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

(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 (Dao) 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.

Xunzi

(300-237 BCE)

Little innate goodness in people

"Li" refers to external standards imposed on the common people by sage kings

(d. 233 BC):

Founder of the Legalist School

Ruler as semi-divine figure

Society governed by laws and strict punishments

All social activity focused on strengthening the economy and military of the state.