Chinese Philosophy - Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism

Confucianism founder

Confucius

Confucianism is a…

very serious way of life that many view as a religion

What constitutes humanity? (Confucianism)

Being able to practice five virtues everywhere in the world

Five Confucian Virtues

courtesy, magnanimity (generosity), good faith, diligence, and kindness

He who is courteous is… (Confucianism)

not humiliated

He who is magnanimous… (Confucianism)

wins the multitude

He who is of good faith is… (Confucianism)

trusted by the people

He who is diligent… (Confucianism)

attains his objective

He who is kind… (Confucianism)

can get service from the people

Confucian relationships

Ruler over subject, father over son, husband over wife, older brother over younger brother, and friend to friend

Why must friends be equal? (Confucianism)

Power imbalances could possibly create strange issues

If confucian relationships are followed…

society will run smoothly

Filial Piety (Confucianism)

Reverence for parents and elders, "loyalty of sons"

What is the one word that can serve as a principle for the conduct of life? (Confucianism)

Reciprocity

Reciprocity (Confucianism)

Treat others the way you want to be treated

Rulers should… (Confucianism)

lead by example and be upright

What happens when you respond to heaven by creating order? (Confucianism)

Blessings result

Legalism founder

Han Feizi

Do laws or morality hold power in legalism?

Laws hold power over morality

The relationship between superior and subordinate should not be based on… (Legalism)

affection

Humans will naturally be… (Legalism)

bad, lazy, and have no moral compass

Why can't you rely on the wisdom of the people? (Legalism)

They have the minds of little children, they don't know what's good for them.

Heavier punishments and increased security will ensure… (Legalism)

less crime in the state

What does the enlightened ruler do in terms of guards, penalties, and laws? (Legalism)

He increases the guards, makes penalties heavier, and depends on laws to control the people.

What kind of rewards and laws are the best ways to rule? (Legalism)

Rewards should be rich and certain, punishments should be severe and definite, and laws should be uniform and steadfast.

Daoism founder

Lao Tzu

What is known about Lao Tzu?

Not much, some think he's a religious figure

Daoism is a ____, ____, ____, and ____ system

philosophical, ethical, governmental, religious

What is the key idea of daoism?

There should be a small government

Too much ____ ruins society (Daoism)

governing

The more ____ and ____ are made prominent, the more ____ and ____ there will be. (Daoism)

laws, order, thieves, robbers

Best to worst rulers in daoism

1. Scarcely known by subjects, 2. loved and praised, 3. feared, 4. despised

What makes a man fit to be ruler of a state? (Daoism)

If no one knows to what extent a man's power reaches

If a ruler does nothing, the people will… (Daoism)

right themselves

If a ruler keeps from meddling, the people will… (Daoism)

grow rich

If a ruler is free from desire, the people will… (Daoism)

come naturally back to simplicity

What happens when a nation is filled with strife? (Daoism)

Patriots flourish

If the people are too hard to govern, it is because… (Daoism)

those in authority are too fond of action

Humans will naturally be… (Daoism)

good and do good

Knowing others is ____, knowing yourself is ____ ____ (Daoism)

intelligence, true wisdom

Mastering others is ____, mastering yourself is ____ ____ (Daoism)

strength, true power

What is the true free-living human being? (Daoism)

The one that achieves his dream without depending on someone

Failing to honor people means… (Daoism)

they fail to honor you

He who knows does not ____; he who ____ does not know (Daoism)

speak, speaks

A simple life is… (Daoism)

better

What is the golden rule of daoism?

Treat people how you'd like to be treated

What happens when rulers have no faith in their people? (Daoism)

Their people become unfaithful to them