Overview
This lecture compares early Confucian and Daoist (Taoist) philosophies, focusing on their approaches to social order, personal conduct, and their coexistence in ancient China.
Confucianism: Public Moral Commitment
- Early Confucian philosophers advocated for public moral commitment to maintain stability at all levels of society.
- Confucianism emphasized organizing society through moral codes and active engagement.
Daoism: Harmony Through Withdrawal
- Daoist philosophers argued people should withdraw from society and live peacefully in harmony with the universe.
- Daoism shares similarities with Greek Stoicism in seeking alignment with a transcendent principle.
- The Dao (Tao) is an indefinable, invisible principle underlying all reality.
Core Teachings of Daoism
- Daoism is a set of teachings about the best way to live, not a religion.
- Its roots may lie in ancient Chinese beliefs about spirits and nature.
- The earliest Daoist scripture dates from at least the 4th century BCE and is linked to Laozi.
- Daoism criticizes human-made distinctions such as laws, moral codes, and aesthetics.
- Daoists believe people should stop judging and imposing standards on others.
Living According to the Dao
- Daoism teaches to "untangle the knots of life," reduce pain, and avoid unnecessary problems.
- The best life is peaceful, pleasant, and lived in accordance with nature, not human will.
- Avoid trying to control or change reality based on human distinctions.
Yin and Yang: Balance of Opposites
- All phenomena exist in relationship, including opposites like darkness/light and good/evil.
- Yin and yang are complementary forces necessary for harmony.
- Goodness and evil are natural, coexisting realities.
Social Responsibility and Criticism
- Daoists argued that intervening in life leads to conflict, so people should minimize interference.
- Taoist masters criticized Confucians for excessive efforts to manage society.
- Confucians, in turn, accused Daoists of neglecting social responsibility.
Blending and Coexistence of Philosophies
- There was no hostility between Confucians and Daoists even though they disagreed.
- In practice, elements of both philosophies blended in Chinese cultural life.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Dao (Tao) — The invisible, indefinable principle underlying reality and all phenomena.
- Daoism (Taoism) — A philosophy teaching harmony with the Dao and withdrawal from artificial distinctions.
- Yin and Yang — Opposing forces that together create balance and harmony in the universe.
- Confucianism — A philosophy advocating active moral engagement and societal organization.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the basic differences between Confucianism and Daoism.
- Reflect on the concept of yin and yang and its implications for understanding opposites.
- Prepare questions on how these philosophies coexist and influence Chinese culture.