We offer a philosophy of ancient China, a summary.Chinese philosophy has a history which stretches back several thousand years.Its origin is often associated with the Book of Changes, an ancient compendium of divination, dating from 2800 BC, where they were given some of the fundamental provisions of the Chinese philosophy.Age of Chinese philosophy can be estimated only roughly (its first flowering, usually referred to as the 6th century BC), as it dates back to the oral traditions of the Neolithic.In this article you can find out what is the philosophy of ancient China, briefly acquainted with the main schools and trends of thought.
the focus of the philosophy of the ancient East (China) for centuries put a practical concern for man and society, the question of how to organize life in society, how to live the ideal life.Ethics and political philosophy often took precedence over metaphysics and epistemology.Another feature of Chinese philosophy have thought about the nature and personality, which led to the development of the themes of unity of man and Heaven, the theme of man's place in the cosmos.
four schools of
Four particularly influential schools of thought emerged in the classical period of Chinese history, which began about 500 BCThey were Confucianism, Daoism (often spelled as "Taoism"), monism and Legalism.When China was united Qin Dynasty in 222 BC, Legalism was adopted as the official philosophy.Emperors of the late Han Dynasty (206 BC - 222 AD) took Taoism, and later, around 100 BC - Confucianism.These schools were central to the development of Chinese thought until the 20th century.Buddhist philosophy, which appeared in the 1st century BC, is widely spread in the 6th century (mainly during the reign of the Tang Dynasty).
In the era of industrialization in our time philosophy of the ancient East (China) has grown to include a concept taken from the western philosophy, which was a step towards modernization.During the reign of Mao, Marxism, Stalinism, and other communist ideology became widespread in mainland China.Hong Kong and Taiwan have revived interest in the Confucian ideas.The current government of the People's Republic of China supports the ideology of market socialism.The philosophy of ancient China, is summarized below.
Early beliefs
In the early Shang Dynasty thought based on the idea of recurrence, resulting from the direct observation of nature: the change of day and night, the seasons, the growth and decay of the moon.This idea remains relevant throughout Chinese history.During the reign of Shang fate could manage the great deity Shang Di, translated into Russian - "Almighty God."Ancestor worship was also present, as were the sacrifices of animals and people.
When the Shang dynasty was overthrown by the Zhou Dynasty, there was a new political, religious and philosophical concept of "Mandate of Heaven".According to her, if the ruler does not correspond to his position, he could be overthrown and replaced by another, more suitable.Archaeological excavations of the period indicate an increase in the level of literacy and a partial shift away from the belief in Shang-di.Ancestor worship has become commonplace, and the society has become more secular.
hundred schools
Around 500 BC, after the government eased Zhou, came the classical period of Chinese philosophy (almost at that time, there were also the first Greek philosophers).This period is known as the Hundred Schools.Of the many schools founded at this time, and during the next period of the Warring States, the four most influential were Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism and moizm.At that time, I believed to Kofutsy wrote "Ten wings" and a series of commentaries on the I Ching.
Imperial era
founder of the short-lived Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) unified China under the rule of the emperor and established Legalism as the official philosophy.Li Xi, founder of Legalism and the Chancellor of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty Qin Shi Huang, invited him to suppress the freedom of expression of intellectuals to bring together ideas and political beliefs and burn all the classic works of philosophy, history and poetry.Just school books Li Si had to be resolved.After he was deceived by two alchemists, promised him a long life, Qin Shi Huang buried alive 460 scholars.Legalism maintain its influence as long as the emperors of the late Han Dynasty (206 BC - 222 AD) did not take Taoism, and later, around 100 BC - Confucianismas the official doctrine.However, Taoism and Confucianism were not determined by the forces of Chinese thought until the 20th century.In the 6th century (mainly during the reign of the Tang Dynasty) Buddhist philosophy has been universally recognized, mainly because of the similarity with Taoism.That at the time was the philosophy of ancient China, summarized above.
Confucianism Confucianism - the collective teachings of the sage Confucius, who lived in 551-479 years.BC.
philosophy of ancient China, Confucianism, can be presented briefly as follows.It is a complex system of moral, social, political and religious thinking, which strongly influenced the history of Chinese civilization.Some scientists believe that Confucianism was the state religion of Imperial China.Confucian ideas were reflected in the culture of China.Mencius (4th century BC) believed that man has a dignity that must be cultivated to become a "good".Sun Tzu saw human nature as inherently evil, but that through self-discipline and self-improvement can be converted into a virtue.
Confucius did not intend to found a new religion, he only wanted to interpret and revive nameless religion Zhou Dynasty.The ancient system of religious rule has exhausted itself: Why the gods allow social problems and injustice?But if not spirits kind and nature, what is the basis for a stable, unified and lasting social order?Confucius believed that this is the basis for sound policy, implemented, however, Zhou religion, its rituals.He did not interpret these rituals as sacrifices to the gods, but as a ceremony that embody the civilized and cultural patterns of conduct.They embodied for him the ethical core of Chinese society.The term "ritual" included social rituals - courtesy and accepted norms of behavior - what we today call etiquette.Confucius believed that a civilized society can only have a stable and lasting order.Ancient Chinese philosophy, school of thought and follow the teachings of Confucianism have a lot.
Taoism Taoism - is:
1) school of philosophy based on the texts the Tao Te Ching (Lao-tzu) and Chuang-tzu;
2) Chinese folk religion.
"Tao" literally means "the way", but in religion and philosophy of China is the word took on a more abstract meaning.The philosophy of ancient China, a brief description of which is presented in this article, I learned a lot of ideas from this abstract and seemingly simple concept of the "path".
yin and yang and the five elements theory
not known exactly where the idea of the two principles of Yin and Yang, probably it originated in the era of ancient Chinese philosophy.Yin and Yang - two complementary principles, whose interaction forms a phenomenal all phenomena and changes in the space.Yang - the active principle, and Yin - passive.Additional elements, such as day and night, light and darkness, activity and passivity, masculine and feminine, and others are a reflection of Yin and Yang.Together, these two elements constitute the harmony, the harmony and the idea spread in medicine, arts, martial arts, and social life of China.Ancient Chinese philosophy, school of thought also have absorbed the idea.
concept of Yin-Yang is often associated with the theory of the five elements, which explains the natural and social phenomena as a result of the combination of five basic elements or agents of the cosmos: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.The philosophy of ancient China (briefly set out the most important thing in this article) certainly includes this concept.
Legalism
Legalism originates in the ideas of the Chinese philosopher Xun Zi (310-237 BC.), Who believed that ethical standards are needed to control the evil inclinations of man.Han Fei (280-233 BC.) Developed this concept in a pragmatic totalitarian political philosophy based on the principle that a person wants to avoid punishment and to achieve personal gain, as people are by nature selfish and evil.Thus, if people begin to freely exercise their natural inclination, it will lead to conflict and social problems.The governor must maintain their power with the help of three components:
1) the law or principle;
2) method, tactic, art;
3) legitimacy, power, charisma.
law should severely punish offenders and reward those who they should.Legalism was elected to the philosophy of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC.), United China for the first time.Unlike intuitive anarchy Taoism and Confucianism, Legalism virtue considers the requirements of the order is more important than others.The political doctrine developed in the cruel time of the fourth century BC.
Legist believe that the government should not be deceived by pious unattainable ideals of "tradition" and "humanity."According to them, trying to improve life in the country through education and ethical precepts are doomed to failure.Instead, people need a strong government and an elaborate code of laws, as well as in the police force, which would have required a strict and impartial compliance and severely punish offenders.The founder of the Qin Dynasty had placed these totalitarian principles of high expectations, considering that the reign of his dynasty will last forever.
Buddhism
philosophy of ancient India and China have a lot in common.Although Buddhism originated in India, it was of great importance in China.It is believed that Buddhism appeared in China during the Han Dynasty.About three hundred years later, during the reign of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420 gg.), He experienced an explosion in popularity.During these three hundred years, supporters of Buddhism were mostly newcomers, the nomadic people of the western region and Central Asia.
In a sense, Buddhism has never been adopted in China.At least, not in the form of a purely Indian.The philosophy of ancient India and China still has a lot of differences.Legends abound with stories of Indians, such as Bodhidharma, who planted the various forms of Buddhism in China, but they have little mention of those inevitable changes, which is subject to the doctrine when transferring it to foreign soil, especially on such a rich, which was the China of that timerespect of philosophical thought.
individual traits of Indian Buddhism were incomprehensible practical Chinese mind.With its tradition of asceticism, inherited from Hindu thought, Indian Buddhism could easily take the form of deferred compensation, as provided for in meditation (meditation now attain Nirvana later).
The Chinese, under the strong influence of tradition that encourages hard work and the satisfaction of the necessities of life, could not accept this and other practices that seemed weird and irrelevant to everyday life.But being a practical people, many of them have seen some good ideas of Buddhism in respect of both man and society.
eight princes war - a civil war between the princes and kings of the Jin Dynasty in the period from 291 306 years., During which the nomadic peoples of northern China, from Manchuria to the east of Mongolia, a large number have been included in the ranks of the mercenary troops.
Around the same time, the level of political culture of China decreased significantly, revived the teachings of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu, gradually adapted to Buddhist thought.Buddhism, which appeared in India, in China, took a completely different view.Take, for example, the concept of Nagarjuna.Nagarjuna (150-250 AD.), Indian philosopher, the most influential Buddhist thinker after the Gautama Buddha himself.Its main contribution to Buddhist philosophy was to develop the concept of sunyata (or "emptiness") as part of Buddhist metaphysics, epistemology, and phenomenology.After importing to China Sunyata concept was changed from "Void" to "Something exists" under the influence of traditional Chinese thought of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu.
Moizm
philosophy of ancient China (briefly) moizm based Mauzy philosopher (470-390 BC.), Who helped spread the idea of universal love, equality of all beings.Mauzy believed that the traditional concept is controversial, that human beings need the manual to determine which traditions are acceptable.In moizm morality is not determined by tradition, but rather relate to utilitarianism, striving for the good of the greatest number.In moizm believed that the government - a tool to provide such guidance and to promote and encourage social behavior, benefiting the largest number of people.Activities such as singing and dancing were considered a waste of resources that could be used to provide people with food and shelter.Moistov created their own highly organized political structure and lived modestly, leading an ascetic life, practicing their ideals.They were against any form of aggression and believed in the divine power of heaven (Tien), which punishes immoral behavior.
you learned that is the philosophy of ancient China (summary).For a more complete understanding suggest in more detail to get acquainted with each school separately.Features of the philosophy of ancient China were briefly outlined above.We hope that this material has helped you to understand the main points, and proved to be useful to you.
