What Was The Difference Between Confucianism And Daoism

During the Period of the Warring States, from 403 B.C.E. - 221 B.C.E., political confusion aroused in China. During this time, many thoughtful people sought to restore political and social order by reflecting on the proper roles of human beings in society. As a result, three philosophical schools of thought emerged: Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. Although all three of these philosophies were formed to restore order to China, each one had very different ideals about how to cure the ills of society. Whereas these three philosophies agreed on forming a cure for society, they had very different ideals on the way of human nature. In fact, they each had a different way of governing people based on what they felt the cure for human nature should …show more content…
Confucianism had a very straight-forward solution to addressing political and social order. Confucius enforced the idea that, “Those who disciplined themselves and properly molded their character would not only possess personal self-control but also have the power of leading others by example.” In breaking that down, we’d gather that Confucian values were very much centered around leading the youth through a system of ethics and respect rather than strict laws. Overall, Confucians believed that government officials should rule with an attitude of respect towards elders and superiors, and should posses a strong sense of moral integrity in order to deliver wise and fair judgements. Unlike Confucian ideas, a Legalist government did not concern itself with ethics or morality. Legalistic faith in strict set laws greatly distinguished them from the Confucians, who relied on leading by example through a sense of benevolence.
Majorly unlike Confucianism and Legalism, however, Daoism beliefs were fixated on self-reflection and introspection. Daoists had no desire to associate themselves with worldly concerns, and did not believe in the idea of a government. Instead, Daoists spent their energy on self-reflection and introspection in hopes that they could understand the natural principles that governed the world. Overtime, they believed that understanding these natural principles and learning to live in harmony …show more content…
The Legalist followers believed that humans are bad by nature, therefore they need to be controlled by strict laws and punishments. Legalists believed that the only way to control an evil person, which they believe everyone is by nature, was through the threat of violence and punishment. On the other hand, Daoism had a very different view of human nature. Daoists regarded humans as just another part of nature, not better than any other thing. For this reason, they had no form of government or punishment. Although Confucius did not believe that humans were evil by nature, he did believe that China was becoming overrun with rude and dishonest people. Therefore, he believed that humans were disrespectful by nature, and should return to ethics and moral