Download How did philosophies affect Chinese society?

Key Terms
Confucianism
Daoism
Legalism
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Throughout Chinese history, there have
been many great philosophers.
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 Confucius, an
important philosopher
living during the Zhou dynasty, sought a
way to establish peace and harmony.
 He
believed that a harmonious society
depended on Five Relationships.
 In
four of Confucius’ Five Relationships,
an inferior had to obey a superior
person.
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The proper functioning of society depended
on these Five Relationships according to
Confucius.
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 Laozi, another
Chinese philosopher
living during the Zhou dynasty, disagreed
with Confucius.
 He
believed that people needed to live
close to nature and follow natural ways or
the Dao.
 His
philosophy is called Daoism.
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A Daoist understands that a bird is not
a fish. A bird does not try to live in water.
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The Yin-Yang is a popular Daoist or
Taoist symbol.
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 Legalism
was another Chinese
philosophy.
 Unlike
Confucianism and Daoism,
Legalists believed that people were
inherently selfish.
 Due
to their selfishness, wrongdoers had
to be punished harshly to prevent future
transgressions.
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During the Qin dynasty, Legalism was
the official philosophy of China.
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While all three philosophies greatly
influenced China, Confucianism became
the official philosophy of dynastic China.
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It is important to remember that during the
Han dynasty, a scholar had to pass a test
on Chinese history and Confucianism to
work in the government.
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In Confucianism, a son must obey his
father.
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In Daoism, people are encouraged to live
naturally.
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 List
the Five Relationships of
Confucianism and explain the proper
functioning of each relationship.
 Why do Daoists look to nature for
understanding?
 Why do Legalists believe that harsh
punishments are necessary?
 Which philosophy had the greatest
impact on Chinese history? Why?
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