Thursday, March 31, 2011
~How These Philosophies Influenced China~
The Influence of Daoism
Daoism encouraged rulers to rule less harshly. But Daoism's more important influence was on Chinese thought, writing, and art. In time, Daoism developed into an extremely popular religion.
The Influence of Legalism
Legalist philosophy had an almost immediate influence on government in China. At the end of the Warring States period, the Qin dynasty seized control of China. Qin rulers read and also deeply admires Hanfeizi's writings. After reading this, they wanted to build a strong, and stable central government, plus a well-organized society.To achieve the goals that were set, they established strict Legalist ideas. People were forbidden to criticize the government, and anyone caught doing so was severely punished. Many citizens were put to death for disloyalty and many other crimes.
The Influence of ConfucianismConfucius attracted many scholars, and students who went along to spread his teachings. After he died, some of them made all of his sayings into a book called The Analects. Later, scholars further developed Confucianism
Daoism encouraged rulers to rule less harshly. But Daoism's more important influence was on Chinese thought, writing, and art. In time, Daoism developed into an extremely popular religion.
The Influence of Legalism
Legalist philosophy had an almost immediate influence on government in China. At the end of the Warring States period, the Qin dynasty seized control of China. Qin rulers read and also deeply admires Hanfeizi's writings. After reading this, they wanted to build a strong, and stable central government, plus a well-organized society.To achieve the goals that were set, they established strict Legalist ideas. People were forbidden to criticize the government, and anyone caught doing so was severely punished. Many citizens were put to death for disloyalty and many other crimes.
The Influence of ConfucianismConfucius attracted many scholars, and students who went along to spread his teachings. After he died, some of them made all of his sayings into a book called The Analects. Later, scholars further developed Confucianism
21.4: The Three Philosophies
Three philosophies came across around the time of the Zhou Dynasty. These philosophies were Feudalism, Confucianism, and Legalism.
21.3: Confucianism
Confucuanism is based on the beliefs and teaching of Kongfuzi, who is generally called Confucius by westerners. This philosophy deeply influenced Chinese government and culture.
The Founder of Confucianism
Confucius lived from 551 to 497 B.C.E. he was born in the tiny state of Lu in eastern China. Cunfucius experienced firsthand the disorder that erupted when lods fought for power. Between 722 and 481 B.C.e., his own state was invaded many times. He deepy respected respected Chinese traditions such as reverance for ancestors and the honor given to scholars. Cunfucius also saw that society and government had to evolve if there was going to be peace and order.
The Teachings of Confucianism
Confucianism is based on a just and peaceful society. Confucius taught and told people that society worked a lot better when all people acted properly based on their relationships with others.
According to Confucianism, there are five basic relationships: ruler and subject, husband and wife, father and son, older sibling and younger subling, and friend and friend. In particular, all people must obey those above them, along with elders. In return, the people with authority like rulers, fathers, husbands, and older siblings, were told to set aa good example. This would mean being kind, honest, wise and faithful. Confucius taught, "Do not do to others what you would not want done to you."
The Influence of Confucianism
Confucius attracted many scholars, and students who went along to spread his teachings. After he died, some of them made all of his sayings into a book called The Analects. Later, scholars further developed Confucianism.
The Founder of Confucianism
Confucius lived from 551 to 497 B.C.E. he was born in the tiny state of Lu in eastern China. Cunfucius experienced firsthand the disorder that erupted when lods fought for power. Between 722 and 481 B.C.e., his own state was invaded many times. He deepy respected respected Chinese traditions such as reverance for ancestors and the honor given to scholars. Cunfucius also saw that society and government had to evolve if there was going to be peace and order.
The Teachings of Confucianism
Confucianism is based on a just and peaceful society. Confucius taught and told people that society worked a lot better when all people acted properly based on their relationships with others.
According to Confucianism, there are five basic relationships: ruler and subject, husband and wife, father and son, older sibling and younger subling, and friend and friend. In particular, all people must obey those above them, along with elders. In return, the people with authority like rulers, fathers, husbands, and older siblings, were told to set aa good example. This would mean being kind, honest, wise and faithful. Confucius taught, "Do not do to others what you would not want done to you."
The Influence of Confucianism
Confucius attracted many scholars, and students who went along to spread his teachings. After he died, some of them made all of his sayings into a book called The Analects. Later, scholars further developed Confucianism.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
21.1: The Zhou Dynasty
Somewhere around 1045 B.C.E., the Zhou, a clan of people who once lived in northwestern China moved into the central plains. They were vey rebellious, and established a new dynasty. For several centuries, the Zhou controlled a group of states in China. In later years of the dynasty, wars between the states put China in a bad situation.
The Early Years: Stability and Feudalism
After overcoming the Shang, the Zhou established their own rule over China. To make their conquest clear, they claimed that they had been given the Mandate of Heaven, a divine right to rule over the country of China.
According to this belief, Heaven was a power the ruled over human destiny. Heaven was the father of the king. As long as the king governed his people the right way, Heaven would give him the right to continue ruling. If the king did not rule things well, Heaven would send signs of its displeasure, such as earthquakes and floods. When the king lost the support of Heaven, others had the right to overthrow him.
The Zhou increased the stability of their power through a system called feudalism. Under feudalism, the king owned all of the land, but he often gave away large portions of the land to loyal supporters, or citizens called lords. In exchange for the land, the lords sent soldiers to fight a war if the king was ever attacked, or in a sticky situation. All of the lords were rulers of their own lands, or even states. They had the right, and power over any peasant farmers who worked on the land. All peasants in the area had the lord's protection, so in return, the peasant farmers would give a portion of their crops to the lord.
The Later Years: Conflict and Creative Thought
Feudalism worked for quite some time to keep China stable. But in the 700s B.C.E., the system started to fail. Lords of indivisual states started becoming more and more powerful, and ambitious as the days went on. Eventually, the power of some lords rivaled the power of the king!
Between about 770 and 453 B.C.E., several small states often fought with one another. They soon grouped into six or seven larger states the battled brutal wars for power. These wars brought about 250 years of complication to the country of China. This time in history is generally called the Warring States Period.
This time period led the Chinese to question human nature and the best way for rulers to dominate. Many determined rulers hired scholars to instruct them on how to create order, and increase their power.
So many ideas were presented that the Chinese later called them the "Hundred Schools of Thought." The three most influential schools of though that emerged were Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Each of those had a great impact on China, and influenced many.
The Early Years: Stability and Feudalism
After overcoming the Shang, the Zhou established their own rule over China. To make their conquest clear, they claimed that they had been given the Mandate of Heaven, a divine right to rule over the country of China.
According to this belief, Heaven was a power the ruled over human destiny. Heaven was the father of the king. As long as the king governed his people the right way, Heaven would give him the right to continue ruling. If the king did not rule things well, Heaven would send signs of its displeasure, such as earthquakes and floods. When the king lost the support of Heaven, others had the right to overthrow him.
The Zhou increased the stability of their power through a system called feudalism. Under feudalism, the king owned all of the land, but he often gave away large portions of the land to loyal supporters, or citizens called lords. In exchange for the land, the lords sent soldiers to fight a war if the king was ever attacked, or in a sticky situation. All of the lords were rulers of their own lands, or even states. They had the right, and power over any peasant farmers who worked on the land. All peasants in the area had the lord's protection, so in return, the peasant farmers would give a portion of their crops to the lord.
The Later Years: Conflict and Creative Thought
Feudalism worked for quite some time to keep China stable. But in the 700s B.C.E., the system started to fail. Lords of indivisual states started becoming more and more powerful, and ambitious as the days went on. Eventually, the power of some lords rivaled the power of the king!
Between about 770 and 453 B.C.E., several small states often fought with one another. They soon grouped into six or seven larger states the battled brutal wars for power. These wars brought about 250 years of complication to the country of China. This time in history is generally called the Warring States Period.
This time period led the Chinese to question human nature and the best way for rulers to dominate. Many determined rulers hired scholars to instruct them on how to create order, and increase their power.
So many ideas were presented that the Chinese later called them the "Hundred Schools of Thought." The three most influential schools of though that emerged were Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Each of those had a great impact on China, and influenced many.
Monday, March 28, 2011
21.1: Introduction
In chapter 21 you will learn about the three Chinese philosophies that came around during the time of the Zhou. The Zhou flourished from about 1045 to 256 B.C.E. In its later years of still existing, different leaders battled for the control in China. The country was malicious during this time. All these troubles led Chinese citizens to question the best way to have peace and order in society. Three different answers came about. These three answers were the philosophies of Confucianism, Daoism (also spelled Taoism), and Legalism.
Imagine living in the time period of 360 B.C.D. The ruler of an insignificant kingdom has sent out three advisors to gain knowledge about the three philosophies stated above. When they return, he asks them, "What shall I do to rule well?"
The first advisor that was sent out has learned about the philosophy of Confucianism. This advisor tells the king, "Lead by example." The next advisor that was sent out has studied Daoism (Taoism). He says, "If you must rule, rule as inadequately as possible." The third advisor exclaims, "Set clear laws and harshly punish those who disobey them!"
In this chapter, learn why the advisors gave such miscellaneous responses. Discover interesting facts about Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism and how each philosophy influenced China.
Imagine living in the time period of 360 B.C.D. The ruler of an insignificant kingdom has sent out three advisors to gain knowledge about the three philosophies stated above. When they return, he asks them, "What shall I do to rule well?"
The first advisor that was sent out has learned about the philosophy of Confucianism. This advisor tells the king, "Lead by example." The next advisor that was sent out has studied Daoism (Taoism). He says, "If you must rule, rule as inadequately as possible." The third advisor exclaims, "Set clear laws and harshly punish those who disobey them!"
In this chapter, learn why the advisors gave such miscellaneous responses. Discover interesting facts about Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism and how each philosophy influenced China.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)