IHS Policy Scenario

Thursday, 9/28

● Legalism & Confucianism notes● Five Key Relationships according to you

Reminder:

● Unit 2 test in one week

Learning Target

I can describe the basics of Legalism & Confucianism in writing.

Study Guide #14-15, 8-10

Legalism

• Political philosophy• Excessive adherence to law or

formula• Dependence on moral law rather

than on personal religious faith• Founded about 2200 Years ago

during Warring States Period in China

Legalism - Founder

• Han Feizi • Chinese political philosopher• Most important mind in

Chinese legalism– “Nature of man is evil. His

goodness is acquired.”

Legalism - Texts & Goal• Han Feizi (Book)

– To achieve order → pass strict laws & impose harsh punishments

– POWER is revered – strength is a leader’s greatest virtue

• Popular among feudal lords and the Qin dynasty, whom many believe fell from power because of their cruel behavior

Legalism Affects Life• Sacrifice Personal freedom →

good of state• Fearful of rulers → weakness of

Qin• Believed that every aspect of

human society ought to be controlled and personal freedom should be sacrificed for the good of the state

Happy Birthday, Confucius!

Beijing Opening Ceremony: Confucianism (25:05-32:00)

DAY 3: CONFUCIANISM

Keep in mind:

● Whose authority do you directly answer to?

● Who answers to your authority?

● Who should have the most authority in a society?

Confucianism Today● China, Japan, Taiwan, Korea,

Vietnam: share a Confucian philosophical world view

ConfucianismA political and social philosophy seeking social

harmony on all levels:Within the self…the family…the community...the state…the nation…the world…the cosmos

Learning from the past to improve the future – hierarchical society to ensure social order

Confucianism - Founder• Kung-Fu-tzu (Confucius) “Master

Kung”– The “greatest teacher who ever

lived”• Confucianism starts about 2500

years ago in China• Meng-Tzu (Mencius) (4th century)

continues to develop teachings of Confucius

Confucianism - Texts• The “Five Classics” (of the past):

– I-Ching– The Book of History – The Book of Poems – The Spring and Autumn Annals – The Book of Rituals

• The “Four Books” (Confucian)– Analects – Doctrine of the Mean– The Great Learning– The Book of Mencius

Ultimate GoalTo provide HARMONY IN

SOCIETY & To develop one’s Jen (Human Heartedness - the innate goodness of humanity)

Jen is developed through intentionally living by Confucian virtues…

More Confucian Virtues• Rectification of names – a person or

thing should be true to its name• Shu (Reciprocity) – the Golden Rule

– “Do not do to others what you would not want others to do to you”

• Li (rites, ritual) – the inherent “pattern” in behaviors

– For Confucius, Li is especially significant in a social context – propriety or etiquette, the “pattern” of humane behavior

Confucian VirtuesRespect for the five constant/key

relationships:– Ruler & Subject– Parent & child– Husband & wife– Older & younger sibling– Friend & Friend

• Filial Piety (respect for elders) is the most important duty

Confucianism Affects Society• Part of the Social

Structure• Government leaders

should lead by virtue – lead a virtuous life thus becoming an example for people

Confucianism as a Religion?• Confucian Temples – honoring

Confucius, but it would be considered non-theistic

• Combined with Chinese folk religions– Veneration of the ancestors –

ancestor worship– Rituals within…

• the household• the village• the state • the nation

Five Key Relationships according to you● Complete the half sheet of paper by

describing what you think the Five Key Relationships are or should be in society

1 relationship multiple people shared

1 totally unique relationship someone had

• “Lead the people by laws and regulate them by punishments and the people will simply try to keep out of jail, but will have no sense of shame. Lead the people by virtue…and they will have a sense of shame and moreover will become good.”

• Do we live in a world like that?• If you come to a stop sign in the middle of the

desert and no one is coming and there is no sign of a police officer, do you stop?

Confucianism vs. Legalism at IHS• How would IHS

change to become a representation of a Confucian state?

• How would IHS change to become a representation of a Legalist state?

Who said it: Confucius (1), Lao Tzu (2), or Buddha (3)?

● “Respect yourself and others will respect you.”○ Confucius

● “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”○ Buddha

● “Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.”○ Confucius

● “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.”○ Lao Tzu

● “The best fighter is never angry.”○ Lao Tzu

● “Just as a snake sheds its skin, we must shed our past over and over again.”○ Buddha