China's search for order, It's Great Thinkers, and a Modern Connection.
During an age of warring states many of China’s great thinkers begin to
devise a way back to normalcy. Below are answers to the question of how they could get back to normal.
·
The Legalist Answer
Legalists generally have a more
pessimistic view of human nature. If the
punishment is heavy then the action the ruler doesn’t want will be prevented.
·
The Confucian Answer
Confucius was born in Lu, northern
China to an aristocratic family and lived between 551 and 479 BC. His philosophy is based in the idea of
superiors setting a moral example and behaving with sincerity, benevolence, and
genuine concern for others. This example
would inspire the people to meet that respect with equal respect. Harmony should prevail. To promote these virtues insisted upon a
broad liberal arts education. Although
Confucius acknowledged the reality of gods or spirits he did not believe that
we fully understand this life and we can’t presume to know what happens after
it.
·
The Daoist Answer
Daoism’s earliest incarnation was
a poem penned by Laozi entitled, “The Way and Its Power.” Philosopher Zhuangzi (369 to 286 BC.) later
expresses these ideas in more detail. Where Confucianism looks towards people
within societal groups Daoism looks outward often towards isolation in
nature. Behaviors were more
individualistic and spontaneous and natural.
It promoted less government, less political involvement, and less
importance on education. It often
envisions a world free of oppression from governments or landlords.
The parallel between legalist thought and our own countries legal system is without question but what I found interesting was how common a form of Daoism is in our society. Libertarians advocate a society with a greatly reduced state or no state at all. Subtract the nature aspects and Daoism sounds like modern day Libertarianism. Strange that this is the connection I make as I'm not a Libertarian. Alright back to the reading...
