Chinese Philosophies

Confucianism

Chinese philosophers created many ideas on society and societal norms
One great Chinese philosophers was Confucius
He was born in 551 B.C. and died in 479 B.C.
He was a teacher and government official
In his time, there was chaos and he helped turn the chaos into peace
What he taught was what they used to educate kids for 2,000 years
However, he died before China could restore order
His teachings were put in a book called the Analects
His teachings have been used in China to unify Chinese culture and civilization
Confucianism focused on duties and responsibilities (for example: Father and Son relationships, older brother and younger brother relationships, husband and wife, and friend and friend)

Another Chinese philosopher, Laozi, started a philosophy called Daoism
Daoism teaches to live in harmony with nature and the Dao (meaning "the way")
Daoists believe in seeking order and balance in their daily life by blending with nature
Daoism philosophy uses the Yin-and-Yang symbol to show the blending of opposites

Legalism is very different from Confucianism and Daoism
Legalism is focused on order: strong government and strict laws
It developed around 400 B.C.
Han Feizi promoted this philosophy around 260 B.C.
Legalism states that people are bad and need to be controlled with tough punishment

The Ying-and-Yang symbol was promoted by the Daoist philosophers to show how one can live in harmony with nature
The belief that one can live with light and dark, hot and cold, hard and soft, fire and water, etc.

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