An Essay on Philosophies

[Bao]

Well, my teacher gave us this assignment today to write about the three philosophies of Chinese Philosophies and specifically Legalism, Daoism/Taoism, and Confucianism. He said we can write it as long as we want and all, but seeing as I'm Asian, I decided to write a bit more. >_>

Anyway, this isn't brainstormed much or made into a rough draft at first, I just started typing it up and winging it.

Give me some thoughts on it please

(BTW, I'm in U.S. History, but my teacher says that we need to review on our WORLD History as they don't teach it enough in one year. Well yeah, obviously you can't learn the entire world history in one year.)

Three Philosophies


The three Chinese Philosophies were written by different people dating back as far as 2,500 years ago. The most famous of them are; Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism. These three philosophies shaped the way China is run today, and the way people think. Although these started out as philosophies, some of them became regarded as religion or government. Although many people have different views on them, the one that I believe is most logical and agreeable with would be Confucianism. Confucianism is the logical, and in my opinion the more "right" way.

Not necessarily right technically, because everyone would probably have their own definition of "right", but Confucianism is logical if you think about it. Confucianism revolves around a right or wrong, ying and yang type of reasoning. It interacts more with your way of thinking, and that you should most importantly think before you speak, get a good education, and respect your family. All of which is important even in today's society. A few examples of Confucius' famous sayings are:
"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do."
"Study the past if you would define the future." - Confucius
Confucius is actually more or less the opposite of Legalism, which wants to enforce government and force. Confucianism is more peaceful, logical, think-before-you-speak type of behavior and state of being. Although Daoism also likes to think peaceful and "go with the flow of nature" it's not as logical as Confucianism, because simply not everything can go along with nature. Human beings cannot co-exist with each other if there is no modification of some kind. At least not in the current society.

It's almost similar to a Goldilocks situation, Legalism is too harsh, Daoism is too peaceful, but Confucianism is just right. I believe that Daoism is too peaceful, and not enough discipline to properly live your life. Living in a carefree type of world and just letting whatever happen to you just happen to you. More or less stupid if you think about it. If you were to be ill from a disease and the only way to get a cure were to be medicine, take the medicine or follow the "ways" of Daoism? Too short lived to be enjoyed I believe. Legalism restricts you from doing most of the things that you might want to do in your life, but cannot do due to it's restrictions. Legalism is similar to the way of thinking that Communism or Socialism has today. As our current society shows Communism and Socialism tend to cause more pandemonium and riots against the government than it does actually controlling the people. Living in a society of people telling you what to do is just really...idiotic. Ever since living in a free country, the idea of being controlled as a puppet would not be a fun life. Most people don't like to be controlled or told what to do all the time. The entire "iron fist" rule defeats the purpose of being civil. Many people have been killed by this way of practice, and I still have no idea why they still enforce it. In an argument, screaming will usually not help if the other person is fixed on something that they want to prove. The better thing to do is to persuade someone to listen to your point, not scream at them and show evidence. Which is why propaganda is usually the biggest way Legalism is accepted. They put induce hoaxs and lies on the people so that they can control them. Why? Why would you want to live a life that possibly half your life, take or give, is being controlled by someone else? Of course laws are required to keep crime away and people safe, from themselves and from others, but controlling salary, what you do, and sometimes even whom you marry is just too much. At least a little freedom needs to be expressed, I believe that Legalism puts people under a tremendous amount of stress and doesn't let people exercise their rights, if they have any at all. People need alone time, time for themselves sometimes, but Legalism minimizes this at much as possible.

I believe that the most important parts of you are your body and your mind. Take away the way people think, their mind, and you take away their way of life; their religion, their family, who they live with, what they learn. Take away the body and you lost your life; hence Daoism. Confucianism is still accepted even in today's society, hard to believe that something someone wrote 2,500 years ago is still being learned in schools today, and accepted worldwide. I believe Confucius to be a type of "hero" although I've never had one, but I believe that he truly thought that knowledge was power. Which I also believe is very true.

[Belaslav]

It's good, but I don't see the essay structure. This is a personal essay right?

[Bao]

Yeah, there really isn't a structure to it, no true thesis, just trying to prove a point really, which is what my teacher wanted. =\

It's really only supposed to be like a paragraph of what you think about this, and why, but I wanna own him and just make him read more.

[Belaslav]

Only a paragraph?

You'll get an A guaranteed.

[Icy]

Isn't Taoism the one that goes on about "the right way"? >_< It's all about 道
Confucianism is about human relations, like how a ruler should treat his people. This one's about 礼，仁 and 孝.

Confucianism revolves around a right or wrong, ying and yang type of reasoning.

Eh... That's Taoism.

[Bao]

Isn't Taoism the one that goes on about "the right way"? >_< It's all about 道
Confucianism is about human relations, like how a ruler should treat his people. This one's about 礼，仁 and 孝.



Eh... That's Taoism.

Taoism is more of a go along with nature and a natural order of things. =\

[bcdood]

I hope you're not shooting for an 'A'. That is all I'm contributing to this topic.

[Icy]

Taoism is more of a go along with nature and a natural order of things. =

It is the fine-tuning of one's spiritual self. Confucianism deals with human relations ie. ancient politics. Also. Just like many other religions around Taoism has its own "set of things to follow OR ELSE..." xD Whereas, Confucianism tells you how you should relate to people from different hierarchies in society.

[bcdood]

Taoism is more of a go along with nature and a natural order of things. =

Taoism is basically being lazy.

[Icy]

Taoism is basically being lazy.

xD The reason a Taoist priest sits there doing nothing is because he thinks he is fine tuning with nature and gathering himself spiritually. He does nothing doesn't mean he thinks nothing. Who knows what's going through his mind

Legalism is too harsh, Daoism is too peaceful, but Confucianism is just right

Taoism does not deal with politics.

Legalism is similar to the way of thinking that Communism or Socialism has today. As our current society shows Communism and Socialism tend to cause more pandemonium and riots against the government than it does actually controlling the people.

Ever since living in a free country, ...

I see a big flaw there =/ Legalism is in fact more or less what you now experience: a state where no-one is above Law. It can easily become a Dictatorial scenario if the leader steps above the Law, but to move into a Totalitarian thing is going to the extreme. This happens if the leader clings onto his position and will do everything to make sure of it. This scenario can result from any kind of government as long as there is a leader =/ It is what what Communism led to but it is in no way part of it.

And free country? ._o