Qin Shi Huangdi, the first Qin emperor, envisioned a central bureaucratic structure headed by royalty to rule China under his name. Though it came at the severe cost of public sentiment, Qin was an extremely proactive emperor who implemented much of what he had envisioned before. It’s agreed upon that the Qin Dynasty laid the foundation for the massive cultural and economic development of China that took place during the Han Dynasty. Although the Qin Dynasty is easily considered among the most influential time periods in Chinese history, it actually failed to achieve many of its ideological goals. In fact, socioeconomic disparity was not eliminated and despite the ideal of enriching the lives of the common people, it was under Qin rule in which public resentment of the authoritarian government was at its peak as there were countless peasant revolts against the bureaucratic rule of China.…
Social inequality is a matter of the prejudiced external classification of minority groups, and the idea of where those minority groups fall in the social class. These groups can include: women and the working class. Influential ancient Chinese philosophers, Confucius and Lao Tzu have two distinct perspectives on the treatment and social classification of minority groups. First, in the Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu advocated for feminist ideas supporting equality among both men and women; through The Analects, we note Confucius believed in the inferiority of women to men. Second, Lao Tzu believed it was not ideal to divide the impoverished and the wealthy in a socio-economic structure; Confucius however, believed in a structured division of upper and…
The Qin dynasty followed Legalist laws, this helped them maintain a functioning bureaucracy. The possible members of the bureaucracy had to be educated with Confucian values. Failing to pass the exam on Confucianism mean that that man could not be apart of the bureaucracy. Buddhism was a threat to imperial government because it encouraged anti-social stratification. This rebelling feature made many rulers and wealthy people afraid of being overthrown.…
Confucius believed that there were five key relationships, each with a superior and inferior. This differed form Hinduism's caste system because in document seven, it explains how each caste was superior than the next, "The Brahmins, The Kshatriyas, The Vaisvas, The Sudras, and the other sub-castes". Confucius was seen as "respectful in his serving of his superiors and kind in governing the people" (Document 4). He followed his own teachings that affected how a son treated the father and vice versa. Confucianism also wanted an orderly society that was full of happiness like Hinduism.…
Zhou Dynasty instilled that heaven gave authority to the truthful person that was worthy and recognized as a descendants of heaven. (Bentley and Ziegler 84) The Zhou Dynasty laws were taught in Chinese schools. The Book of Changes, the Book of History, and the Book of Etiquettes served as were teachings of Zhou Dynasty that were in the text books. (Bentley and Ziegler…
Thesis: Confucius as one of the most influential thinkers in Chinese history and his teaching of Confucianism have being the mainstream thinking of Chinese traditional culture for thousands of years. Most importantly, Confucius’s teachings have a profound influence on the Chinese political system. This statement, with supporting evidence that will be presented in this essay will show that Confucius’ teaching of Confucianism has being used in the Chinese government for thousands of years and it still affects the Chinese political system to this day. Short overview for the paper:…
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.…
He was the first to integrate the philosophies of Confucianism with Legalism to rule his people. The 2 philosophies come together rather harmoniously due to the fact that they support and justify the ideas expressed in one another, here is an excerpt from the Confucian Analects that express both Legalist and Confucian values: “Lead them by means of regulations and keep order among them through punishments, and the people will evade them and will lack any sense of shame. Lead them through moral force (de) and keep order among them through rites (li), and they will have a sense of shame and will also correct themselves.” Wu abolished all non-Confucian leaders and scholars forcing the population into Confucianism. In 124 BCE the Imperial University was created to teach the 5 classics of Confucianism to prepare students for jobs within the government.…
The Song Dynasty witnessed a revival in Confucian ideas and influences, commonly referred to as Neo-Confucianism. While Neo-Confucianism continued to emphasize the importance of family and filial piety, it also began to stress the importance of “self-cultivation” as necessary to a “virtuous and harmonious society and state” (Asia For Educators). By promoting arts such as calligraphy, literature, and poetry, applicants to the civil service exams became more educated. Hence, the government was able to recruit more“cultured” men into civil service.…
Imagine living in Greece around 600 and 300 B.C.E. when Greek rationalism emerged. Now imagine living in China during the warring states period when Chinese philosophies emerged. Do you think life in both of these different regions would be more similar or different? Which region would you rather live in Greece or China? Why?…
Confucius believed that the government should be ruled by a strong educated class that cared for the welfare of its subjects. Earlier dynasties rejected Confucian teachings, with emperors such as Shi Huangdi saying that such political views opposed his rule. By introducing a political system that corresponded with the well-known Confucian beliefs, the Han dynasty was able to incorporate Confucianism into the rest of the government and into lives of its subjects. These newly-accepted Confucian teachings helped to improve the overall behavior of Chinese civilians. For example, the Confucian views regarding respect to both other people and the political hierarchy helped bring more peace and order to the empire.…
Confucianism has different ideas about everyday life and society importance. One of its significant concepts is to adhere to accepted norms and principles. People’s relationships have to follow a number of responsibilities and duties. Each person should understand and feel comfortable in his/her own role. People, who act correctly, can improve and reorganize the society.…
Confucius says, “If a person acts with reverence, he will not be insulted. If he is generous, he will win over the people. If he is truthful, he will be trusted by people. If he is diligent, he will have great achievements. If he is kind, he will be able to influence others.”…
In Athenian culture, they believed that one should be greatly ivolved in politics. This is best explained in Document eight. “We do not say that a man who takes no interest in politics is a man who minds his own business; we say that he has no business here at all.” In contrast, the people of Han China believed that even if someone did not participate in government they still would have had an effect on it by participating in life. Confucius led by example, and thus by being a good person, he could influence those around him to make better decisions, and do what was best for everyone.…
Confucianism and Confucianism, is the main system of thought in China; It was developed from the teachings of Confucius and his disciples, and had to do with the principles of good practice, the empirical wisdom and the own social relations. Confucianism has influenced the Chinese attitude toward the existence, setting the life patterns and patterns of social value, and providing the basis of political theories and Chinese institutions. From China it spread to Korea, Japan and Viet Nam, and in recent decades it has aroused interest among scholars of the West. Ethical principles of Confucianism, which should directed to perfection are: filial piety, linked to respect for the ancestors and the fidelity tradition and deference to superiors (zhongh): the equity that leads to respect for goods and social position of each which (yi).The way decent conduct, closely tied to ceremonies and the way of governing and restore social order (li).Passion or sympathy that leads to the rescue to the similar (ren).…