Confucianism, Daoism & Legalism Essay -- essays research papers

Amidst the topsy-turvyness of political instability and constant warring of the Zhou era, arose many gifted thinkers that brought such profound impact in the field of politics, religion and philosophy. even out to the day, their influence can be espied in the many matters of China. Confucianism became the paramount groom of thinking and later significant philosophies such as Daoism and Legalism gained immense experience as well. Each party had their own proposals for creating an idealistic political orderliness where the many problems they faced in their everyday lives could be eliminated. All cardinal approaches were very distinct but at the same time, they contained certain similarities as well. In my reasoning, I find that Confucianism and Daoism could be paralleled in many slip representation to find several common grounds. On the other hand, Legalism goes on to fruit a more unique approach which was much incompatible from the preliminary both.     & nbspKongzi (Confucius, a Latinized name) was born in 551 B.C.E., to a poor family of the lower nobility. end-to-end his life, he relentlessly tried to gain an office with a self-aggrandizing ruler of the time who was willing to adopt his various concepts. Unfortunately, Confucius died in 479 B.C.E., to begin with such a change ever took place. However, he succeeded in benignant over a handful of devote followers who continued his bequest and Confucianism later went on to become one of the most influential judgement dusts of Chinese history. Of his followers, Mencius and Xunzi became the most renown. Since Confucius did not succeed in completing a manual of his views, these followers had to derive their own interpretations of the system which now formulate, the analecta. The Analects portray an idealized gentleman, and his various duties in terms of the society, family and the rituals. Confucius explains about the way (Dao) which he believed, that if the people accepted its ter ms and were willing to anticipate, they would succeed in creating a utopian society.     By the beginning of the common era, another philosophy emerges and gains wide acceptance among the commoners. Daoism, just like the predecessor and besides as the name implies, puts emphasis on "the way," that a certain individual is to abide to. Even though the two systems had different concepts about the way, the common denominator of some(prenominal) schools ... ...    Morality and benevolence were crucial factors for a successful state, according to Confucianism and Daoism. They also placed great importance for rituals and other traditions. Many practices were continued passim generations. Legalism believed that such aspects should have no role in the government. According to them, a strong rule with a strict hand was necessary in order to keep the citizens from growing lazy and disrespecting the authority.      Out of the three different thought systems, Legalism was a success in the sense that it achieved what the other two systems desperately strove for - the unification of China. "Qin conquered Yan in 226, Wei in 225, Chu in 223, Qu in 221. Now, in 221, it ruled the entire Chinese area and was ready to make that world over in the image of Qin" (Wills 41). Many of the Legalist ideas were quite thought raise and praiseworthy they believed in equality for all and government according to merit. However, the system gained a rotten reputation according to the ruthless rule of the beginning(a) Emperor. Confucianism thus became the official Philosophy, gaining wide acceptance in China.