Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism

Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism influenced political rule in ancient China. Confucianism taught people to respect others, especially elders. Daoism taught that people gained happiness by living in peace and harmony, and Legalism taught that people should be punished if they do something wrong. These three philosophies all had different effects on the government in ancient China.

The goal of Confucianism was to create a peaceful society. People had to use good behavior, and respect the 5 relationships: ruler and subject; husband and wife; father and son; older sibling and younger sibling; friend and friend. An example of Confucianism was to respect elders, so elders had to set a good example. Confucianism also influenced people to use “The Golden Rule,” every person should treat every other person the way that they would want to be treated. The government was also influenced by this philosophy. People who wanted a job couldn’t just have it because of their family relationships; they had to have the knowledge and ability to do the job correctly. Future employees also had to prove that they were civil.

Daoism taught people that they gained happiness by living in harmony and using what nature gave them. In Daoism, people accepted what came to them, rather than wanting anything such as knowledge, fame, or fortune. This philosophy taught people to live harmoniously and to use what nature provided them with. It also encouraged rulers to govern less harshly and not to use punishments or to use benign chastisements.

Legalists believed that people are born selfish, so strict rules developed in Legalism. If people showed good behavior they were rewarded, but if people had bad behavior, they were severely punished. An example of Legalism was that many people were put to death because of disloyalty or criticizing the government. This philosophy influenced people to not have bad behavior and to try to have good behavior to get rewarded