Ancient China: Philosophical Traditions

Legalism (fa jia) is a label applied since the second century B.C.E. to a group of Chinese thinkers of the Warring States period (453–221 B.C.E.). The label is doubly misleading: first, because the thinkers concerned did not necessarily consider themselves members of a unified intellectual current, much less a common school of thought; and second, because the notion of law (fa), albeit important, is by no means central in the thought of all these thinkers. Legalism is thus not a scientific category but rather a scholarly convention.

Han Fei Tzu (ca. 280-233 BC) was a Chinese statesman and philosopher and one of the main formulators of Chinese Legalist philosophy.

Li Si (c. 280-208 b.c.e.), Chinese official in the service of the state of Qin who rose to the rank of prime minister of the Qin dynasty in 214 b.c.e.. A student of Xunzi, Li Si, like his fellow student and rival Han Feizi, later rejected Confucianism in favor of a strict Legalist doctrine. As prime minister, he was associated with the notorious "burning of books and burial of scholars" of 213 b.c.e. and with the building of the Great Wall. In the confusion following the death of the emperor Qin Shihuangdi in 210 b.c.e., he was accused of treason; he was executed two years later.

Daoism (also commonly Romanized as "Taoism") is a philosophical and religious belief system, which originated in China. It centers on the cosmology of the Dao, which plays an important role in many Chinese philosophical schools. Daoism is one of the oldest religions in China, with roots stretching back to the nation's prehistory. Many people also consider Daoism to be a collective term for the various indigenous and folk practices in China, although proponents of the more organized Daoist schools have tried to distance themselves from that definition. Nevertheless, Daoism is currently recognized as one of the five official religions of the People's Republic of China, as well as Taiwan. It is also widely practiced elsewhere in the world, but particularly in East Asia, which has strong Chinese influences.

In English, "Venerable Master" or "Old Master." An honorific title for a mysterious Chinese philosopher and Daoist (Taoist) sage, supposed author of the Daode Jing (Tao Te Ching in English: "The Classic of The Way and Virtue"), venerated as the deity known as Taishang laojun (Tai-shang Lao-Chün, in English "Highest Venerable Lord") or Huanglao jun (Huang Lao-Chün, in English "Yellow Venerable Lord") by the adherents of Daoism (Taoism), lived apparently in the period circa 500–400 B.C. during the Zhou (Chou) Dynasty

Confucianism (ruxue or rujiao) is a complex and multifaceted philosophy that foregrounds the moral relationships of individuals or groups in a societal context, regulated by propriety (li). It has had a profound influence on Chinese sociopolitical systems, worldviews, ethics, education, religions, conventions, individual and community life, and scholarly traditions since around the sixth or fifth century BCE. Based on the teachings of Confucius (Kong Qiu, 551–479 BCE) and his disciples, as recorded in the Analects (Lunyu), Confucianism was established as the state orthodoxy during the Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) and has dominated the development of Chinese civilization, shaping the political and personal lives of Chinese people.

Supreme sage and teacher, whose ideas had a profound impact on Chinese civilization.

c. 551 b.c. Born into an aristocratic family of very modest means
c. 532 b.c. Married and fathered a son and possibly a daughter; son died while Confucius was still alive
c. 502-492 b.c. Held an important government post
c. 492-482 b.c. Gathered students and wandered about visiting many feudal states
c. 482-479 b.c. Settled down to continue his literary studies and teach his disciples
c. 479 b.c. Died