In the eighth century, the Zhou Dynasty was weakening and this weakening led to an age known as the "Age of Warring States." During this time, chaos, violence, and dishonesty ensued. Philosophers then set out to restore order and tranquility and so they came up with several ways of doing this. The ideas of Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism we put for to restore China to it's former glory.
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Legalism
This attempt at restoring peace was extremely rigid. It was strictly based on rules and laws. If ever there was someone broke a rules, punishment would be high. However, if ever there was someone who was always following rules or who went above and beyond, reward would also be high. Legalism was very much built on the idea that those with "essential" jobs deserved more than those with "useless" jobs. Those thought to be essential were farmers and soldiers. Merchants, aristocrats, and scholars, on the other hand, were those seen as "useless." During the Qin and Shi Huangdi Dynasties Legalism was enforced, but is was so brutal that it was avoided thereafter.
Confucianism
Favored strongly by most, Confucianism, founded by Confucius, was more of a hierarchal and patriarchal. Those superior, such as emperors and men, were expected to set the model for behavior for the inferior, aka children and women. Just as superior, or "gentlemen," had to be an example to those inferior to them, the inferior also had to respect the gentlemen. The best example of this is the practice of filial piety in families which it the practice of honoring one's ancestors and parents. Another example of the superior vs. inferior idea was the understanding of the cosmos. Heaven was seen as superior, therefore associated with men, and creative. Earth was seen as inferior and submissive, therefore associated with females. Wen and wu, which although was a male hierarchy, also had people that were considered inferior and people that were considered superior. Wen was superior, academic, and artistic, such as scholars. Wu was inferior and was associated with the military and merchants. Although superiors were the ones more in charge, they also were kept in check. Emperors for example, were expected to keep taxes low, administer justice, and provide the material needs of the people. If not, they would be considered going against the Mandate of Heaven and doing that means inviting disorder which lead to there being a strong chance of this dynasty being overthrown by another. Husbands were expected to treat their wife and kids kindly or it was thought that they would be inviting conflict or disharmony. All need to use ren, best defined by human-heartedness, benevolence, goodness, and nobility of heart, to help bring about tranquility. This was the ultimate goal of China, so it soon became China's official ideology.
Daoism/ Taoism
Laozi was the one to come up with this solution but this was later elaborated upon by Zhuangzi. Daoism was completely against Confucianism. From the Daoist point of view, Confucianism was useless, artificial, and would just make things worse. Daoists were all for wilderness, spontaneous, natural, individualistic behavior. They believed in Deo, or "The Way", which was a way of nature. It was the underlying, unchanging principle that governs all natural phenomena without wanting absolute power. Daoism says that people should live simply and only with what is essential, regardless of gender. This ideology was seen as an opposite to Confucianism, however is also seen as a complement to Confucianism in a sort of yin yang relationship. Just like Confucianism, Daoism also became central to China.
This attempt at restoring peace was extremely rigid. It was strictly based on rules and laws. If ever there was someone broke a rules, punishment would be high. However, if ever there was someone who was always following rules or who went above and beyond, reward would also be high. Legalism was very much built on the idea that those with "essential" jobs deserved more than those with "useless" jobs. Those thought to be essential were farmers and soldiers. Merchants, aristocrats, and scholars, on the other hand, were those seen as "useless." During the Qin and Shi Huangdi Dynasties Legalism was enforced, but is was so brutal that it was avoided thereafter.
Confucianism
Favored strongly by most, Confucianism, founded by Confucius, was more of a hierarchal and patriarchal. Those superior, such as emperors and men, were expected to set the model for behavior for the inferior, aka children and women. Just as superior, or "gentlemen," had to be an example to those inferior to them, the inferior also had to respect the gentlemen. The best example of this is the practice of filial piety in families which it the practice of honoring one's ancestors and parents. Another example of the superior vs. inferior idea was the understanding of the cosmos. Heaven was seen as superior, therefore associated with men, and creative. Earth was seen as inferior and submissive, therefore associated with females. Wen and wu, which although was a male hierarchy, also had people that were considered inferior and people that were considered superior. Wen was superior, academic, and artistic, such as scholars. Wu was inferior and was associated with the military and merchants. Although superiors were the ones more in charge, they also were kept in check. Emperors for example, were expected to keep taxes low, administer justice, and provide the material needs of the people. If not, they would be considered going against the Mandate of Heaven and doing that means inviting disorder which lead to there being a strong chance of this dynasty being overthrown by another. Husbands were expected to treat their wife and kids kindly or it was thought that they would be inviting conflict or disharmony. All need to use ren, best defined by human-heartedness, benevolence, goodness, and nobility of heart, to help bring about tranquility. This was the ultimate goal of China, so it soon became China's official ideology.
Daoism/ Taoism
Laozi was the one to come up with this solution but this was later elaborated upon by Zhuangzi. Daoism was completely against Confucianism. From the Daoist point of view, Confucianism was useless, artificial, and would just make things worse. Daoists were all for wilderness, spontaneous, natural, individualistic behavior. They believed in Deo, or "The Way", which was a way of nature. It was the underlying, unchanging principle that governs all natural phenomena without wanting absolute power. Daoism says that people should live simply and only with what is essential, regardless of gender. This ideology was seen as an opposite to Confucianism, however is also seen as a complement to Confucianism in a sort of yin yang relationship. Just like Confucianism, Daoism also became central to China.