy - people should be promoted based on skill, not birth.

Disliked music and rituals if they didn't serve a real purpose.

Egalitarian -Equal rights equal fights

Ideal ruler should satisfy material needs

Remember: the practical engineer. No fluff — all function. Anti-war, pro-equality.

Xunzi

310-235 BCE

Opposed Mengzi. Believed people are naturally selfish and need strong training to be good.

Thought rituals and laws shape people into moral beings.

Emphasized discipline, education, and authority.

Education makes humans act good

Goodness is learned, not inherent

OG Emo

Heaven and Spirits don't interfere with human affairs

Remember: realist. Thinks people need discipline to be good.

Laozi

maybe 6th century or 4th BCE (mythical?)

Believed in Dao ("the Way") — the natural flow of the universe.

A "you just gotta get it" mentality.

Language binds and creates false wisdom.

Said people should live simply, quietly, and in harmony with nature.

Opposed strong government and rigid rules.

Wrote the Dao De Jing, a poetic text with cryptic wisdom.

The world has limitless possibilities.

Remember: chill forest hermit. Go with the flow.

Zhuangzi

(369-286)

4th century BCE

Took Laozi's ideas and made them fun and weird.

Used stories and dreams to show that truth is always changing.

Possibilities of the limitation of language.

Believed we shouldn't stress over life or try to control everything.

Famous for the "butterfly dream" — are you dreaming you're a butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming you're you?

The metaphysical implications of moral values and the understanding of self.

Remember: trippy storyteller. Loves paradoxes and dreams.

Legalists (like Han Feizi)

280-233 BCE

Philosophy:

Believed people are selfish and only respond to rewards and punishments.

Wanted all powerful, strict laws, a strong centralized government, and tough punishments.

Thought rulers should not trust anyone, even allies.

Han Feizi combined Xunzi's realism with harsh politics.

Distastin for those who believe blindly in the golden age of the past.

Purely political school of statecraft.

Shaped Qin Dynasty

Remember: they are like strict principals. Rules, rules, rules — no excuses.