2. Is mankind naturally good
or naturally Evil?
If our species is naturally good, then what kind of government do we need?
If our species is natural sinful, bad, or evil, what kind of government do we need?
4. Zhou Dynasty
“天命” - Dynastic Cycle
In 1046 BCE, the Shang Dynasty was overthrown and the Zhou Dynasty was established. The Zhou created the Mandate of
Heaven: the idea that there could be only one legitimate ruler of China at a time, and that this ruler had the blessing of the
gods. They used this Mandate to justify their overthrow of the Shang, and their subsequent rule.
9. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
Rule with Moral Example
We learn to behave from our “Superiors”
Superiors – Inferiors
10. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
Rule with Moral Example
We learn to behave from our “Superiors”
Superiors – Inferiors
1. Ruler to Subject
11. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
Rule with Moral Example
We learn to behave from our “Superiors”
Superiors – Inferiors
1. Ruler to Subject
2. Father to Son - Filial Piety
12. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
Rule with Moral Example
We learn to behave from our “Superiors”
Superiors – Inferiors
1. Ruler to Subject
2. Father to Son - Filial Piety
3. Husband to Wife
13. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
Rule with Moral Example
We learn to behave from our “Superiors”
Superiors – Inferiors
1. Ruler to Subject
2. Father to Son - Filial Piety
3. Husband to Wife
4. Older brother to younger brother
14. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
Rule with Moral Example
We learn to behave from our “Superiors”
Superiors – Inferiors
1. Ruler to Subject
2. Father to Son - Filial Piety
3. Husband to Wife
4. Older brother to younger brother
5. Friend to Friend
Friendship – Only equal
16. Confucius
Social Philosopher - Social Order
• Ancestor Worship
• Family as a basis for an ideal government
• "Do not do to others what you do not
want done to yourself "
- Golden Rule
17. Daoism - Taoism
“The Way”
Laozi
“The Old Master”
People are good
• Useless to build Governments
• Governments lead to fighting
• Less Government the better
18. • Three Jewels of the Tao:
– Compassion
– Moderation
– Humility
• Harmony with Nature
Daoism - Taoism
“The Way”
Laozi
“The Old Master”
19. • Martial arts
• Traditional medicine
(in harmony with nature)
Daoism - Taoism
“The Way”
Laozi
“The Old Master”
20. Saw government as “unnatural” and felt that
government was the problem that led to feudal wars
22. • Man is, essentially bad
.
• The law must severely punish any unwanted
action, while rewarding those who follow it.
Han Feizi
280–233 BC
Philosopher – School of law
Legalism
23. Adopted Legalism as form of government
Shi Huangdi
The First Emperor
of unified China in 221BC
Qin Dynasty
24. First Centralized Dynasty (Government)
Construction of ambitious projects
Began what became the GREAT WALL OF CHINA
Achieved increased trade and agriculture
Qin Dynasty
Shi Huangdi
25. First Centralized Dynasty (Government)
Standardization
• Currency
• Weights and Measures
• System of writing
Qin Dynasty
Shi Huangdi
26. Broke down Feudal States of China
First Centralized Dynasty (Government)
Standardization
Standardized accepted thought -
• Burning of books and
• Burying of scholars
Qin Dynasty
Shi Huangdi
27. Officially sponsored
Confucianism School of Thought
in education and court politics
• Imperial University
• Service Exam
HAN DYNASTY
206 BC - 220 AD
“The Golden Age of Chinese History”
28. Officially sponsored Confucianism in education an court politics
Most technologically advanced empire in the world
– The nautical steering rudder
– Negative numbers in mathematics
– Raised-relief map
– hydraulic-powered armillary sphere
for astronomy
– seismometer
– Paper
HAN DYNASTY
206 BC - 220 AD
“The Golden Age of Chinese History”
29. Officially sponsored Confucianism in education an court politics
Most technologically advanced empire in the world
– Paper
China’s Trade route became known as Silk Road
HAN DYNASTY
206 BC - 220 AD
“The Golden Age of Chinese History”
30. Assignment:
relevance to today
In paragraph form, write how ancient Chinese philosophy is part of our cultural
debates in America, today.
1. Do we need more gun laws?
• Do we take more of our freedoms/rights away from
our law abiding citizens in order to deal with the
few that are evil?
• Is our society so evil that most of us need
government to create harsher gun laws, or have
them taken from us, in order to keep society safe
from one another?
2. What would Laozi and Han Fei feel about the debate?
