Life in Ancient China

land owning aristocrats, peasant farmers and merchants

people who share a similar position in society

respect shown by children for their parents and elders

Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of Laozi; taught that people should turn to nature and give up their worldly concerns

Chinese philosopher, he was the most famous Daoist teacher. He is credited with writing Dao De Jing, The Way of the Dao, Daoism's basic text. Like Confucianism, Daoism tells people how to behave. Daoists believed that people should give up wordly desires. They should turn to nature and the Dao-the force that guides all things.

Ancient China's first great thinker and teacher. He wanted to end the problems in China and bring peace to society. Confucius believed that people needed to have a sense of duty. Confucius believed that if each person did his or her duty, society as a whole would do well. He also urged people to be good and to seek knowledge.

Confucious

taught that all men with a talent for governing should take part in government.

The aristocrats

There were 3 chinese philosophies which grew out of a need for order. Confucianism, Daoism & Legalism. Confucianism - Confucius believed that people needed to have a sense of duty. Duty meant that a person must put the needs of family and community before his or her own needs. Each person owed a duty to another person. Daoism - Daoists believed that people should give up worldly desires. They should turn to nature and the Dao—the force that guides all things. To show how to follow the Dao, Daoists used examples from nature. A third group of thinkers disagreed with the idea that honorable men in government could bring peace to society. Instead, they argued for a system of laws. People called their thinking Legalism (LEE • guh • LIH • zuhm), or the "School of Law." A scholar named Hanfeizi (HAN • fay • DZOO) developed the teachings of Legalism during the 200s B.C. Unlike Confucius or Laozi, Hanfeizi taught that humans were naturally evil. He believed that they needed harsh laws and stiff punishments to force them to do their duty. His followers believed that a strong ruler was needed to keep order in society. Many aristocrats liked Legalism because it favored force and power, and did not require rulers to show kindness or understanding. Its ideas led to the cruel laws and punishments often used to control Chinese farmers.

The aristocrats favored Legalism.Some people disagreed with the idea that honorable men in government could bring peace to society. Instead, they argued for a system of laws. Many aristocrats liked Legalism because it favored force and power, and did not require rulers to show kinkness or understanding. Its ideas led to the cruel alws and punishments often used to control farmers.

A scholar that developed the teachings of Legalism during the 200s BC. Unlike Confucious or Laozi, Hanfeizi taught that humans were naturally evil. He believed that they needed harsh laws and stiff punishments to force them to do their duty.