The Leading Thinkers from the

“One Hundred Schools”

of the Late Zhou

 

 

·       Why is this world so chaotic?

 

·       How does one find stability for the individual?  For society?

 

·       What is the “good life”?

 

·       Note: No one (at this time) asked for the “meaning” of life.

 

 

Confucius

(551-479 BCE)

 

Ren (Jen): "human-ness," benevolence

 

 

Dao (Tao): the natural order of things is a moral order.

 

 

Li: ritual that reveals the natural order

 

 

Mencius

(372-289 BCE)

 

 

Yi: "ritual" in personal behavior

 

Right Relationships: father-son, subject-ruler, husband-wife, elder brother-younger brother, and friend-friend

 

Humankind is born good

 

People have the right to overthrow cruel leaders.

 

 

Mohism

 

Mozi

(479-381 BCE)

 

Universal Love vs. "Graded Love"

 

Unity of Thought and Action

 

Obey Rulers for the Common Good

 

 

Taoism

 

Laozi

(c. 500 BCE)

 

The Way (Tao) cannot be described.

 

Wu wei: "effortlessness" as a political strategy.

 

 

Zhuangzi

(died c. 329 BCE)

 

 

Focus more on the individual

 

One should neither reform things in life nor keep them the same.  Instead, one should rise above them.