CONFUCIANISM

DAOISM

CONFUCIANISM
HISTORY: Confucianism was created in 500 BCE
by Kong Qiu (Confucius).
PRINCIPLE: humaneness, righteousness, good
manners, knowledge, integrity and filial piety
ETHICS: Ren, Vi and Li.
CHARACTER EDUCATION: respect, honesty,
empathy and self-discipline.
GENERAL SUMMARY (aspects): rigid, detailed,
traditional pattern of hierarchical social behavior.

DAOISM
HISTORY: founded by and Lao Tzu and Zhuang.
Books are Daode jing, and Zhuangzi (mature Daoism).
Daoism started as a form of philosophy and psychology
but evolved into religion.
MAIN PRINCIPLE: To be one with nature.
PHILOSOPHICAL DAOISM: Dao (human or social
Dao ), tian (natural Dao), and great Dao.
IMPACT IN ANCIENT CHINA: Tao is often associated
with the emperor Xian Di of the Han dynasty. Shortly
after, it became the backbone of Chinese history. It also
influenced the introduction of science in the 1st century.
IMPACT IN MODERN CHINA: Politics

DAOISM

CONFUCIANISM
- Ancestors are important

- After death, the soul gains

ability to move through space
and time.

- After death, one is worshipped

as an ancestor

- Values: contemplation

- Values: respect
- TRADITION AND STUDY NOT
NATURAL UNDERSTANDING

Philosophical and religious

(meta ethical focus)

More philosophical than religious

DIFFERENCES

SIMILARITIES

Non-Monotheistic religion
No heaven or hell
Both view other religions- there are no contradiction in
worshipping more than one god.
Both celebrate Chinese new year!

Philosophy of Confucianism
vs
Religion of Daoism

Confucianism

Daoism

Humans should respect those Humans should follow the

who are superior to them.
way
Brotherhood of humanity is
very important

Life is always good.

There is only one God,

however, human conduct is
more important.

There are various deities.

However, mankind should try
to be one with nature.

The goal is to have social

harmony.

The goal is to have balance

in life.

Cultural influences of Daoism and

Confucianism
Food: diet is very important is Daoism . The ultimate goal is
to reach a state where food becomes a want instead of a
necessity.
Religious clothing: Daoism- Han attire
Confucianism- NONE
Confucianism is taught in Mandarin or Cantonese.
The origin of Daoism is in the language of ancient Chinese.
Confucianism: China, Korea, Vietnam and Chinese diaspora.
Daoism: China ad the Chinese diaspora
Holidays: Confucianism: teacher day, ancestor day.
Daoism: three day festival of the dead, lantern festival.

Women in Confucianism and Daoism

CONFUCIANISM

DAOISM

Females are SOCIALLY

inferior to males

Generally equal because they

are spoken9 of highly in the
Tao Te Jing (Chapter 6).
However, the roles may
change indifferent schools.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Chou. "Confucianism And Character Education: A Chinese View."
Journal of Social Sciences 9.2
Juergensmeyer, Mark. The Oxford Handbook of Global Religions.
Oxford: Oxford UP, 2006. Print.
"Humanistic Spirit." History of Taoism. Cultural China, n.d. Web.
30 Sept. 2014.
Laozi, and D. C. Lau. "Chapter 6." Tao Te Ching. London:
Penguin, 1963. N. pag. Print.

HONEY-OYINDAMOLA SUNMONU