Compare And Contrast Confucianism And Legalism

Confucius only taught around 3,000 students during his lifetime in the Zhou Dynasty, but his ideas and values became integrated with the Chinese culture of the past and the present (Ames). He created a syllabus for mastering the “six arts” and inspired those who followed his principles to become effective citizens. Although no one knows much about his life, he greatly influence the way China grew into what it is today.

The Ancient Chinese had interesting ways of thinking. Legalism beliefs were a more negative way of thinking than the beliefs of Confucianism because if one did not believe in Legalism, they were tortured, killed, or enslaved (HB). Confucius thought more positively and he said: “Wherever you go, go with all your heart” (BrainyQuote). Confucius was the scholar and philosopher who founded Confucianism. Han Feizi introduced the beliefs of Legalism (WS). Both Confucianism and Legalism were formed in ancient China (HB). Confucianism existed from - and Legalism took place from 280-233 B.C. (WS). Although Confucianism and Legalism have some similarities, the differences between the two are clear.

Three perspectives of bringing peace to society was Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. In people’s lives peace in society is very important. People were longing for no violence and expected to be treated well. They wanted to feel comfortable and stable. Because they were searching for peace and order, they wanted rules to be enforced.

Confucianism is the philosophy that would be the most stable comparing to Legalism and Daoism. First of all, the goal of Confucianism was to have a society that was peaceful and just. This means that Confucius wasn't a violent man. It shows that he wanted peace. His purpose wasn't to rule everything around him; it was the complete opposite.

Buddhism has been and still is important to the Chinese culture, affecting many traditions and ways of life. Many scholars and political figures have reacted differently to the affect of Buddhism and how it has spread through the 6 chinese dynasties, by believing its effect, disagreeing, and have no say.

With the birth of their civilization, the ancient Chinese wanted to know what role human beings played within society and the universe as a whole? This question and many others help develop the “hundred schools” of ancient philosophy. In the beginning of Chinese civilization, they believed that the universe comprised of two primary energies, good and evil, light and dark, male and female. In other words, everything had an opposite and finding the balance would lead to a prosperous life and ultimately a prosperous society. Three “schools of thought” were born to figure out this balance. Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism. Although, each are different in their beliefs, they each had the common goal of wanting to achieve harmony in their society and the universe.

In ancient china there were two widely different philosophes being so excepted within the same culture. The two philosophes were Confucianism and Legalism. Confucianism was during 55 B, in China. Legalism was during 475-221 BC, also in China. Confucianism is a belief or an idea. The purpose of this was to show people how to be in harmony with their place in life. Legalism is a ruling made by Shi Huangdi, who was a strict ruler in china. The purpose of this ruling was to get the people of china to follow the rule, and if they didn’t there was a very harsh punishment. Although confucianism and legalism have some similarities, but the differences between the two are amazingly clear.

Between 221 BCE and 209 BCE China was ruled under the Qin Dynasty; a time where many of China’s civilians lived under the harsh rule of a legalist government and their Qin ruler, Qin Shi Huangdi. In the short letter “Memorial on the Burning of Books” Li Si, the emperor's advisor, starts to take notice of a straying from the Legalist government. Li Si claims that Legalism is what keeps the people of China in control. With this being said, Li Si also acknowledges that there are many people who criticize Legalism, branching out to other schools such as Confucianism and Daoism. In accordance to Li Si, this is bad for the Qin Dynasty and believes that the practice of such schools could result in a rebellion

After imperial structure was restored, the Chinese began to disapprove of Buddhism (docs 4, 6). Chinese government authorities increasingly saw Buddhism as a threat to their political power and moved to discredit it. Imperial Tang advisor Han Yu saw Buddhism as evil, anti-Confucian, and illegal (doc 4). Han Yu’s position and livelihood greatly depends on Confucianism remaining dominant, especially due to the civil service system, which provided him with his government job. Due to this, he is not a very reliable source on how the average citizen and even the Chinese emperor felt about Confucianism remaining dominate (doc 4, POV).

The Iliad was a really good representation of the chaotic war-torn times of the area surrounding the Mediterranean Sea; this includes the countries Rome and Greece. It was a time where nations were trying to expand their power and influence and warriors were claiming their spoils of war. I mean the beginning of book I of The Iliad, Achilles and Agamemnon are arguing over the rewards and the spoils of war. Agamemnon didn’t want to give up his prize girl Chryses in order to please the God Apollo and stop the plague and the rain of arrow falling from Olympus. However, in the end Agamemnon took Achilles’ girl, Briseis, which really hurt Achilles in the end. These warriors took a lot of pride in the things or people that they

In the discussion on the methods of governing and administration of a state, one cannot leave out the models proposed by Confucius as well as Mencius. Both advocated that the ruler or the government has to rule by virtue and strengthen moral education among its people. Political leaders have to set moral examples for the people to follow, and to be benevolent towards their subordinates and citizens. By doing so, that would bring about social stability and population growth within the state, also creating conditions that would lead to an improvement in the welfare of the people. By fulfilling his duties to the people, a just and benevolent ruler would then be justified to rule by the Mandate of Heaven. Although both Confucius and Mencius have a lot in common with regards to governance, the two do have varying opinions on certain matters such as the legitimacy when rulers are overthrown, and the relationship between the ruler and his people.

Compare and contrast the roles of Confucianism and Buddhism in both China and Korea until roughly the 7th century

Chinese women suffer from the unfair notion for thousands of years. The basic requirements of being virtuous women are “Three Obediences and Four Virtues (三从四德)”. The “Three Obediences” were “obey your father before marriage (未嫁从父); obey your husband when married (既嫁从夫); and obey your sons in widowhood (夫死从子)”. And the “Four Virtues” were “Female virtues (妇德)”, “Female words (妇言)”, “Female appearances (妇容)” and “Female work (妇功)”. (Sun, 2015). The three obediences and four virtues occurred in ancient China society. It is a set of basic moral principle for women in Confucian. These instructions first appeared in the “Book of Etiquette and Ceremonial” and in the “Rites of Zhou.” (Kelleher, 2005) to describe traditional ceremonial and behavior.

Compare and contrast the work of Confucius and Han Fei in terms of what they think about and view society and how it should be ordered? Apart from highlighting similarities and differences, in your conclusion also speak about which political model is more appealing to you and why?

By following these theories, it is clear that both are in direct conflict with one another. In regard to the nature of man, this is obvious, with Confucius writing on inherent goodness and Han Feizi writing and agreeing on the opposite. This leads to some interesting situations, particularly for the societies which would aim to adopt each philosophy. However, both did agree that order was necessary and through the state order can be achieved. Confucius thought emphasized this in The Doctrine of Learning by stating that “the ancients who wished to manifest their clear character to the world would first bring order to their states” (Chan p. 86). While this order is brought through personal rectification and inward reflection beginning with the