Exam 3: China in Antiquity
What were the major tenets of Confucianism,Legalism,and Daoism,and what role did each play in political and philosophical debates during the Zhou Dynasty? What innovative contributions to Chinese political,economic,and social development were made by the Zhou Dynasty? Give specific examples.
During the Zhou Dynasty, three major philosophical and political ideologies emerged: Confucianism, Legalism, and Daoism.
Confucianism emphasized the importance of moral values, social harmony, and the proper conduct of individuals in society. It promoted the idea of a virtuous ruler who leads by example and governs with benevolence and righteousness. Confucianism played a significant role in shaping the political and ethical debates during the Zhou Dynasty, as it provided a framework for good governance and social order.
Legalism, on the other hand, focused on strict laws and harsh punishments to maintain social order and control the behavior of the people. It advocated for a strong central authority and believed that people were inherently selfish and needed to be controlled through strict laws and regulations. Legalism played a role in the political debates of the Zhou Dynasty by influencing rulers to adopt authoritarian and punitive measures to maintain power and control.
Daoism, also known as Taoism, emphasized living in harmony with the natural order and the concept of "wu wei," or non-action. It promoted the idea of simplicity, spontaneity, and detachment from worldly desires. Daoism played a role in philosophical debates during the Zhou Dynasty by offering an alternative perspective on governance and advocating for a more peaceful and non-interventionist approach to ruling.
The Zhou Dynasty made several innovative contributions to Chinese political, economic, and social development. One of the most significant contributions was the establishment of a feudal system, which divided the kingdom into smaller territories ruled by nobles who owed allegiance to the king. This system helped in the decentralization of power and the promotion of local governance.
Another contribution was the development of a sophisticated bureaucracy and a system of writing, which facilitated communication and record-keeping. The Zhou Dynasty also introduced the use of iron tools and weapons, which led to advancements in agriculture, warfare, and trade.
Additionally, the Zhou Dynasty made significant contributions to social development by promoting the idea of filial piety and ancestor worship, which emphasized the importance of family and respect for elders. These values became deeply ingrained in Chinese society and influenced social norms and customs for centuries to come.
Overall, the Zhou Dynasty played a crucial role in shaping the political, economic, and social landscape of ancient China, and its contributions continue to influence Chinese culture and society to this day.
Ancient Chinese villages were organized on the basis of
C
The legendary "three sovereigns" of prehistoric China were
C
The first fully unified government in Chinese history was that of the
Identify the following terms.
-Legalism
"The Chinese follow Confucianism in public and Daoism in private." Discuss,pro and con.
The nature of gender relations was demonstrated in the Chinese written language,with the character for woman showing a person in a posture of deference and respect.
Did gender and class significantly influence one's life opportunities in ancient China? Would you have preferred to be a male or a female? Show why,giving examples.
Filters
- Essay(0)
- Multiple Choice(0)
- Short Answer(0)
- True False(0)
- Matching(0)