14 January 201414 January 2014• Bellringer – What is this symbol? What

does it mean?

• Chinese Philosophy Notes– Daoism & Legalism

Daoism (Taoism)Daoism (Taoism)Notes – Packet page 6Notes – Packet page 6

► Dao = Dao = “the way”“the way” Believed to be the Believed to be the guiding guiding

force of realityforce of reality ► everything was made of everything was made of

oppositesopposites► Light and Light and darkdark, , hothot and and coldcold, ,

dayday and night and night

Stressed that Stressed that living in living in harmonyharmony with the Dao was with the Dao was the best way to live (the best way to live (no no wealth or powerwealth or power))

It is believed that It is believed that LaoziLaozi was was the major teacher/author of the major teacher/author of DaoismDaoism

► Daoism was a Daoism was a response to response to ConfucianismConfucianism Daoists Daoists did not wantdid not want

government involved in people’s government involved in people’s lives lives

► Confucianism said that the Confucianism said that the government must set an example for government must set an example for its people for social harmonyits people for social harmony

They did not want people They did not want people interfering with nature or one interfering with nature or one anotheranother

Government should be so good Government should be so good people people do not realize that it do not realize that it existsexists

LegalismLegalism

Main philosophy: people were Main philosophy: people were bad bad and needed to be controlledand needed to be controlled

Shi Huangdi was a famous LegalistShi Huangdi was a famous Legalist– Legalists Legalists did not care about moralsdid not care about morals, ,

and they and they only respected authorityonly respected authority

Only a political philosophyOnly a political philosophy, , not a not a religionreligion

Legalism was Legalism was very strictvery strict– Punishment was based on Punishment was based on how bad crime washow bad crime was– Offender, family, and neighbors Offender, family, and neighbors were were all all

punishedpunished

Major goals were Major goals were unityunity and and efficiencyefficiency

Wanted Wanted trained officialstrained officials (not nobles) (not nobles) in in controlcontrol

Legalists wanted to Legalists wanted to expand China’s expand China’s boundariesboundaries and always be and always be prepared for prepared for warwar

Shi HungdiShi Hungdic. 259 – 210 BCc. 259 – 210 BC

He gave himself the title Shi Hungdi which means “first He gave himself the title Shi Hungdi which means “first emperor.”emperor.”

He was the first ruler to unify all of ChinaHe was the first ruler to unify all of China– Rules and punishments the same in all parts of the empireRules and punishments the same in all parts of the empire– Standardized the written languageStandardized the written language– Standardized the currency used in all of ChinaStandardized the currency used in all of China– New Roads (50 paces wide) faster movement of the militaryNew Roads (50 paces wide) faster movement of the military– Irrigation system updated – and parts are still in use todayIrrigation system updated – and parts are still in use today

He is remembered for his building programs including He is remembered for his building programs including – Great Wall of ChinaGreat Wall of China– Terra Cotta ArmyTerra Cotta Army

Dies on his quest to “live forever”Dies on his quest to “live forever”– Within a few years of his death, the government fallsWithin a few years of his death, the government falls

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http://www.thechinaguide.com/great_wall_mutianyu/index.php

BuddhismBuddhism• Buddhism is originally

from India

– Reached China through traders using the Silk Road (~150 B.C.)

– Became a very popular religion

– Had a large influence on society, government, and Chinese approach to religion/philosophy