Confucianism vs. Taoism in modern life: Society's Demulcent or Despair?
By: Charlotte Schultz Teacher: Ms. Bradley
Today's society. A rushing river of ideas on how to live, how to work, how to spend the most important thing we own: life. This topic has extended on hundreds to thousands of years, and there is many ancient manners of how life is supposed to work. Some of the first philosophers who wanted to create ways of peace and harmony between people were Chinese philosophers, who created ways of order and system while allowing the normal human flow of a comfortable life. Two remarkable examples of these philosophies are Confucianism and Taoism. Both created in the time of Chinese Zhou dynasty by two noteworthy people, Confucianism by
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What are their purpose? First, let's evaluate Confucianism and what it stands for. No other philosophy had touched China the way this one had did, causing people to believe that in order for society to improve people must treat others with politeness, respect, and mercy. This was known as the kinder way to live your life and was approved later after this philosophy was created in society. This impacted the flow of daily life, changed the path of a flowing river of different beliefs, so to say, (In which we have reverted back to today, with many people having different views on contrasting procedures of life), and overall changed how people viewed life in general. People had a role and function in society as well to that concept, and it was believed for society to function in a proper way that everyone had to play their role well. Good manners, etiquette, and wisdom were valued and appreciated throughout the ways of Confucianism. Another, yet smaller philosophy is Taoism. Taoism respected the natural way of life and believed that people's lives correlated with nature in ways that they were to respect and honor, much like Confucianism believe that you should honor people, but with nature values as well. Harmony with people and nature were strived to be achieved with this philosophy as well. Taoists believed that they needed to live simply and quietly, attempting to live in harmony with the forces of nature rather than …show more content…
Taoism is the idea of respect for nature (A much needed attribute to daily life) and the belief of living a simple, quiet life in order to come in terms with nature. This is first, a good idea in today's society because nature has been disrespected and thrown aside when it needs to be cared and nurtured in order for the human species to survive. This life of respect of your own needs and not climbing for power would also help people to create their own decisions based on what is good for the world, not themselves. This custom would be terrible for megalomaniacs who only want power and large merchandise companies that only want money, not the good of the environment that surrounds them and what they will ultimately have to live with. They forget that they need to take care of the environment and not have the need to grow their business, which is a good highlight of what Taoism stands for. These values have virtually no drawbacks, as it would improve society and help the world stop global warming and the eventual demise of our world, making it a far better choice for society and that would make the world a far better
Confucius, (551-479 B.C.E.) the Chinese social philosopher was best known for creating one of the
Confucianism teaches that each person should accept his or her role in society. According to document number five, Confucianism became the basis of order and respect in China. It was central in governing China. The teachings of Confucius were even studied for civil service exams. Essentially, Confucius believed that younger people should show respect and obey anyone who was older, so respect your
Unlike the Confucians, who actively tried to change the political system, Taoists pursue wuwei (nonaction) in living. According to the Tao Te Ching, by not acting one is not doing any harm which is the result of surrendering to the Tao. By doing such, one no longer has a corrupt nature and is moral and perfect human. If a person is in harmony with the Tao they are also in harmony with all
Confucianism promotes a social hierarchy that is important to the stability of the society. It creates a social order that ensures that there is order and a hierarchy within society. So people respect the rank of the people above them, and
Taoist ethics are based upon people living in harmony among others. 5. What is the history of Taoism?
The growth in the amount of special rituals and ceremonies, to promote harmony with the mystical life force, was an action that had never really been seen or done before in China, showing us that this was the beginning of a new period in the Chinese cultural ways. The followers of Taoism in China also started engaging in frugal living, which allowed for a growth in humility and connection to nature. Lastly with many leaders in the government changing over to certain parts of the Taoist lifestyle, they were able to make Taoism more compatible with Confucianism, allowing for both to be practiced at the same
The religion of Confucianism begins, of course, with Confucius whose Chinese name was Kong Qui and who lived from 551 B.C. to 479 B.C. Surprisingly Confucius was merely a low level government worker. He did not exactly view himself as the founder of a school of thought. Regardless, Confucianism is the most influential belief system in Chinese culture. It provides the rules which govern the social behavior of the individual. The basic teachings of Confucius are grounded in the Five Constant Virtues: humanity, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faithfulness. Confucius went on to define five basic human relations and
When looking at the ideas of Confucianism, one must look at the values that he expresses that are essential to human beings in order to become gentleman. Some of these values are present in every society and in every country. Ideas like jen and the Golden Rule are indispensable to life in almost every society on the globe.
Confucianism is regarded as one of the primary religions that have profoundly influenced Chinese beliefs and ideologies. While Kongzi, or Confucius, is the founder of Confucianism, he is not the only philosopher who has contributed to such a significant impact on China. Similarly, the Analects of Confucius is not the single text that represents Confucianism. In fact, during different time periods throughout the history, there are a number of eminent representatives of Confucian thoughts, such as Mengzi and Xunzi. Because Confucianism aims at eliminating chaos and maintaining order in a harmonious society , they all agree that the guidance and education of virtuous Confucian pioneers are of extreme importance to achieve this
Confucian ethics focused on groups, humans living in communities and in societies advancing human culture and civilization in harmony and balance with each other. Taoist(Daoist) ethics focused on individuals separate lives and personal moral advancement in harmony and balance with nature. Both Confucian and Daoists focus on cultivation of Wen and virtue of Te-power without force. Both also focus on a kind of humility. In Confucianism this is Chun Tzu; in Daosim it is humility to nature and natural order. Both honor the past, tradition, and ancestors, and both have a concern for the future. However, the
These relationships are upheld to create a mutual respect and trust between the people involved. The five Confucian virtues are Ren/Jen (Humanness), Shu (Reciprocity), Li (Propriety), Wen (Culture), and Xiao (Filial Piety). The virtues are used as a way instill social harmony. It is ultimately the goal to create a Junzi/ Chun tzu, or the “ideal personality”, which is referred to as the ideal human being. Taoism has the main teachings of Tao, wu wei (or effortlessness), simplicity, gentleness, and relativity. Tao, which is recognized in Confucianism as well, has many meanings and can be translated as “existence,” “pattern,” and “process.” Wu wei recommends that one must not seek unnecessary actions. Simplicity, as it sounds, urges to eliminate the artificial from our lives and to embrace what nature grants us; because of simplicity, they prefer not to seek out unnecessary higher education unlike Confucianism. Gentleness shows that a wise person does not seek violence. And finally, relativity teaches that one must not use a limited view point based on their own concerns. Thusly, Confucianism preaches the importance of upholding one’s relationships with others; meanwhile, Taoism advocates a harmonious, natural, and peaceful universe.
Confucianism and Daoism are two influential schools of thoughts that have existed in ancient China around the 6th century BCE. The former, led by the politician and philosopher Confucius, proposed that humans live in society according to a set of predefined rules and that they transform society through political action. Whereas the latter, led by the philosopher Lao-Tzu, promoted the idea of inaction; people should go with the flow instead of taking action to control their lives and dominate their surroundings. Although, at first glance Daoism and Confucianism seem to be two opposing philosophies, a more in depth analysis of two of their key ideas –filial piety and education—reveals that they do share some similarities.
In Chinese history, there were three main philosophies: Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism. These beliefs helped shape Chinese culture as well as Chinese history. Not only did people believe in these ideas, but the three helped to govern the mighty Chinese dynasties. These dynasties all provided an impact to each doctrine; the philosophy that had the greatest impact was legalism because it ended the Warring States Period, provided structure, and strengthened agriculture, and the military of China. Although Confucianism, Taoism and Legalism had a few things in common and at times tried to resolve the same problem, they were very different from each other in their beliefs, character, and ways of life.
The following report is presented in order to show that there is a specific stimulus for the selection of a particular accounting policy or method from a range of its alternatives. In the report, one of the most successful companies of Australia, i.e. Woolworths Limited (Woolworthslimited.com.au, 2015) is chosen and all the requirements of the report are fulfilled keeping this company in mind. The particular area with which the accounting policies relate is tangible fixed asset, and its valuation. For clarity and understanding point of view, the actual examples from the financial statements in the published annual reports of the company in the past
The Taoist philosophy followed an interesting circle. On one hand, that Taoists rejected the regulation of life and society and preached instead to turn away from it to a solitary meditation of nature. On the other hand, they believed that by doing this one could ultimately have power enough to harness the whole universe. That by doing "nothing" one could accomplish "everything".