Compare And Contrast Daoism And Confucionism

In China during 406-221 BCE, the battling states between the Zhou and the Han Dynasties? were in a state of governmental disorder. Although the era was in a disruptive state, it ushered in a cultural opening that left a long lasting imprint on the Chinese history. As a result, three major belief systems surfaced Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism in an attempt to achieve a sense of political order in a disorder period. There are distinctions in the way each of the belief systems approached the many problems that plagued the Chinese society. First, all of the founders were contemporaries in China. As well as considered philosophies, who studied the future, and sat out to focus on the present rather than the past. In contrast, Confucianism, Daoism and Legalism established various paths in search of an optimistic future for the success of China. Second, both Legalism and Confucianism developed a social belief system, but are considered a religion. However, both Legalism and Confucianism purpose was to create an orderly society in the hopes of prosperity. In contrast, Daoism does

Confucianism and Daoism seem to be complete polar opposites but there are some similarities between the two. One way that they are similar is that they both focus on the goal of self-improvement. Their teachings both agree that people are responsible for their personal life, individual

Legalism was very different from both Confucianism and Daoism because Legalism was the belief that people needed to be controlled because they were evil. Legalism is found in China and was founded by Han Feize. While it is unknown when Legalism was established, it is known that Han Feize was born in 280 B.C. so that gives a general time when legalism started. Legalism didn’t deal with much religious concerns but was more of a political philosophy instead. Citizens were seen to be responsible for actions of one another. A person who is considered guilty, their relatives and neighbors should be punished as well. This was a way to make sure that the laws are followed. The laws are strict with harsh punishments. People who spy on others and report anything that they do wrong to the authorities are thought to be doing right of the law. Both Legalism and Confucianism are belief systems within a group of people, not religions, and both are intended to lead to an orderly way of life, how they approach their teachings are complete opposed.

With the adaptation of Legalism, the Qin Dynasty began to reach its peak. Legalism was founded by Hanfeizi, and was brought to the Qin Dynasty by Li Ssu and Chao Kao. The idea of Legalism was that the state came first and people would be harshly punished for any wrongdoing. Many argue that the harshness of Legalism caused the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. However, it was one of the main reasons why the Qin stood as the strongest in China and possibly in the world (Upshur OL). This happened because harsh punishments encouraged good conduct and discipline. Legalism was similar to Hammurabi’s code because it discouraged criminal activity. When this is brought upon, there will be more room to contribute to society. Also under Legalism, the state would gain complete control over the people and land (Upshur OL). This way, everyone was equal and nobility was taken away. Without this proper discipline, the empire would have just shattered into pieces. This has also helped to carve a disciplined military (Upshur OL). Under strict conditions, the Qin definitely gained the upper hand and was successful in fulfilling their goals.

The idea of ruling a powerful government based on the principle of using two conflicting ideologies at the same time appeared foreign to most dynasties of early China. In early Chinese times, after the Period of the Warring States, two ideologies emerged: Legalism and Confucianism. Legalism stressed a strong central government that expressed harsh laws while Confucianism had a decentralized government, placing trust in conscientious and learned individuals to work together to solve political issues. These two schools of thought were in stark contrast to each other and, up until the Han dynasty, had never been combined with each other through government policy. The Qin dynasty, for example implemented a strict Legalist government while the

Additionally, literature was discouraged under Legalism because they were believed as poisons to the mind. The Legalists believed this way because not all the information in books contains the truth. Agriculture and war were promoted on the other hand, because it would carve a rich and powerful empire (Walker 39). Many argue that the harshness of Legalism caused the downfall of the Qin Dynasty. However, it was one of the main reasons by the Qin Dynasty stood as the strongest among the Chinese states and possibly in the world. The reason why is because harsh punishments encouraged good conduct and discipline. When this is brought upon, there will be more room to contribute to society and there will be fewer worries about crimes being committed. In addition, the conduct and discipline was a plus for the military. By doing what they are told, the military can execute their job perfectly. All in all, Legalism flourished the Qin Dynasty; it did not cause it to go downhill.

Even though the two systems had different concepts about the way, the common denominator of both schools was to achieve total harmony in society. Confucianism focuses mainly on social order while Daoism puts it's central; focus on being one with the nature.

Legalism was founded by Han Fei Tzu during The Era of Warring States. Han Fei Tzu preached that people are born evil and need to be controlled in order to control their violent nature. Legalists believe in the importance of obedient subjects and a strict leader, the need for constricting laws and punishments in order for a kingdom to be successful, and a dislike of foreign ideas that contradict Legalism. Legalist ideals were introduced in China during the Qin Dynasty by Qin Shi Haung, who unified China by 221 BC. He created strict laws, took power away from the nobles, and destroyed all knowledge that could influence his people by burning books and killing Confucian scholars.

The Qin Dynasty had really big area, and also had Huns came into the Qin area to invade, so if they wanted to rule a big country, they needed a perfectly strict legal system. Firstly, the Qin emperor needed to rule the thought. So the Qin government burned books. In the Qin Dynasty, they had a philosophy called legalism. Legalism is the belief in a strong government with complete control over every aspect of the people’s lives(Peralta).

The core beliefs of Daoism and Legalism form the structure of the two religions. Daoists believe that if they unite themselves with the natural forces of the universe, the Dao, their lives will be in harmony and there will be less suffering. Legalists, on the other hand, believed that if people feared to commit small crimes, they would hesitate all

Daoism thought they should let the people come back together naturally. Legalism was all about instilling rewards and punishments to get people to work together. Confucianism thought they should teach people to be good and want to treat each other kindly. All three have their pros and cons; none of them are perfect. Qin leader Shi Huangdi had the idea to combine two of them, Daoism and Confucianism, in order to create a superior philosophy.

The central idea of legalism was to provide absolute power to the person in charge and the supremacy of authority. Legalists like Han Fei Zi

History has shown us, that Daoism and Confucianism have many things in common as well as many differences, let me start with what is Daoism and Confucianism. Daoism is also known as Taoism, is a religious tradition originated from China in the 550 B.C.E, it was founded by Lao Tzu, a great philosopher and the author of the “Dao De Jing” .The “Dao De Jing” or “Tao Te Ching” is a Chinese text that contains 81 chapters explaining the “ways” of Chinese life, it is often used by the monks or persons that practice the Daoism. Daoism’s main focus is on nature, and not on the social world. Compassion, moderation and humility are also focuses

This article will help people that don't know about the three philosophies and even the people that no a little bit. Confucianism means mostly is if you don't want done to you don't do it to them. Daoism mostly means that there following nature and don't be selfish. Legalism is mostly about people are selfish so they must be lead or punishments for wrong or rewards for

The unification of China was under the dynasties Qin and Han. There were formed schools of thought called Confucians, Daoists, and Legalists. These school of thoughts worked to bring political and social stability to China during the rule of the late Zhou dynasty which were chaotic years. Legalist principles and imposed centralized imperial rule were adopted by rulers of the Qin and Han dynasties. Political stability was the foundation of economic prosperity for the Han dynasty. There was a search of political and social order, unification of China, and a transition from economic prosperity to social disorder.