By: Brent A.

Who was Confucius?The most famous philosopher in Chinese history. Late in life, he said

that he set his heart at the age of 15. He lived from 551 – 479 B.C.E.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/02_02/china_468x383.jpg>.

What was China like during his lifeThere was a time when China was being sliced

into feudal states by the warlord “princes” who raised armies, waged battles, oppressed slave laborers, and heavily taxed subjects.

Ch’iu was a self-educated youth, raised by a poor family in the state of Lu.

In his teenage years, he had an administrative position with the local noble, managing his agricultural accounts. It was here that Ch’iu started developing a passion for ethical philosophy. 

"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/chopr/PublishingImages/China flag.jpg>.

According to Confucius, what are the five basic relationships?

•ruler and subject• husband and wife• father and son• older sibling and younger sibling•and friend and friend.

•"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.chinahighlights.com/image/chinamap/ancient/qin-dynasty-map1.gif>.

How should people act in those basic relationships?Confucius hoped that if people knew what was

expected of them they would behave correctly. Therefore, he set up five principal

relationships in which most people are involved. These relationships were (1) ruler and subject; (2) father and son; (3) elder brother and younger brother; (4) husband and wife; and (5) friend and friend. All, except the last, involve the authority of one person over another.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.huangshantour.com/english/linkpic/daoism.jpg>.

What influence and Confucius have on Chinese government?For 2,000 years Confucianism was the official

philosophy of China. The only way a person could achieve an important position in the government or in society was by having a good knowledge of Confucianism. To become a government official it was necessary to pass a difficult civil service examination based on the ideas of Confucius.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.huangshantour.com/english/linkpic/daoism.jpg>.

Who was Laozi (Lao-tsu)Laozi (Lao Tzu) is considered to be the author

of the Dao De Jing. He is also considered to be the father of Daoism, since he was the first person to use the term "Dao" as the basis of his philosophy. Sima Qian, the Grand Historian (ca. 145-86 B.C.E.), was the first person to write an account of Laozi's life, and there are many theories surrounding the mystical personage of Laozi, includung the idea that he was born as an old man with a long white beard.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.china-window.com/moxiepix/b1_11.jpg>.

According to Daoism, how should people discover how to behave

Daoists beleive that people should do all things good and seek perfect knowledge of their religion.

When one achieves this, one breaks free from the cycle of birth and death, to join the Immortals in heaven.

What are yin and yan?Yin and Yang is perhaps the most known and

documented concept used within Taoism.

According to Daoists how should rulers behave?Taoists didn't believe in rulers at all. They thought government was unnatural and

disrupted the balance of the yin yang.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 02 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.iep.utm.edu/wp-content/media/laozi.gif>.

Who was Hanfeizi?Han Fei (c.280–233 BC) was a philosopher

who, along with Li Si, developed Xun Zi's philosophy into the doctrine embodied by the School of Law or Legalism.

"Google Images." Google. Web. 03 May 2011. <http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.china.cn/images1/200704/391116.jpg.

According to Hanfeizi what was the only way to create a strong society?To have law the main focus of the

government not education .

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/images/Taoism--yin_yang_blue_black1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Taoism.html&usg=__EFGO1mEIZp0jrVEAEzJ0-1I412U=&h=574&w=686&sz=23&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=kTJ2O2Wn8uxxQM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=131&ei=5cO-TdPeIMeztweO6ajXBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtaoism%2Bblue%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D982%26bih%3D582%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=114&vpy=237&dur=109&hovh=205&hovw=245&tx=143&ty=113&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0

How did Henfeizi believe a ruler should govern?

Han Feizi believe a ruler should govern with an iron fist consolidating all its power into one's hand.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/images/Taoism--yin_yang_blue_black1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Taoism.html&usg=__EFGO1mEIZp0jrVEAEzJ0-1I412U=&h=574&w=686&sz=23&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=kTJ2O2Wn8uxxQM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=131&ei=5cO-TdPeIMeztweO6ajXBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtaoism%2Bblue%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D982%26bih%3D582%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=114&vpy=237&dur=109&hovh=205&hovw=245&tx=143&ty=113&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0

How did the Qin dynasty apply the teachings of Hanfeizi?The Qin dynasty applied the teachings of

Hanfeizi very nice and gently.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/images/Taoism--yin_yang_blue_black1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.enlightened-spirituality.org/Taoism.html&usg=__EFGO1mEIZp0jrVEAEzJ0-1I412U=&h=574&w=686&sz=23&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=kTJ2O2Wn8uxxQM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=131&ei=5cO-TdPeIMeztweO6ajXBQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dtaoism%2Bblue%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D982%26bih%3D582%26gbv%3D2%26tbm%3Disch&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=114&vpy=237&dur=109&hovh=205&hovw=245&tx=143&ty=113&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0

Sneak Peek Video on Daoism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LnhlVT6_9I

Citations

"Three Chinese Philosophies." History Alive! the Ancient World. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2004. Print.

History Alive! the Ancient World. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2004. 205-07. Print.

History Alive! the Ancient World. Palo Alto, CA: Teachers' Curriculum Institute, 2004. 207-13. Print.