Between the two most well known ancient Chinese philosophies there are many similarities and differences. When looking at the history of both of these philosophies when can see the similarities. The major differences between the two become apparent when looking at the ideologies of the philosophies, there are however some small similarities in the ideologies. Both of the philosophies regardless of their differences do seem to work towards the same goal of improving the state of governing. Looking at both their histories and how the philosophies came to be we can see major similarities and small differences. Both the Analects and the Tao Te Ching were later compiled by many different people and not Confucius or Laozi. Both of their teaching …show more content…
The simplest way to explain the difference between the two would be to say Confucianism is action where as Taoism is non-action. Confucianism focuses on a person governing to achieve a better moral state of being. This is pointed out in Sources of East Asian Tradition when it says “to promote the style and manner of the noble person (junzi)” (SEAT pg30). This would require a follower of Confucianism to take action and to change their way of thought, to strive for something different or unnatural to their instincts. Taoism has a considerably different approach to its ideology and style of governing, a more hands off approach to put it simply. The best example to use here would be page fifty seven from the Tao Te Ching were it has the simple statement of having less laws and you will have less criminals and goes on about other aspects of government that should be lessened or have less control. The simplest way to understand this is that less is more. The less control or rule the government (or one persons authority over another) has the better off people will be. The one similarity that they both have or common goal is that of a better governed state then what already had existed. These are just a small glimpse at the differences and similarities that Confucianism and Taoism
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
Confucianism and Taoism have contrasting views on both religion and politics. However, they stem from a similar goal and have similar beliefs. Confucianism is mainly centered around virtue and ethics as a means to an ordered society and believes that an ordered society is what people should strive for. Taoism, on the other hand, focuses on the individual life in relation to the Tao, or "way of nature." Both are considered philosophies and not religions and acknowledge a path that a person should follow in life. However, they take opposing views not only on religion and politics, but also on the person's responsibilities.
Asia was shaped during the classical era by different religions that influenced it socially and politically. Confucianism and Islam are two beliefs that came about during the Classical period of China and Islam. However, they both flourished in China, and both became very different religions and philosophies. Although both beliefs possessed a few similarities, they were still two very distinct. Where the two beliefs compare in minor topics such as a caste system, they differ in beliefs as a whole. Confucianism is a philosophy, not a religion, and is a very unique idea. Whereas, Islam is in fact a religion and can be compared to the religion of Christianity.
Amidst the chaos of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many intellectual thinkers that brought such a profound impact in the fields of politics, religion, and philosophy. Even to this day, their influence can be seen on the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount school of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense recognition as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political society where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All three approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism
Thesis: Chinese Confucianism and Roman Christianity are similar in both set key principles adopted by governments and both were created by leaders who taught by lesson yet different in that Confucianism was promoted by the government whereas political leaders in Rome strongly opposed Christianity.
Buddhism and Taoism both originated and influenced most the Asian area. They are not just religions but a way of living life with philosophic principles. They are both seeking equality and moral existence. Buddhism have several branches just like the Hinayana, Mahayana, Esoteric, Pure Land, and the Zen Buddhism. Taoism can also be divided into a few. The main ones are the Southern and Northern Taoism. Taoism got many principles borrowed from the Buddhist one they influenced each other through their history. Taoism in the beginning was rather a mixture of mythology, folk, and philosophy teachings. With the arrival of Buddhism, it was forced to renew and reorganize itself. Both of the religion does their practices in monasteries, temples and shrines and also both of them use statues and pictures expressing their beliefs.
Confucianism and Daoism are both chinese religions. They both incorporated religious practices with daily activities in a way that it pertained to philosophy as well as religion, making the secular sacred. Confucianism was grounded in ethics and virtuous socio-political conditions. Daoism, also known as Taoism, sought to establish the proper relation between humans and the cosmos through discernment of the Tao, or Way. Confucianists are more concerned with social relationships and Taoism is of a more broader nature and more mystically oriented and more philosophical. They both focused on relationships that humans had with each other as well as the relationships that humans had with nature. They were atheistic in a sense that they had no
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
From what we have covered in these traditions, give a comprehensive critical analysis of how the Confucian and Taoist conceptions of human nature could be compared and contrasted with one another. What is one or more similarity? What are two or more key differences? [Hints: ren vs. ch’i; li vs. wu wei, etc.]
Taoism and Confucianism are two primary Chinese ways of thinking. Historically, these two philosophies have been viewed as polar opposites, but upon further research, they have the same mission. The belief system of Taoism viewed in Tao Te Ching, written by Lao Tzu, is the monistic belief that human kind has a connection to the universe, and the “way” controls your life and everything that you do. The “way” has a pre-determined plan for your life, and you must sit back and follow it. On the other hand, Confucianism represented in The Art of War, shows that you have to work and discipline yourself to become complete. The Art of War is essentially a “battle plan”, and “Tao Te Ching “ is a essentially a book of ultimate humility. These two pieces seem quite different with their own different goals. While Confucianism and Taoism have different ways of reaching their respective goals, their goals and their destiny is essentially the same: and that is self-control.
In the world of Chinese philosophy, one cannot find better words than those spoken by Lao Tzu or Confucius. While they seem similar, they are indeed different in many ways.
Buddhism and Confucianism try and stop the bad things while Taoism doesn't try to fix the bad things they believe in the good and bad. Buddhism doesn't know why there is suffering so they try and figure out while Confucianism believes that the respect will help everything. Taoism is mainly focused on nature. They believe that nature is key, and they should watch it to learn how to behave.
In Chinese history, there were three main philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism. These beliefs helped shape Chinese culture as well as Chinese history. Not only did people believe in these ideas, but the three helped to govern the mighty Chinese dynasties. These dynasties all provided an impact to each doctrine; the philosophy that had the greatest impact was legalism because it ended the Warring States Period, provided structure, and strengthened agriculture, and the military of China. Although Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism had a few things in common and at times tried to resolve the same problem, they were very different from each other in their beliefs, character, and ways of life.
A comparison between Lao Tzu and Confucius, as well as that between the respective philosophies each of these individuals is believed to have propounded, is fairly natural and, in certain respects, fairly inevitable. Both scholars were believed to have existed during the same time period, from approximately the seventh through the fourth centuries B.C.E. (although it should be noted that there is an overwhelming body of evidence that indicates that Lao Tzu may not have been an actual person, whereas there is little dispute regarding Confucius' tenure on earth as being between 551-479 B.C.E.). Furthermore, the philosophy attributed to each of these individuals has had a profound effect upon the Chinese culture which they were both a part of and helped to propagate; today the effects of that culture and their philosophical maunderings have even had a significant impact upon areas of Western thought. Indubitably, each respective scholar and the line of thinking advocated by him was concerned with establishing a harmony and order with oneself, society, and the external universe. However, the philosophers differed dramatically in the approach they took to achieving these goals. Confucius took a much more systematic, pragmatic approach to achieving this end, as much of his work directly applies to mankind and its relationship with one another; Lao Tzu was much more mystic and abstract in his approach. Due to various political and moralist
Confucianism provides guidance on the ethical principles of social and political life, while Taoism and Buddhism add both psychological and spiritual dimensions . These three doctrines have historically co-existed in traditional Chinese culture and have been described as “the one body of three doctrines” (sanjiao yiti) or “the three converged doctrines” (sanjiao heliu).