Comparing Daoism, Confucianism, And Legalism In Classical China

In China during 406-221 BCE, the battling states between the Zhou and the Han Dynasties? were in a state of governmental disorder. Although the era was in a disruptive state, it ushered in a cultural opening that left a long lasting imprint on the Chinese history. As a result, three major belief systems surfaced Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism in an attempt to achieve a sense of political order in a disorder period. There are distinctions in the way each of the belief systems approached the many problems that plagued the Chinese society. First, all of the founders were contemporaries in China. As well as considered philosophies, who studied the future, and sat out to focus on the present rather than the past. In contrast, Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism established various paths in search of an optimistic future for the success of China. Second, both Legalism and Confucianism developed a social belief system, but are considered a religion. However, both Legalism and Confucianism purpose was to create an orderly society in the hopes of prosperity. In contrast, Daoism does

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism were the three main philosophies in ancient China for a form of government. I state that Daoism is the most effective form of government because it is based around balance: balance in nature and opposites of the universe. Daoism has the highest number of followers at around 20 million people among the three philosophies. Daoism is concerned with helping people live in harmony with their self.

From 600 BCE to 600 CE, China experienced changes in its political system in terms of the dissimilar ruling styles of different leaders, the rule under Legalism, and the influence of philosophical thinking like Daoism. These changes, influenced by aspects of the world and its own region, shaped China into its Classical state. In contrast, the concept of the Mandate of Heaven, the civil service system, and the significance of unity through a strong central government remained constant throughout China’s Classical period. These continuities followed through, staying essentially the same as an important part of China’s identity.

Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such a profound impact in the fields of politics, religion, and philosophy. Even to this day, their influence can be seen on the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism, are three Chinese ideologies in Classic China that held influence on how society should be, how to achieve order and what made government strong. Anyone that was a practitioner of these three philosophies would have had no idea how the Roman Republic or Empire worked in those regards. It would not be surprising if a Confucian, a Daoist and a Legalist had praise and dislike for how Rome was ran.

This was mostly a centralized democracy. This idea remained in use due to the fact that it brought all power to the officials in the government. The government officials favored this system due to their gained power. In all of China’s dynasties, women were always inferior to men.

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism were the three political beliefs and institutions of Classical China. Confucianism was about the connection between personal virtue and a stable political life. It emphasizes having respect for other people, especially one’s social superiors. It taught people ethics and loyalty to their government. Daoism, on the other hand, was the belief in harmony and balance among people and the world around them. It embraces the idea of magic and the mystery of nature. Daoism greatly influenced science and art in China. Legalism was the harshest of these beliefs. Legalists promoted discipline and a state that ruled by force. Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism are all different but each contributed to Classical Chinese philosophy.

Chinese philosophy is “part religious, part political” (China PPT Notes). Chinese philosophy is composed of 3 different branches- Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism. Each of these were considered a type of school and each has

Confucianism is a belief system of thoughts taught by Confucius in China during the 5th and 6th century BCE during the Zhou dynasty. During this time, China was dealing with serious political conflicts, moral chaos, and intellectual conflict and order were almost non-existent. During this political struggle, Confucius believed that going back to the “traditional ways” was the only path for society to get back on track and developed his thought into what is known as Confucianism. It has existed for over two millennia and has changed over time. Some people refer to Confucianism as philosophy while others view it as a religion. Confucianism is a belief system which can be incorporated into other religious beliefs and forms of religion. This belief system has heavily influenced politics and life in China and neighboring places.

For this paper, I will be discussing two opposing ideologies, Confucianism and Legalism. Towards the later part of ancient China (e.g Han dynasty), states started to adopt a mixture of Confucianism and Legalistic ideology. Why did Legalism and Confucianism fall off?

In china there has been no central rule in China for 70 years until the Song Dynasty created in 960. Things started to change in China, for example, the government started to aid the poor a lot more than what they have in the past. They were getting this money from the newly introduced income tax. This made a lot of people happy and everyone started to have more patriotism and pride. This pride gave the government a feel of legitimacy. Some of the major things the government is paying for is the roads, food, and education. Pottery at this time helps out the economy in China, because the pottery is so advanced that it was being exported for good money and it also led more people to come to China. Even though China was number one in the world for many things like technology and a sophisticated culture they were weak military wise (Holcombe p.127).

Confucian ethics focused on groups, humans living in communities and in societies advancing human culture and civilization in harmony and balance with each other. Taoist(Daoist) ethics focused on individuals separate lives and personal moral advancement in harmony and balance with nature. Both Confucian and Daoists focus on cultivation of Wen and virtue of Te-power without force. Both also focus on a kind of humility. In Confucianism this is Chun Tzu; in Daosim it is humility to nature and natural order. Both honor the past, tradition, and ancestors, and both have a concern for the future. However, the

Confucianism is an ethical and philosophical system, originated from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE). Often viewed as a religion, Confucianism can be understood as a way of thinking or living. Confucius thought the world was made of orderly hierarchies in both of family and government, and that people at the top of the hierarchy should rule with kindness to win the respect of their people. Where Legalism emphasizes law. The law rewards who obeys and punish who break it. One of the most famous contributor of Legalism, was Han Fei Zi, he believed that the ruler should follow these three tools to govern his people. This paper will examine Confucianism and Legalism and discuss the differences between the two systems in ancient china.

In China, people often talk about sanjiao, referring to the “three teachings (san) and philosophies (jiao) of Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism” (Oxtoby 269). However, before the arrival of Buddhism in China, Confucianism and Daoism played dominant roles in the societal, political and spiritual practices of the Chinese people. While both Confucian and Daoist practitioners similarly strive for peace and harmony, there are distinct differences between these two philosophies.

     `Perhaps, hundreds of years thereafter the attributions of Huang Di and Yan Di, the leaders known as Yao, Shun and Yu had led the people one after another. Yu was a prestigious and popular leader who supposedly gained the respect of his followers by taming two flooding rivers by redirecting their currents towards the sea. Upon the death of Yu his son, Qi. had succeeded as ruler. With this first exchange in rule the first dynasty in Chinese history had been founded. It was called the Xia dynasty. With the establishment of its first dynasty China had been transformed from a primitive society, consisting of no family structure, private property, or class distinction, to a society based mainly on family and private ownership. Little is known about the Xia dynasty except for that it had lasted four hundred years and was ultimately overthrown by the Shang,a state that was east of the Chinese establishment.