Chapter 8 World History Notes
In Search of Political and Social Order
A. Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) and His School
1. Confucius
a. Educator and political authority
b. Sayings were compiled in the Analects by his disciples 2. Confucian Ideas
a. Basically honesty and ethical in character
b. Thoroughly practical: how to restore political and social order c. Concentrated on formation of Junzi "superior individuals" d. Edited and assembled the Zhou classics for his disciples to study 3. Key Confucian Values
a. Ren: A sense of humanity, kindness, benevolence b. Li: A sense of propriety, courtesy, respect, deference to elders c. Xiao: Filial piety, familial obligation
d. Develop personal ethics and Junzi for bringing order to China 4. Mencius (372-289 B.C.E.), spokesman for the Confucian school a. Believed in the goodness of human nature (Ren) b. Supported government by generosity and humanity 5. Xunzi (298-238 B.C.E.) had a less positive view of human nature a. Believed that humans selfishly pursue own interests b. Preferred harsh social discipline to bring order to society c. Supported moral education and good public behavior B Daoism Featured Prominent Critics of Confucian Activism 1. Preferred rational reflection and self-examination, a life in harmony with nature 2. Laozi, founder of Daoism, allegedly wrote the Daodejing a. Classic of the Way and of Virtue
3. Zhuangzi (compendium of Daoist philosophy)
4. The Dao--the way of nature, the way of the cosmos
a. Elusive concept: an eternal principle governing all the workings of the world b. Dao is passive and yielding, does nothing
The Silk Road Silk Road - First came into use around 100 B.C.E. Origins • In 128 B.C.E., Chinese general Zhang Jian crossed the western China area under the expeditionbehalf of Emperor Wu of Han. He eventually went on 18 expeditions. • He brought a whole new garden to China. • New plants include: alfafa and wine grapes, pistachios, walnuts, pomegranates,
A. Confucius (551-479 B.C.E.) and His School
1. Confucius
a. Educator and political authority
b. Sayings were compiled in the Analects by his disciples 2. Confucian Ideas
a. Basically honesty and ethical in character
b. Thoroughly practical: how to restore political and social order c. Concentrated on formation of Junzi "superior individuals" d. Edited and assembled the Zhou classics for his disciples to study 3. Key Confucian Values
a. Ren: A sense of humanity, kindness, benevolence b. Li: A sense of propriety, courtesy, respect, deference to elders c. Xiao: Filial piety, familial obligation
d. Develop personal ethics and Junzi for bringing order to China 4. Mencius (372-289 B.C.E.), spokesman for the Confucian school a. Believed in the goodness of human nature (Ren) b. Supported government by generosity and humanity 5. Xunzi (298-238 B.C.E.) had a less positive view of human nature a. Believed that humans selfishly pursue own interests b. Preferred harsh social discipline to bring order to society c. Supported moral education and good public behavior B Daoism Featured Prominent Critics of Confucian Activism 1. Preferred rational reflection and self-examination, a life in harmony with nature 2. Laozi, founder of Daoism, allegedly wrote the Daodejing a. Classic of the Way and of Virtue
3. Zhuangzi (compendium of Daoist philosophy)
4. The Dao--the way of nature, the way of the cosmos
a. Elusive concept: an eternal principle governing all the workings of the world b. Dao is passive and yielding, does nothing
The Silk Road Silk Road - First came into use around 100 B.C.E. Origins • In 128 B.C.E., Chinese general Zhang Jian crossed the western China area under the expeditionbehalf of Emperor Wu of Han. He eventually went on 18 expeditions. • He brought a whole new garden to China. • New plants include: alfafa and wine grapes, pistachios, walnuts, pomegranates,