Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism

Summary

This video explores the complexities of governance through the lens of ancient Chinese history. It discusses the Zhou Dynasty's use of feudalism and the Mandate of Heaven, the philosophical ideas of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism, and how these systems attempted to create order in society. The video highlights the struggles of ancient China, including the Warring States period, as they navigated the balance between order, leadership, and society's needs. It emphasizes that, like today, finding a perfect governance system remains a challenge.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Chinese have experimented with different forms of government throughout history, influenced by economic, political, technological, and social changes.
• 😀 The Zhou Dynasty (1045–256 BCE) ruled after the fall of the Shang Dynasty, utilizing feudalism and the concept of the Mandate of Heaven to justify their rule.
• 😀 Feudalism is a political and economic system where the king owns all land and grants pieces to loyal lords in exchange for military protection.
• 😀 The Warring States Period emerged as rival leaders challenged the power of the Zhou king, leading to instability and conflict.
• 😀 Confucianism, founded by Confucius, aims to create a peaceful and just society, emphasizing the importance of people understanding their roles and setting good examples.
• 😀 The teachings of Confucius were recorded in the Analects, and his philosophy was used to train bureaucrats in China’s civil service.
• 😀 Taoism, founded by Laozi, promotes living in harmony with nature and balancing opposites like light and dark, symbolized by the yin and yang.
• 😀 Taoist philosophy suggests that governance should be hands-off and minimal, symbolized by the quote about frying a small fish without over-manipulating it.
• 😀 Legalism, founded by Han Fei, advocates for strict laws and harsh punishments, believing people are selfish and need control to maintain order.
• 😀 The struggle to find the ideal form of government is a recurring theme throughout Chinese history, with different philosophies offering distinct solutions to governance.
• 😀 The transition from feudalism to other systems of governance like Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism highlights the complexity of societal needs and governmental evolution in China.

Q & A

What was the Zhou Dynasty and when did it exist?

The Zhou Dynasty was a line of Chinese rulers that followed the Shang Dynasty, ruling from approximately 1045 BCE to 256 BCE. They used feudalism and the Mandate of Heaven to secure their power.

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

The Mandate of Heaven is the belief that the gods granted power to a ruling family or group to govern. This mandate could be revoked if the rulers were unjust or failed to govern properly.

How did feudalism work during the Zhou Dynasty?

Feudalism in the Zhou Dynasty involved the king giving pieces of land to loyal supporters called lords or nobles. In return, these lords provided military protection for the king. The society had a clear hierarchy with peasants at the bottom, providing crops to the lords.

What are the key principles of Confucianism?

Confucianism, founded by Confucius, aimed to create a peaceful society through respect for one's role in life, good leadership, and proper conduct. Confucius emphasized that those in power should set a good example and that respect and obedience should be shown to those above.

How did Confucianism influence China’s government?

Confucianism played a significant role in training bureaucrats in China through the civil service system. It focused on moral integrity, proper conduct, and the importance of education and governance based on virtue.

What is Taoism, and how does it relate to governance?

Taoism, founded by Laozi, promotes living in harmony with nature and returning to a simpler life. It emphasizes the balance of opposites and suggests that governing should be hands-off, as excessive interference can spoil harmony. Taoism is symbolized by the Yin and Yang.

What is the significance of the Yin and Yang symbol in Taoism?

The Yin and Yang symbol represents the balance of opposing forces in life, such as light and dark, life and death. Taoism teaches that harmony comes from balancing these forces.

What is Legalism, and who was its main proponent?

Legalism is a Chinese philosophy that emphasizes strict laws and harsh punishments. It was founded by Han Fei, who believed that people are inherently selfish and need strict rules to ensure order. Legalism became prominent during the rule of Qin Shi Huangdi.

How did Legalism influence Chinese governance under Qin Shi Huangdi?

Under Qin Shi Huangdi, Legalism became the foundation of the government. The emperor implemented strict laws and harsh punishments, believing that people would only obey rules out of fear and to maintain order.

What role did Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism play in the governance of the Warring States period?

During the Warring States period, various philosophies like Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism were experimented with to address the challenges of governing. Confucianism emphasized morality, Taoism promoted simplicity and balance, and Legalism focused on strict laws and control.