Chinese Philosophy

Chinese Philosophy has his origin in the Spring and Autumn

(771 to 476 BC or according to some authorities until 403 BC which
corresponds to the first half of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty)
and Warring States
(following the spring and autumn period some scholars point toward different
dates ranging from 481 BC to 403 BC as the true beginning of the Warring
States but *Sima Qians choice of 475 BC is generally the most often cited
and popularly accepted one)
eras, during the Hundred Schools of Thought period, which was
characterized by significant intellectual and cultural developments.
Although much of the Chinese Philosophy begins in the Warring States
period, elements of Chinese Philosophy have existed for several thousand
years and some of this elements can be found in the Yi Jing (the Book Of
Changes), an ancient compendium of divination, which date back to at least
672 BCE. It was during the Warring States era that what Sima Tan termed
(designated) the major philosophical schools of China: Confucianism,
Legalism, and Daoism, arose, along with philosophies that later felt into
obscurity, like Agriculturalism, Mohism, Chinese Naturalism, and the
Logicians.
Early beliefs
Early Shang Dynasty thought was based upon cycles. These ideas stems
from what the people of the same could observe around them: day and night
cycled, the seasons progressed again and again, and even the moon waxed
and waned until it waxed again. Thus, this notion, which remained relevant
throughout Chinese history, reflects the order of nature. In juxtaposition, it
also marks a fundamental distinction from western philosophy, in which the
*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the
Han Dynasty.

dominant view of time is a linear progression. During the Shang, fate could
be manipulated by great deities, commonly translated as gods. Ancestor
worship was present and universally recognized. There was also human and
animal sacrifice.
When the Shang were overthrown by Zhou, a new political, religious and
philosophical concept was introduced called the Mandate of Heaven.
This mandate was said to be taken when rulers became unworthy of their
position and provided a shrewd justification for Zhou rule. During this period,
archaeological evidence points to an increase in literacy and a partial shift
away from the faith placed in Shangdi (the supreme Being in traditional
Chinese religion), with ancestor worship becoming commonplace and a more
worldly orientation coming to the fore.

Pre-Qin Philosophers
In the later years of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), the
Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) collapsed and only sustained itself in name.
Emperors of various states fought against each other. The ritual and music of
the Zhou Dynasty totally fell apart. There were no morals to regulate
peoples minds. The philosophers of this chaotic time naturally focused their
debates on the central theme of how to recover their social system. Most
philosophers were deeply concerned about peoples lives, destinies and
social circumstances. Philosophers cared about different aspects of the
problem, as they began from various starting points, and they provided
diverse or even contradictory answers. Thus, the philosophical thinking of
the Pre-Qin era was mainly presented in the form of political philosophy.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Confucious (kongzi): Family Reverence as the Root of

Humanity
Confucious (Kongzi, 551-479 BC) personal name Qiu. He was born during the
Spring and Autumn Period in the State of Lu, in present Shandong Province.
He was a descendent of the ducal house of the state of Song, a family once
associated with the royal house of the Shang Dynasty. While his father was
elderly his mother was very young when Confucious was born.

Hence, the great historian Sima Qian declared the relationship of Confucious
parents an informal one. Despite the familys nobility, Confucious and his
relatives had a penurious existence. Confucius lost his father at the age of
three, and his mother passed away at the age of seventeen. He had to face
the world alone after his mother passed away. He studied hard while working
diligently to make a living, holding jobs including storehouse clerk and
shepherd. However, Confucius did not give in to the suffering of life. He set
*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the
Han Dynasty.

his mind on education and continued to study. At about thirty, he first began
to take on disciples. After his lifetime endeavor, Confucious became the
creator of the Confucian School of thought.
When Duke Ding of Lu was in Power, Confucious took various government
positions, such as the governor of Zhongdu City, and Minister of the Public
Construction. When he was fifty-two, he worked as Prime Minister in the
Ministry of Justice. Following a disagreement among the powerful families,
Confucious left his position and travelled around many other states, hoping
he might have a chance to enact his political agenda. However, no rulers
provided him with a position. In his later years, he went back to the state of
Lu, continued his educational career, and taught nearly three thousand
disciples in total, seventy-two of whom became noteworthy in their own
right. Confucious rearranged the documents of poems, history, rituals and
music inherited from Zhou Dynasty. These documents later became classics
and the dominant teachings for traditional political education in China.

Philosophy
At the turning point of the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States
Period (476-221 BC), radical transformation occurred economically, politically
and socially. Throughout the prolonged societal chaos and conflict, the
cultural tradition inherited from ancient times was corrupted. Being aware of
this, Confucious carried in the mission of sustainment and resurrection of the
great cultural tradition. The Analects is a collection of Confucious words and
deeds by his disciples and their followers. We can understand Confucious
political philosophy through the Analects.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Not only does Confucious exhibit keen observation of human affairs, but also
a deep understanding of the movement of nature. Once Confucious stood
over a riverbank and observed, Isnt lifes passing just like this, never
ceasing day or night! Confucious sighed over the passing water because he
felt that existence flows continuously, just as Heraclitus (540-480 BC)
considered everything in constant flux and movement, claiming we cannot
step twice into the same river. Confucious noticed that Tian does not speak,
but the four seasons turn and the myriad things flourish. This is his
illumination over natural creativity. However, Confucious does not discuss
Tian in detail.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Tin (), commonly translated as "Heaven" or "Sky", but philologically

meaning the "Great One", "Great Whole", is a key concept in Confucianism. It
denotes the source of reality, the cosmos, and nature in Chinese religions
and philosophies. The Confucians mean by Tin () and l (, order) what
the Taoists mean by Tao (or Do, ). The Tin can also be compared to the
Brahman of Hindu and Vedic traditions.
Main Concepts
The main Principles of Confucianism was and are: Li, Ren, Zhong Yong, Jun
Zi.
Li meaning propriety, a set of manners or knowledge of how to behave in
a given situation. It presumes that the various roles and relationships of life
have been clearly defined. Second meaning ritual when life is detailed to
Confucian lengths it becomes completely ordered. According to Confucious,
there were five basic relationships in life. The five hierarchical relationships
define the basis of a well-ordered society and when given proper
performance of the duties of mutual responsibility and obedience, the power

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

of the state becomes redundant. If Li were present in these relationships

throughout society, the social order would be ideal.
Confucianism believes society should be organized around five basic
relationships:
1. Father to Son there should be kindness in the father and filial piety

in the son.
2. Elder brother to younger brother There should be gentility in the

elder brother and humility in the younger.

3. Husband to wife there should be righteous behavior in the husband

and obedience in the wife.

4. Elder to junior there should be consideration among the elders and

deference among the juniors.

5. Ruler to subject there should be benevolence among the rulers and

loyalty among subjects

Ren - humaneness for others; helping others. According to Confucious only
the great sages of antiquity possessed Ren, but it as a quality that all should
seek do develop.
To achieve the Confucian goal, the superior human being, Li and Ren should
be present and operative in a person and the only way is Zhong Yong the
doctrine of the mean. Basically it means to balance well between or among
several solutions to a problem, and try to make all the parties involved
satisfactory.
However, its not that easy to a common person to match both Li and Ren
and at the same time make all people concerned satisfactory. So he invented
Jun Zi a man with great moral quality or a gentleman, in the sense of a
superior man. To be a Jun Zi you must follow Li and Ren and be: loyal to
*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the
Han Dynasty.

your ruler, loving your family, wise and brave, modest and humble, honest
and sincere, kind and generous, having a heart of gratitude and feeling of
shame in doing something wrong.

Sayings from The Analects

* Knowing what he knows and knowing what he
doesnt know, is characteristics of the person
who knows.
*

Making a mistake and not correcting it, is

making another mistake.
*

The superior man blames himself; the

inferior man blames others.

To go too far is as wrong as to fall short.

Mencious (Mengzi): Governing the State with Humane

Love
Mencius (Mengzi, 372-289 BC) was born from the state of Zou, in the present
Zou County of Shandong Province. His Father died when he was young. It
was his mothers teachings that changed his life. Many stories are told of
how his mother Zhng educated him to be a great scholar. She moved home
three times to better his upbringing. They first lived close to a graveyard,
where young Mencius learned the rituals of the burial ceremony. His mother
felt this was not good for his mental health, so she moved to a market. But
there she soon found the young scholar imitating market behavior, so she
moved to live near a school. She finally felt comfortable and resided there
when she saw Mencius learning ritual ceremony by playing games with other
children.
*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the
Han Dynasty.

Philosophy
Characterized by its idealism like his belief that the purpose of government
was to reflect and serve the interests of the common people and by his
assumption that mans nature is basically good Mencius theories are based
on Confucius ideas. Even so, his interpretations became classical as well in
Chinese Tradition. He is considered the second great thinker on the
philosophical school of Confucianism.
Main concepts
While Confucius himself did not explicitly focus on the subject off human
nature, Mencius asserted the innate goodness of the individual, believing
that it was societys influence its lack of a positive cultivating influence
that caused bad moral character. He who exerts his mind to the utmost
knows his nature and the way of learning is none other than finding the lost
mind.
To demonstrate the innate goodness, he exemplify by using a childs fall
down a well. Witnesses of this event immediately feel alarm and distress,
not to gain friendship with the childs parents, nor to seek the praise of their

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

neighbors and friends, nor because they dislike the reputation [of lack of
humanity if they did not recue the child]
The Four Beginnings (or Sprouts)
Commiseration beginning of humanity;
Shame and Dislike beginning of righteousness;
Deference and compliance beginning of propriety;
Right or wrong beginning of wisdom.
According to Mencius human nature has an innate tendency towards
goodness, but moral rightness cannot be instructed down to the last detail.
This is why merely external control fails in improving society. The true
improvements results from educational cultivation in favorable
environments. Likewise, bad environments tend to corrupt the human will.
This, however, is not proof of innate evil because a clear thinking person
would avoid causing harm to others.
Education education must awaken the innate abilities of the human mind.
Destiny he believed in the power of Destiny in shaping the roles of human
beings in society. Destiny cannot be contrived by the human intellect or
foreseen; is shown when a path arises that is both unforeseen and
constructive; should not be confused with fate; one who follows Destiny will
live a long and successful life, otherwise, will die before his time.
View on politics he emphasized the significance of the common citizens
in the state. He argued that it is acceptable for the subjects to overthrow or
even kill a ruler who ignores the peoples needs and rules harshly. This is
justified by the fact that a ruler who does not rule justly is no longer a true
ruler.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

This is viewed as an application of the Confucian philosophy to society, not

as instigation to violence against authorities.

Laozi: The Great Dao is like Water

Born: 6th 5th century BC (Zhou Dynasty)
Died: 531 BC (Zhou Dynasty)
School: Taoism
Notable ideas: Wu wei
Laozi lived at roughly the same time as Confucious. It was said that
Confucius once consulted Laozi, and respected him very much, saying, Isnt
Laozi just like a dragon! Laozi was once the head of the national library of
the Zhou Dynasty. He was both a great scholar and a recluse. Upon
discovering the corruption of politics, he decided to retire, travelling west on
the back of an ox or according to Chinese legend on a water buffalo to live as
a hermit in the unsettled frontier at age of 80.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

He is known as the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching a fundamental text

for both philosophical and religious Taoism, and the founder of philosophical,
ritual tradition and also religion Taoism, which emphasizes living in harmony
with the Tao (Daoism) literally Way, and as a deity (idol, holy being, God) in
the same religion and others Traditional Chinese religions.

The roots of Taoism go back at least to the 4 th century BCE. Early Taoism drew its
cosmological notions from the School of Yinyang (Naturalists), and was deeply
influenced by one of the oldest text of Chinese culture, the Yijing which expounds a
philosophical system about how to keep human behavior in accordance with the
alternating cycles of nature.

Some famous sayings:

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the
Han Dynasty.

"When goodness is lost, it is replaced by morality."

"Without Darkness, there can be no Light."
"The usefulness of a pot comes from its emptiness."
"The best people are like water, which benefits all things and does not
compete with them. It stays in lowly places that others reject. This is why it is
so similar to the Way."
"When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly. When
people see some things as good, other things become bad."
"Try to change it and you will ruin it. Try to hold it and you will lose it."
"Those who know do not say. Those who say do not know."
"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."
"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe."
"A journey of a thousand miles starts under one's feet."
"The more that laws and regulations are given prominence, the more thieves
and robbers there will be."
Laozi, Tao Te Ching

Zhuangzi: Wondering at Ease without Self

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Its an ancient Chinese text from the late Warring States period (476-221 BC)
which contains stories and anecdotes that exemplify the carefree nature of
the ideal Daoist sage. His author was Zhuang Zhou and it was published on
the 3rd century BC. Zhuang Zhou said to be born around 369 BC at a place
called Meng in the state of Song (around modern Shangqiu, henan Province)
and died around 301, 295, or 286 BC. Almost nothing is concretely known of
Zhuangzis life.
Is one of the two foundational texts of Daoism along with the Dao De Jing
(Laozi) and it is generally considered the most important of all Daoist
writings.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Though primarily known as a philosophical work, the Zhuangzi is regarded as

one of the greatest literary works in all of Chinese history, and has been
called the most important pre-Qin text for the study of Chinese Literature.
Notable Passage
Once, Zhuang Zhou dreamed he was a butterfly, a butterfly flitting and
fluttering about, happy with himself and doing as he pleased. He didn't know
that he was Zhuang Zhou.
Suddenly he woke up and there he was, solid and unmistakable Zhuang
Zhou. But he didn't know if he was Zhuang Zhou who had dreamt he was a
butterfly, or a butterfly dreaming that he was Zhuang Zhou. Between Zhuang
Zhou and the butterfly there must be some distinction! This is called the
Transformation of Things.
Zhuangzi, chapter 2
Basically, he didnt know he was dreaming or awaked.
Concepts
Through the stories and anecdotes he defends living with natural
spontaneity, uniting ones inner self with the cosmic Way (Dao), keeping
oneself distant from politics and social obligations, accepting death as a
natural transformation, showing appreciation and praise for things others
view as useless or aimless, and stridently rejecting social values and
conventional reasoning.
Confucianism, Legalism, and Mohism defend concrete social, political, or
ethical reforms designed to reform people and society and thereby alleviate
the problems and suffering of the world but Zhuangzi believed that the way
to happiness was to free oneself from the world and its standards through
the Daoist principle of inaction (wwi) what happened to be action that is
not based on any purposeful striving or motives for gain and he was
fundamentally opposed to the systems that impose order on individuals. The
Zhuangzi vigorously opposes formal government.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Mozi
Born: 470 BC in what is now called Tengzhou, Shandong Province
Died: 391 BC
School: Founder of Mohism
Chinese Philosopher during the Hundred Schools of Thought period (early
Warring States period). He founded the school of Mohism that argued
strongly against Confucianism and Daoism.
Philosophy
His philosophy emphasized self-restraint, self-reflection and authenticity
rather than obedience to ritual. Mohism was actively developed and
practiced in many states but fell out of favor when the legalist in Dynasty
came to power.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Xunzi known also as Xun Kuang

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

Born: 313 BC, State off Zhao

Died: 238 BC (aged 74-75) state of Chu
He was a Chinese Confucian philosopher who lived during the Warring States
period and Contributed to one of the Hundred Schools of Thought. A book
known as the Xunzi, an influential collection of essays, is traditionally
attributed to him.
Xunzis doctrines were influential in forming the official state doctrines of the
Han Dynasty his influence waned, relative to that of Mencius. Sometimes he
is viewed as a precursor to Han Fei, another pre-Qin philosopher.
Philosophy
He witnessed the chaos surrounding the fall of the Zhou Dynasty and rise of
the Qin State which upheld legalistic doctrines focusing on states control,
by means of law and penalties.
Besides Xunzis variety of Confucianism therefore has a darker, more
pragmatic flavor than the optimistic Confucianism of Mencius, who tended to
view humans as innately good. He believed that humanitys inborn
tendencies were evil and that ethical norms had been invented to rectify
*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the
Han Dynasty.

people. He was educated in the state of Qi and taught proponents of

legalism, including the Qin Chancellor Li Si and Han Feizi. Thats why he is
sometimes associated with legalism. However, he believed that people could
be refined through education and ritual like the Confucians.

Han Fei also known as Han Fei Zi: Art of Rulership

Born: 280 BC
Died: 236 BC (age 47-48) State of Qin
Cause of Death: Convinced to commit suicide by drinking poison
Notable Work: Han Feizi
Movement: Legalism

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

He was an influential political philosopher of the Warring States period

Chinese Legalist School.
He is considered to be the greatest representative of Chinese Legalism,
because of his works Han Feizi which consist in the combination of the core
Legalist principles. His writings were very influential on the future first
emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang.
After early Demise of the Qin Dynasty, Hanss philosophy was officially
vilified by the following Han Dynasty. And despite its outcast status
throughout the history of imperial China, his political theory continued to
heavily influence every dynasty thereafter, and the Confucian ideal of a rule
without laws was never again realized.

Sun Zi widely known as Sun Tzu: Art of War

Born: 544 BC (Qi State)

Died: 496 BC
Notable Work: The Art of War

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

He was a general, military strategist, and philosopher who lived in the

Spring and Autumn period of ancient China. Sun Tzu is traditionally
credited as the author of The Art of War.
This widely influential work of military strategy, has affected both Western
and Eastern philosophy.
His work has been praised and employed through East Asia since its
composition.
In the 20th Century, The Art of War grew in popularity and saw practical use
in the Western society as well. It influences many competitive endeavors in
Asia, Europe, and America including culture, politics, business, and sports, as
well as modern warfare.

A copy of The Art of War written on bamboo

Some sayings from Sun Tzu in the Art of War

The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into
account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions
obtaining in the field.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.

These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth;
(4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.

These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them
will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.
According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.
All warfare is based on deception.

If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength,

evade him.
If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
If his forces are united, separate them.
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

*Considered the father of Chinese Historiography, he was a Chinese historian of the

Han Dynasty.