1. Confucianism, Daoism, Legalism, and Buddhism were the major philosophies and religions that influenced Chinese society and government. 2. Confucianism emphasized social harmony through strong social hierarchies and education. It became the dominant philosophy of imperial China. 3. Daoism focused on living in harmony with nature and avoiding excessive desires and actions. It promoted non-action and simplicity. 4. Legalism advocated for a strong centralized government ruled by law rather than morality or virtue. It influenced the authoritarian Qin dynasty.

1. Do Now
1- Take a note sheet from the back table
2- Answer the following question on a scrap
piece of paper:
What would you do: You know that you are
failing a class. You know you will be in
trouble when your parents find out. How
would you handle this situation?

2. Enduring Understanding
• Analyze how philosophy, religion, and
technology molded Chinese society and
government
• Describe how Buddhism, Confucianism,
Taoism (Daoism), and Legalism influenced
Chinese society

3. Philosophy
 doctrine: a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted
as authoritative by some group or school
 The rational investigation of questions about
existence and knowledge and ethics
 Any personal belief about how to live or how to
deal with a situation; "self-indulgence was his
only philosophy"; "my father's philosophy of
child-rearing was to let mother do it"

4. Three Doctrine and Legalism
 Philosophies which influenced the
development and execution of
government in China. Each dynasty used
a different philosophy to guide decision
making

5. Confucius
Says:
“He who
learns but
does not think
is lost; he who
thinks but
does not learn
is in danger”

6. Confucianism vs. Buddhism:
Why Buddhism?
 Confucianism is a belief system based on
the ideas of Confucius- A scholar who
taught moral virtues and ethics

7. Confucianism
 A belief system that was
practiced by Chinese
dynasties and their subjects
 Confucius believed that
there was a basic order in
the Universe that should be
reflected in human
relationships. The family
unit being the central
relationship
 Confucianism emphasized
the importance of education

8. 1. Ruler Subject
2. Father Son
3. Husband Wife
4. Older Younger
Brother Brother
5. Older Younger
Friend Friend

9. Confucianism
 Confucianism  5 Confucian
emphasized the following Relationships:
principles:  Ruler to Subject
 Use the right relationships  Husband to Wife
to produce social order  Parent to Child
 Respect for family and  Elder brother to younger
older generations brother
 Educate individuals and  Friend to friend
society
Each role had clearly defined
 Act in morally correct ways duties

10. Confucianism in Government
 Since the family unit is seen as the
primary social unit China’s government
would be a monarchy with it’s structure
based on the structure of the family
 The ruler was seen to be the son of
heaven and the father of the people
 The role of the government was as
protector of the people’s welfare

11. Confucianism in Government
 Confucian political theory emphasized conflict
resolution through mediation rather than the
application of complex rules
 Civil service in which all officials were to be
selected for their moral qualities that would allow
them to govern by example and their status was
measured by their scores on the civil-service
examination

12. How did Confucianism influence
Chinese life?
 Confucius taught that
people could advance
themselves through
education. An emphasis
on education helped
produce an efficient, well-
trained set of government
officials known as
Scholar-Leaders

13. Buddhism
 Buddhism- A religion that started in India
in the 6th century by Siddhartha Gautama
also known as “The Buddha” or
“Enlightened One”

14. Buddhism
 Emphasized the “Four
Basic Truths”
 Suffering is part of life
 The reason people suffer is
that they are too attached
to material possessions
and selfish ideas
 Suffering has an end
 By living in a wise, moral,
and thoughtful way, people
can eventually learn to
escape suffering

15. Not sure when he
died.
[604 B.C.E. - ?]
His name means
“Old Master”
Was he Confucius’
teacher?

16. The basic text of Daoism.
In Chinese, it means The Classic in
the Way and Its Power.
“Those who speak know nothing:
Those who know are silent.”
These words, I am told,
Were spoken by Laozi.
If we are to believe that Laozi,
Was himself one who knew,
How is it that he wrote a book,
Of five thousand words?

17. 1. Dao [Tao] is the first-cause of the
universe. It is a force that flows through
all life.
2. A believer’s goal is to become one with
Dao; one with nature. [“The butterfly or
the man?” story.]
3. Wu wei --> “Let nature take its course.”
--> “The art of doing nothing.”
--> “Go with the flow!”
4. Man is unhappy because he lives acc. to
man-made laws, customs, & traditions that
are contrary to the ways of nature.

18. To escape the “social, political, & cultural traps”
of life, one must escape by:
1. Rejecting formal knowledge and
learning.
2. Relying on the senses and instincts.
3. Discovering the nature and
“rhythm” of the universe.
4. Ignoring political and social laws.

19. Feminine Masculine
Passive Active
Darkness Light
Cold Warmth
Weak Strong
Earth; Heaven;
Moon Sun

20. Daoism or Taoism: “The Way” or
“The Path”
 A belief system that
seeks harmony with
nature and inner feelings
 “The only human actions
that make sense are
those which are in accord
with the flow of nature
 Denounced violence as
reflecting the ultimate
ignorance of the way of
nature
 Opposed Confucianism

21. Taoism
 Taoism rejects any human ideas or standards
which might lead to:
 An overly assertive mode of behavior
 Too strong a commitment to the achievement of
worldly goals
 Denounce violence as reflecting the ultimate
ignorance of the way of nature
 No one should have excessive desires
 Wu-wei- “non-action”- does not mean doing
absolutely nothing, but don nothing unnatural

22. The Uncarved Block
 Taoist favor the spontaneous and the
simple which is reflected in their favorite
image- “The Uncarved Block”
 The block which is uncut and uncrafted is
associated with an original simplicity and
wholeness which is purely natural

23. 280? - 233 B.C.E.
Han Fe Zi.
Lived during the
late Warring States
period.
Legalism became
the political
philosophy of the
Qin [Ch’in] Dynasty.

24. Legalism
 Guiding Principles
 Human nature is naturally selfish
 Intellectualism and literacy is discouraged
 Law is supreme authority and replaces
morality
 The ruler must rule with a strong authoritative
hand
 War is the means for increasing a leader’s
power

25. How is a man to live in a world dominated by
chaos, suffering, and absurdity??
Confucianism --> Moral order in society.
Legalism --> Rule by harsh law & order.
Daoism --> Freedom for individuals and
less govt. to avoid
uniformity and conformity.

26. More to Know
 Daoism  Buddhism “8 Fold


A clever mind is not a heart
There is more to knowing
Path”
than just being correct.  To know the truth
 The wise know their  To intend to resist evil
limitations; the foolish do  To not say anything to hurt others
not.  To respect life, property, and
morality
 To work at a job that does not
injure others
 To try to free one's mind from evil
 To be in control of one's feelings
and thoughts
 To practice appropriate forms of
concentration