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Chinese Philosophies & Ethical Codes. Confucianism. Confucius. Kung Fuzi (Master Kung) about 500 B.C.E. Advisor to rulers during Warring States period of China. Confucian Principles. Ren --> humaneness, benevolence
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Chinese Philosophies & Ethical Codes
Confucius • Kung Fuzi (Master Kung) • about 500 B.C.E. • Advisor to rulers during Warring States period of China
Confucian Principles Ren --> humaneness, benevolence “Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do unto you.” Xiao --> Filial Piety (Respect your elders!)
4 Principle Relationships 1.Ruler Subject 2. Father Son 3. Husband Wife 4. Elder Younger
Organizing Principles • Status • Age • Gender
The Analects • Most important Confucian book. • Focus on social harmony and the role of rulers and bureaucrats in government. • assumes that “people are basically good.” • If someone does something bad, education, not punishment, is the answer. • Good people will mend their ways if they have a good example to follow (the Emperor!)
Sayings from The Analects: Yoda-isms • Knowing what he knows and knowing what he doesn’t know, is characteristics of the person who knows. • Making a mistake and not correcting it, is making another mistake. • The superior man blames himself; the inferior man blames others. • To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.
Han Fei • 300s B.C.E. • Warring States period. • political philosophy of the Qin Dynasty.
Major Legalist Principles 1. Human nature = selfish. 2. Law = morality 3. Ruler = strong, punishing hand for baddies. Reward good people.
Authoritarian One who favors the principle that individuals should obey a powerful authority rather than exercise individual freedom.
Warring States Period • Tried to escape society and find “the Way of nature.” Lao Tzu
The Dao De Jing • 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.”
Major Daoist Principles 1.Dao [Tao] = exactly like “The Force” in Starwars 2. Goal= to become one with the Dao (nature, the universe, etc.) 3.Wu wei = --> “The art of doing nothing.” --> “Go with the flow!” 4. Man is unhappy because he lives w/ man-made laws that are contrary to the ways of nature.
The "Dao" [Tao] The WAY: 1. Reject formal learning. 2. Rely on instinct. 3. Discover the “rhythm” of the universe. 4. Ignore political and social laws.
The Universe of Opposites: Find the Balance! Yin • Masculine • Active • Light • Warmth • Strong • Heaven; Sun • Feminine • Passive • Darkness • Cold • Weak • Earth; Moon Yang
Warring States China: How is a man to live in a world dominated by chaos, suffering, and absurdity?? 3 Solutions: Confucianism--> Moral order by proper relationships Legalism--> harsh law & order. Daoism--> Freedom for individuals avoidance of conformity.
