Three Chinese Philosophies 5 Paragraph Exploratory Essay

Document Based Question

Confucianism

Confucianism • Social-political philosophy (to aid

with problems on earth, not the Heavens)

• End of the Zhou Dynasty

• Confucius, a man, felt that China was full of rude, dishonest people

• He wanted people to return to having good ethics

Confucius

Confucius Teachings

• Confucius traveled all over teaching his ideas

• His teachings were put into a book called The Analects

• Confucianism is meant to guide behavior

Confucianism Family

• High respect for family, hard work, education, and mutual respect

• Life and politics are based on Paternal (protect) and Deference (obey) relationships

• Fathers should be role models for family

• Children should respect and obey their parents

• Families should be loyal to one another

Confucianism (cont.)

• 5 Basic Relationships

• Governor – governed• Husband – wife• Parent – child• Elder – younger• Friend – friend

Confucianism & Government

• Do not have strict laws

• Have leaders be good role models for morals and behavior

• King should inspire good behavior- not scare people into good behavior

• Emperor- top of hierarchy- The protector (Good)

Daoism/Taoism

Daoism/Taoism• Started by a man named Lao Tsu who lived about 600

BCE• Is a philosophy (way of thinking) but turned into a

Religion- based on observing nature • Lao Tsu believed that people needed to “go with the

flow” (wu-wei) let nature take its course

The Way (The Force)● Each person finds their OWN way to the Path (the Tao) (anti-govt)

● To obtain Tao one must:

○ Meditate

○ Distance yourself from wants

○ Commune with nature

○ Accept disorder in the world

○ Achieve Tao through contemplation not education (anti-Confucian)

● Life is a balance of opposites (Yin and Yang)

Yin and Yang• Believed everything in the universe had a life

force- a yin and yang-opposites• Yin-dark side- is women, moon, things that are

still & death• Yang-light side-is men, sun, things that move &

birth• Must keep the yin and the yang balanced

Beliefs that lead to The Way• Wrong for people to fight

• Wrong for government to make rules and laws

• Against any kind of set rules, diets, etc. that apply to everyone

• Had theories regarding the body, diet, breathing and physical exercises, uses of herbs, philosophical inquiry and meditation.

• The Taoist feels these ideas bring a human being into closer alignment with the “natural order” of life and living

Legalism

Legalism Beliefs• A system of Rewards and Punishment • People are bad and must be forced to be good

– Therefore, society needs strict laws above all

• Religion is not involved

• Law applies to everyone no matter social status (rich or poor)

• People should be responsible for other people’s actions.

– Ex- neighbors and relatives should also be punished

• Education is bad- Confuses people and weaken their respect for the law

• Scare people into obeying laws

3 Parts of Legalism Fa (law)

● Laws were written and made public

● The laws ran the state the rulers did not

● Laws were enforced by strict rewards and punishments

Shu-arts of the ruler

● Rulers should not be kind

● Being kind leads to failure

● They need to be strict otherwise people get disrespectful and lazy

Shi (legitimacy)

● Keeping order was the first priority

● Anyone could rule as long as laws were in place

Exploratory Essay

5 Paragraphs

5 Paragraph Exploratory Essay

Step 1) Understanding what is required: We will go over what is an exploratory essay, the prompt, essay format, and how you will be graded.

Step 2) Understanding the topic: We will go over the foundational beliefs of the three philosophies together.

Step 3) Primary sources: We will work in groups to analyze 8 primary source documents

Step 4) Writing process: This will include a rough draft, peer review, and revisions. The rough draft and revisions will be completed in class. This process will be treated as a test and will be graded as such.

Objective: Exploratory essays approach a topic from an objective point of view with a neutral tone (Not your personal opinion). Rather than trying to solve a problem, this essay looks at all the different points of views on the topic and try to explain the different viewpoints clearly.

Prompt: Explain how each of the three Chinese philosophies (Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism) present different ideas of a successful leader?

Are there any words that need to be defined Rewrite the prompt in using your own words

Essay Outline:

5 paragraph essay

Introduction

3 body

Conclusion

1. Introduction paragraph2. Body paragraph topic A3. Body paragraph topic B4. Body paragraph topic C5. Conclusion paragraph

Introduction Paragraph

● Briefly explain the topic ○ The three Chinese philosophies one sentence for each

● Fully answer the prompt in a one sentence claim○ Prompt: Explain how each of the three Chinese philosophies

(Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism) present different ideas of a successful leader?

○ For example, how they are different

3 Body Paragraphs

● Using A.C.E. ○ Answer the question (topic sentence).○ Cite 1 piece of evidence that supports your answer.○ Explain how this evidence supports your answer.○ Cite a 2nd piece of evidence that supports your answer.○ Explain how this 2nd piece of evidence supports your answer.○ Transition into the next paragraph with a concluding sentence.

● You will repeat this 3 times to explain each of the philosophies.

Conclusion Paragraph

The conclusion should include a brief explanation of the difference between the three philosophy but no new information.

Finally, this is where you can tell your personal opinion on the topic. Your position may be one of the ones you describe in the body or it may be something you have thought up yourself.

If you aren't sure what you think, then say that and explain what you think are the most important points to consider. You may also challenge the reader to decide. Outline the main things we need to think about when we make a decision about this question (the qualities of a successful leader)—what is important and what is not.

Grading:

Classwork will be worth 40% of your grade

3 Completed close reading articles on each philosophy

3 Handouts that help you understand each philosophy

8 Completed primary source analysis handouts

Ladder of Feed peer review and revision of essay

Final essay will be worth 30% of your grade

Warning: Please note that this assignment is know as a culminating process. That is, each of the steps must be completed in order. This assignment will take up the rest of the semester. It will either make or break your final grade. If you fall behind there is not time to make it up.

An A paper will do ALL of the following:❏ Thesis/Claim is precise, knowledgeable, and significant❏ Develops the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant

facts, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples ❏ Skillfully quotes or paraphrases the data & conclusions of others while

avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation❏ Skillfully draws evidence from informational texts to support analysis and

thesis/claim❏ Organization skillfully sequences the claim(s), reasons, and evidence to

maintain the flow of ideas and advance the thesis.❏ Provides a concluding statement or section that skillfully follows from or

supports the explanation/information presented ❏ Skillfully produces clear, coherent, sophisticated writing in which the

development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience

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