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Confucianism vs. Daoism

Confucianism vs. Daoism. A Summary. Confucius. Confucianism. Belief system based on teachings of Kong Fu Zi (Called Confucius by Europeans) Lived in China from 551 to 479 B.C. Lived when the Zhou Dynasty was weakening and there was no central authority in control

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Confucianism vs. Daoism

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  1. Confucianism vs. Daoism A Summary

  2. Confucius

  3. Confucianism Belief system based on teachings of Kong Fu Zi (Called Confucius by Europeans) Lived in China from 551 to 479 B.C. Lived when the Zhou Dynasty was weakening and there was no central authority in control War, poverty, and crime rose – This troubled Confucius He urged people to uphold great traditions of the past, so he suggested a code of conduct

  4. The Code of Conduct… • Stressed virtues or good actions, known as li • Respect, • loyalty, • honesty, • hard work, • politeness, • generosity • Also established the five basic relationships for society (Ruler & Ruled, etc.) • Superior person had to set an example for inferior person

  5. Family • Family was the basic unit of Chinese society • Confucius emphasized family relationships • Stressed filial piety, which means respect for family/ancestors • Confucianism did perceive women as inferior to men • Confucius said that if everyone behaved according to li in their relationships, society would be peaceful and harmonious • There would then be no need for police, jails, and war!

  6. Influence Today Confucian philosophy strongly influences much of Chinese society today Most families still operate according to Confucian principles and children are expected to be loyal and obey their parents Government is still controlled by an elite (top) few; there has never been a democracy in China!

  7. Laozi

  8. Daoism Belief system based largely on the Daodejing, or “The Way and Its Power” This was a sacred text believed to be written by Laozi, a legendary sage (wise person) His name translates to “wise, old, master” and he is believed to live in China from 606 to 530 B.C. Laozi lived during troubled times in China He concluded that people should be able to find happiness and peace within themselves, rather than depending on success and wealth

  9. Goal of Life… Laozi wrote that the goal of life was to achieve oneness with the Dao (the way), a universal force connected to nature that cannot be defined, only experienced and felt Taught that humans should see themselves as a part of nature (and live in harmony with it) The only true rules and laws are the rules and laws of nature, or Dao

  10. Village Life Laozi felt that the small agricultural villages most Chinese people lived in were the ideal communities They had little government or formal education systems and the villagers lived in harmony with the agricultural cycles He believed these communities would remain happy and prosperous if left to themselves rather than controlled by intellectuals and government officials

  11. Achieving Oneness Daoism teaches that harmony comes from balancing life in tune with nature, called yin and yang Laozi taught that it is impossible to have good without bad, beauty without ugliness, or pleasure without pain Daoists see good and bad as connected so they accept both as part of the balance

  12. Yin & Yang

  13. The Balancing of Nature

  14. Government Laozi was opposed to organized government but realized it was not going away! Believed rulers should follow wuwei (woo-way) which translates to “action through non-action” A ruler should take little action only support the people in achieving what they naturally desire

  15. Influence Today • Daoist philosophy has been an important influence on Chinese culture • Daoist ideals can be seen in things like art • Chinese landscape paintings showing serene mountains (yin) contrasted with violent storms (yang)

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