<p> CHINESE PHILOSOPHIES or Schools of Thought</p><p>CONFUCIANISM</p><p>CONFUCIUS is a Latinized form of the title K'ung-fu-tzu (Master K'ung), given to a wandering scholar from the state of Lu in northeastern China. Although little known in his lifetime, Confucius was revered (respected) as the greatest of sages (wise men) throughout most of China's history. His teaching, Confucianism, was the state teaching from the beginning of the Han Dynasty in 202 BC to the end of the imperial period in 1911. </p><p>Disturbed by constant warfare among the states, Confucius taught that most of the ills (bad parts) of society happened because people forgot their position in life and rulers lost virtue (good values). Therefore, Confucius' primary concern lay in social relations, proper conduct (behavior), and social harmony. He believed in the basic good nature of human beings, the notion (idea) of society where people knew their position in life, and the ruler's obligation to the people. The idea of jen comes from the words of Confucius, “That which you do not want done to you, do not do to others.”</p><p>Confucius defined five basic relationships: between ruler and ruled, between husband and wife, between parents and children, between older and younger brothers, and between friends. Except for the last case, all of the defined relationships are between superiors and inferiors. He emphasized the complete obedience and loyalty of the inferior person in the relationship as the subordinate (lesser ranking person) but also mentioned the generosity of the superior to the inferior. Filial piety (obedience to parents) was one of the most important virtues emphasized by Confucians. Confucius believed that education was the method by which a person could better themselves, therefore explaining the importance of education in Chinese culture.</p><p>Memorized by scholars for generations in China, the books written by Confucius’ followers, including The Analects, a compilation of Confucian teachings, were the subjects of civil service examinations (tests taken to earn public office) for over 2,000 years. </p><p>TAOISM (Daoism)</p><p>In the Chinese language the word tao means "way," indicating a way of thought or life. In about the 6th century BC, under the influence of ideas credited to a man named Lao-tzu, Taoism became "the way." Like Confucianism, it has influenced every aspect of Chinese culture for more than 2,000 years.</p><p>Taoism speaks of a permanent Tao in the way that some Western religions speak of God. The Tao is considered unnamed and unknowable, the essential unifying element of all that is. People are essentially good. Everything is basically one, despite (although) the appearance of differences. Because all is one, matters of good and evil and of true or false, as well as differing opinions, can only arise when people lose sight of their oneness with others and think that their private beliefs are absolutely true. This is like a person looking out a small window and thinking he sees the whole world, when all he sees is one small portion of it. </p><p>Taoists believe in yin and yang. They are two forces within every natural object that interact to affect the universe. Yang is the positive, masculine force in nature that is active, warm and bright. It is associated with Heaven and the sun, as well as many other things in nature. Yin is associated with the Earth and is the negative, feminine force in nature that is dark, cool and submissive (gives in).Yin and yang do not oppose (go against) each another but are only two aspects of a single reality. They must be in the correct balance to achieve harmony in the universe. Taoism is a viewpoint that emphasizes individuality, freedom, simplicity and naturalness. The goal of life for a Taoist is to build a relationship to the Tao. Followers therefore avoid spending their energies on the pursuit of wealth, power, or knowledge. By shunning (avoiding) every earthly distraction, the Taoist is able to concentrate on life itself. The longer the follower’s life, the more saintly the person is presumed to have become. Eventually the hope is to become immortal. </p><p>Legalism</p><p>The era in which Legalism was developed was called the Warring States Period, a time period wracked by chronic warfare. Not only did seven kingdoms go to war with each other, there were landowners within the kingdoms which fought with each other and with the rulers. Warfare was a definite calamity (disaster) but China was an otherwise brilliant civilization. A system of governing (ruling) that would retain (keep) control was needed. </p><p>Unlike some philosophies, Legalism does not try to find answers to the reason of life or other complex subjects. Instead, it is focused on following the laws and upholding justice. Han Feizi, the most well-known Legalist, stated that humans could be prevented from acting selfishly only if they faced a set of rigidly (strictly) enforced punishments for evil behavior. Because the punishments under legalism are fairly harsh, Legalists believe that no one, no matter how powerful, would be above the ruler’s control. It rewarded hard work and following the laws. Thus, the name that was adopted for this philosophy was Legalism. Legalism has three main ideas: Fa, Shu, Shi.</p><p>Fa is Chinese for law, and states that the legal code must be presented clearly to the public. All citizens are equal under this code. Those who obey the laws should be rewarded, those who disobey should be punished. </p><p>Shu, or method, states that the ruler can protect himself by using secret methods to ensure (make sure) that others cannot take control of the state. No one should know how to gain the emperor’s favor other than by obeying the laws.</p><p>Shi, which means power, means that ruler must make informed decisions and work to make the lives of his people better. Otherwise, he may be overthrown and another put in his place to direct the power of the state. A good ruler listens to his advisors and is kind to all. But he should not be too kind and spoil his subjects. </p><p>The Legalists said that humans were evil by nature and expanded their idea of evil to include activities which were not productive, such as reading and scholarship (learning). Legalists believed that the only productive occupations were farming and weaving. This meant that reading was simply a waste of labor. So most books were burned, and those scholars who refused to heed (accept) the Legalist’s edicts (commands) were punished and some were even buried alive. </p><p>"Legalism and the Legalists of Ancient China." San José State University - Powering Silicon Valley. Web. 08 Oct. 2010. <http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/legalism.htm>. "The Philosophy of Legalism in China | E Language School." Learn How to Speak the Chinese Language Online Free | E Language School. Web. 08 Oct. 2010. <http://learnchinese.elanguageschool.net/chinese-legalism>.</p>