Chinese Philosophy: Origin and Philosophers

Chinese philosophy began thousands of years ago during a time of many different ideas when wise people were often leaders and inventors, showing the practical side of wisdom. Classical Chinese philosophers paid more attention to ethics rather than questions of knowledge and logic. They were less interested in connecting thoughts to the outside world and more about how individuals best fit into society.

Major philosophical ideas like Confucianism, Legalism, and Taoism emerged during this ancient time. There were also lesser-known philosophies like Agriculturalism, Mohism, Chinese Naturalism, and the Logicians. Today, Confucianism still plays a big role in how Chinese people act.

Focusing on understanding humanity and human life is very important in Chinese philosophy. This idea is similar to Socrates’ belief in “Know thyself,” written at the Delphi Temple entrance in ancient Greece. In his book “An Essay on Man,” Cassirer says that understanding ourselves is the main goal of philosophy. He believes this idea is a central point for all cultures and times, and Chinese philosophy also follows this belief.

We have mentioned in detail about origin of Chinese philosophy, various philosophers, periods, and much more about it.

Chinese Philosophy Overview

Chinese Philosophy talks about Confucianism, which originated during the Spring and Autumn period from the teachings of Confucius, a Chinese philosopher from 551 to 479 BCE who explains ethics and politics, emphasizing personal and governmental morality, social relationships, justice, traditional values, and sincerity. Further details about Chinese Philosophy are discussed below.:

• Confucianism and Legalism established the first meritocracy, greatly influencing Chinese culture and East Asian societies.

• Taoism replaced Confucianism during the early Han dynasty.

• Legalism declined due to its relationship with authoritarianism but continued to impact philosophy.

• Mohism lost favor to Confucianism during the Han dynasty.

• The Six Dynasties era saw the rise of Xuanxue and Chinese Buddhism.

• Neo-Confucianism emerged during the Song and Ming dynasties.

• Chinese philosophy integrated Western concepts in the 19th and 20th centuries.

• Modern Chinese philosophy includes New Confucianism, influenced by socialism in the market economy.

• Ancient Chinese philosophy still influenced Chinese culture, and after the economic reform, Chinese philosophy experienced a resurgence.

• Some other philosophies also appeared, like Agriculturalism, Mohism, Chinese Naturalism, and the Logicians, but they’re less well-known today. Confucianism still plays a big role in Chinese society, especially in manners and behavior.

Origin of Chinese Philosophy

Chinese Philosophy originated during the Warring States period, between 475 and 221 BCE. Some early thoughts can be traced back to the Book of Changes from around 672 BCE. With time, Chinese philosophy has seen many changes and mixtures of ideas, a perfect example of different streams coming together to form a big river. This has been happening since ancient times and continues today. Starting in the late 18th century, Western philosophical ideas also began to blend in with Chinese philosophy.

Around 500 BCE, as China entered the Spring and Autumn period, the Hundred Schools of Thought era began, marking the golden age of Chinese philosophy. This period saw the rise of many philosophical schools, but the most influential were Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism.

Major Chinese Philosophies

Confucianism

This philosophy is based on the teachings of Confucius, a Chinese thinker from ancient times. It discusses morals, society, politics, religion, and education, greatly impacting Chinese history and culture. Some people even see it as China’s main religion because it influenced Asian culture, became popular during the Tang and Song dynasties, and kept evolving.

Confucius talked about important things like respect for family, loyalty, rituals, and being kind to others. He thought the whole country would improve if people behaved well in their families and communities. Confucius also emphasized education and declared it key to building a good society.

Taoism

It is a philosophy that later became a religion based on ancient texts by Zhuangzi. The word “Tao” means “path”; it’s seen as a major force that exists everywhere but can’t be seen or explained. Taoism explains finding the right way to live morally. Taoism talks about things like not forcing things to happen, being gentle, and seeing things from different perspectives.

It’s often seen as a rival to Confucianism, which focuses on being active and doing the right thing. However, some people say you can practice Confucianism on the outside and Taoism on the inside. The main idea in Taoism is explained as follows: It is better to go with the flow to keep things in harmony and not interfere with nature or other people’s lives.

Legalism

This philosophy was based on the philosopher Han Fei during the late pre-Han dynasty. It is based on governing through strict laws and principles. In Legalism, authority is based on three principles:

• Law or principle (fa),
• Method or statecraft (shu)
• Legitimacy or power (shi).

Legalism was considered more difficult than other philosophical schools like Confucianism and Mohism, as it followed strict followance to laws and punishment. It promoted the idea that laws should be clear and punishments severe to maintain order. Ministers were rewarded based on the accuracy of their proposals, and the philosophy encouraged an aggressive approach to governance.

Mohism

The goal of Mohism was to create a society where everyone works together for the good, ensuring the well-being of all individuals. Mohism was founded by Mozi, who explained the concept of universal love and mutual benefit among all people. Mozi needed to find the Confucian rituals right and instead focused on practical activities like farming, fortification, and statecraft that were essential for societal well-being. The philosophy explained the concept of a moral guide to help people identify acceptable traditions and promote activities that benefit society.

What is Chinese Buddhism

Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that involves the teachings of Gautama Buddha, who lived in India from around the 6th to 5th century BCE. Buddhists seek to understand the true nature of reality. Buddhism had minimal influence in China until the 4th century AD when it blended with Taoism. This fusion introduced concepts like multiple hells for sinners, believing that good deeds could save souls. Chinese Buddhist schools answered the questions about the nature of reality and the path to enlightenment. They explained the concepts of offering insights into consciousness, the idea of emptiness, and different levels of truth.

In China, Buddhist thoughts mixed with Taoist ideas, forming unique schools of thought. These include Sanlun, Tiantai, Huayan, and Chan (Zen).Chinese Buddhism complements Neo-Confucianism, a philosophical movement in China that emphasizes meditation forms with Buddhism’s spiritual aspects.

List of Chinese Philosophers

The list of major Chinese philosophers includes the following in the table given below:

S.No.	Philosophers	Contribution
1	Confucius	Great Master, teachings often ridiculed by Taoists
2	Mencius	Idealistic follower of Confucius
3	Xun Zi	Follower of Confucius, teacher of Han Fei and Li Si
4	Zhu Xi	Founder of Neo-Confucianism
5	Wang Yangming	Advocate for the power of the mind
6	Laozi	Legendary founder of Taoism
7	Zhuang Zhou	Believed author of the Zhuangzi
8	Mozi	Founder of Mohist school, promoting universal love
9	Han Fei	Prominent legalist thinker
10	Li Si	Major proponent and practitioner of Legalism

Modern Chinese Philosophy

Chinese philosophy in the modern era started to mix with Western ideas. The traditional Chinese language didn’t have words for concepts like human rights, so new terms had to be created. People began calling for big changes, like democracy and industrialism, during movements such as the May Fourth Movement in 1911. Sun Yat-Sen introduced these ideas, and later, Mao Zedong added Marxism and communism.

When the Communist Party took over, they didnt follow the teachings of old philosophies and called them outdated. Today, China’s government follows a mix of socialism and a market economy. After the Cultural Revolution, China became more accepting of traditional beliefs. The constitution now allows freedom of religion with some limits.

Spiritual and philosophical groups can exist if they don’t challenge the Communist Party’s power. Despite these changes, the influence of past philosophies still shapes Chinese culture today.

Interesting Facts About Chinese Philosophy

Here are some of the interesting facts about the Chinese philosophy

• Confucius, an ancient Chinese philosopher, was born in 551 BC in a small place called Ch’in. He wasn’t rich or noble, but his wisdom made him famous. When he was 68, he was asked to teach at the king’s palace.
• The ancient philosophy is now mixed with modern technologies in China. For instance, guests bring gifts matching the host’s status when attending a party. This tradition, like wrapping, presents nicely and shows how Chinese philosophical ideas still matter in China today.
• Although Confucius presented the family as the foundation of society, he was divorced from his wife and lived with his students.
• The teachings of Confucius became more popular after his death; his followers created Confucianism, a major religion in China today.

Conclusion

Chinese philosophy can be summarized by the concept of the major teaching which is called Confucianism. Modern era is a mix of the teachings by Confucianism and technologies. Despite the various changes and combinations over time, this ancient Chinese philosophy has influenced and shaped the Chinese culture and religion. Additionally, starting from the late 18th century, Western philosophical ideas have also influenced Chinese philosophy, enriching its diverse traditions.

Read More

• Philosphy Definition
• Teachings of Buddha

Chinese Philosophy – FAQs

Who is considered the very first philosopher of China?

Confucius was the very first philosopher of China, and Confucianism was the major religion in China.

Who created Taoism?

Lao Tzu founded Taoism in the Zhou dynasty, sometimes between 500 to 400 BC.

What is the golden rule for Confucius?

The golden rule is “Do not impose on others what you do not wish for yourself”.

What is the real name of Confucius?

Confucius’s real name was Kong Qiu, and he was born in Qufu, a town in today’s Shandong province of Northeastern China.

Is Buddhism allowed in China?

It is among the five religions in China that the Chinese government recognizes.