An Introduction to Chinese Culture
SFLC
English education class1
Yao Yuying(姚玉莹)
12009243594
An Outline of Four Major Schools of Thoughts
Introduction 1. Confucianism 1.1
Confucius, the founder
Confucius (traditionally 28 September 551 BC --- 479 BC) was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period, educator ethicist, and statesman. Confucius is regarded as the \"Great and Revered teacher\generations. He has laid down the foundation of Chinese education. His thoughts and teachings are regarded as the symbol of traditional Chinese culture.
1.2 Ren
The will to show benevolence to others, to love all men, humanity, and human-heartedness. Ren also has a political dimension. If the ruler lacks rén, Confucianism holds, it will be difficult if not impossible for his subjects to behave humanely. Ren is the basis of Confucian political theory: it presupposes an autocratic ruler, exhorted to refrain from acting inhumanely towards his subjects. An inhumane ruler runs .
1.3 Yi
Yi literally means \"justice, righteousness; meaning,\" is an important concept in Confucianism. It is the moral disposition to do good.
1.4 Li
Moral ways of conduct, refers to any of the secular social functions of daily life, akin to the Western term for culture. Shaping the rituals in a way that leads to a content and healthy society, and to content and healthy people, is one purpose of Confucian philosophy.
1.5 Comment
Confucianism has been regarded as an ethic-political system in ancient China Confucianism's great contribution to the Chinese nation is its shaping and moulding of the Chinese character and national soul and its founding of the complete system of knowledge. It also has left us a rich literary heritage known as the Four Books and Five Classics.
2. Mohism 2.1
Mozi, the founder
Mo Zi (470 BC --- 391 BC), original name Mo Di (墨翟), was a Chinese philosopher, thinker, educator, scientist, and militarist. He was born a few years after
Confucius' death and died a few tears before Mencius' birth.
2.2 Ten Proposals
•Inclusive Care & Rejecting Aggression 兼爱 非攻
•Elevating the Worthy & Conforming Upward 尚同 尚贤 •Rejecting Fatalism & Rejecting Music 非命 非乐 •Thrift in Utilization &Thrift in Funerals 节用 节葬 •Heaven's Iintention & Existence of Ghosts 天志 名鬼
2.3 Comment
Although popular faith in Mohism had declined by the end of Qin Dynasty, its views are said to be strongly echoed in Legalist thought.
3. Daoism
3.1 Laozi, the founder
Li Er was a mystic philosopher of ancient China, best known as the author of the Tao Te Ching(often simply referred to as Laozi). His association with the Tao Te Ching has led him to be traditionally considered the founder of Taoism (pronounced as \"Daoism\"). He is also revered as a deity in most religious forms of the Taoist religion, which often refers to Laozi as Taishang Laojun, or \"One of the Three Pure Ones\". He is considered as the father of Chinese philosophy. In the history of Chinese philosophy no one can be compared with Lao Zi who so extensively and thoroughly studied the laws of motion in the world.
3.2 Dao
It is the mechanism of everything that exists, the natural, eternal, spontaneous, indescribable way things began and pursued their course.
3.3 De
Power of morality or power for good. It is the power of naturalness, or power, of simplicity, even of weakness.This is possibly the most important point in the Daoist philosophy, and has immense influence on the development of Daoist religion.
3.4 Major teachings
The highest good is like water.
Water benefits all the things generously without striving with them. Staying in the lowly place that men disdain, it is close to the Tao. Things turn to their opposite when they reach the extreme.
Good fortune lieth within bad, bad fortune lurketh within good.
3.5 Comment
In many ways the opposite of rigid Confucian morality, Taoism was for many of its adherents a complement to their ordered daily lives. A scholar serving as an official
would usually follow Confucian teachings, but at leisure or in retirement might seek harmony with nature as a Taoist recluse.
4. Legalism
4.1 Han Fei Zi, the founder
Han Fei (280 BC --- 233 BC) is was a Chinese philosopher, the most outstanding
representative of the Legalist school. He was a prince of the royal family of Han during the Warring and States Period(475---221 B.C.).He and Li Si studied with Xun Kuang.In this context, his works have been interpreted by some scholars as being directed to his cousin, the King of Han.
4.2 Fa
The rule of law stands in contrast to the idea that the leader is above the law.The law code must be clearly written and made public. All people under the ruler were equal before the law. Laws should reward those who obey them and punish accordingly those who dare to break them. Thus it is guaranteed that actions taken are systematically predictable. In addition, the system of law ran the state, not the ruler, a statement of rule of law. If the law is successfully enforced, even a weak ruler will be strong.
4.3 Shu
It literally means \"method, tactic or art\". Special tactics and \"secrets\" are to be employed by the ruler to make sure others don't take over control of the state. Especially important is that no one can fathom the ruler's motivations, and thus no one can know which behaviour might help them get ahead, other than following the 法 or laws.
4.4 Shi
It literally means \"legitimacy, power or charisma\". It is the position of the ruler, not the ruler himself or herself, that holds the power. Therefore, analysis of the trends, the context, and the facts are essential for a real ruler.
4.5 Comment
Legalism greatly influenced the philosophical basis for the imperial form of government. During the Han Dynasty, the most practical elements of Confucianism and Legalism were taken to form a sort of synthesis, marking the creation of a new form of government that would remain largely intact until the late 19th century.
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