Early China Theories/isms

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During the decline of the Zhou dynasty in China, the ideas of a philosopher named Confucius began to gain momentum.

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Confucius became known as the First Teacher of the Chinese.

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Some people consider Confucianism a religion, but it is really a set of
philosophical and ethical teachings.

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The political ideas of Confucianism include
the thought that a person should not have
to be born to nobility to become a ruler.

Confucianism

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Collected in the Analects

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Focuses on the political and the ethical rather than the spiritual

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Emphasis on duty and Five Constant Relationships

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Call for humanity, compassion, and empathy

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Advocacy of rule by merit, not by noble
birth

Basic Teachings of Confucianism

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Another philosophical ideas called Daoism
developed in China about the same time
as Confucianism

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Daoism is based on the teachings of Laozi, a person scholars are not sure existed

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Daoists believe that the best way to act in harmony with the universal order is not to interfere with natural order.

Daoism

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Like Confucianism, concerned with proper
forms of human behavior and assumes a
natural order (Dao) in the universe

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Based on teachings of Laozi

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Collected in the Tao Te Ching (Way of the
Dao)

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Emphasis on inaction- not interfering with
the natural order

The Basic Teachings of Daoism

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A third philosophy, called Legalism,
proposed that human beings were evil by nature

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The Legalists argued for a system of
impersonal laws because they rejected the Confucian view that government by
“superior men” could solve society's
problems.

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A strong ruler, harsh laws, and strict
punishments were believed to be the only way to make people be “good”

Legalism

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The Qin dynasty was created in 221 B.C. as
a result of Chinese civil wars and battles
with the Zhou dynasty

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Qin Shi Huangdi ruled the dynasty and
united China’s monetary system, roads, central government, and military.

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The dynasty left behind an artistic legacy, a vast army of terracotta soldiers that was unearthed by archeologists near the burial
mound of the First Qin Emperor.

The Qin Dynasty