Difference Between Dao And Confucianism

The concept of dao (the Way) has been a fundamental component to various schools of Chinese philosophy, in particular the school of Confucianism and Daoism. Xunzi, a Confucian scholar, and the Laozi, the Daoist text otherwise known as the Daodejing), illustrate how the concept of dao integrated in all aspects of life of ancient Chinese civilians. Though they share similarities in the audience consuming their working definition of dao, there are certainly disparities in the ideologies of the Way between the two traditions. The differences between the sources’ belief in how dao is acquired and fostered in individuals, the manner in which it should implemented in government systems at the time, and its role in the nature of human morality will be further explored in the following.
The two main classes …show more content…
Both Xunzi and Laozi articulate how to utilize the Way in various aspects of governing a kingdom. Xunzi places emphasis on the importance of rituals, as seen before, even for rulers of society including emperors and warfare generals (Mair et al. 124-125). He believes that when one wields the power of the Way, that particular individual will be successful in battle and ruling. Xunzi compares the process of building a strong state to that of molding a sharp and effective sword (Mair et al. 125). Though the sword is within the mold, it will have to be sharpened with a whetstone prior to it becoming good at cutting. The whetstone is a metaphor for instructions of rituals, and the sword is the state itself. Once again, this ties back to how the force of dao is harnessed through rituals. “If one does not teach and instruct, does not attune and unify, then one cannot defend against invasions or wage war outside,” he states (Mair et al., 125). Rulers who fail to cultivate their knowledge in dao will end their kingdom in