Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism Flashcards
Which statement best describes the political conditions of the Warring States period?
- The Zhou dynasty became more powerful and was able to put down the rebel states.
- The Warring States period is known for its peace and prosperity.
- Feudal states competed for power, leading to constant warfare, violence, and turmoil.
- Many Chinese people were forced out of their country and fled to nearby India.
3
Confucian teachings emphasize filial piety. This is the practice of…
respecting one’s elders
According to Confucianism, people should act
with honor and follow the laws of the government
Confucian philosophy expects rulers and teachers to
lead by example
The teachings of Confucianism emphasize
social order
The concept of Tao is defined as
the way
According to Taoism, people should follow the flow of
nature
Taoism is not concerned with
the government
An important concept of Taoism is
to balance yin and yang
Which statement best represents the teachings of Legalism?
- According to Legalism, the ruler should be kind to people and treat them with respect.
- Legalism emphasizes moral behavior, virtue, and ethics.
- Legalism relies on the use of strict laws and harsh punishments to control people’s behavior.
- According to Legalism, citizens should be able to elect leaders who represent their morals and values.
3
How is Legalism different from Confucianism?
- Confucianism is not concerned with behavior, while Legalism emphasizes following orders.
- Legalism teaches that rulers should lead by example, while Confucianism does not focus on the government.
- Confucianism emphasizes moral conduct and virtue, while Legalism emphasizes obedience to laws.
- Legalism focuses on obedience to laws, while Confucianism is centered on nature and following the way.
3
Do not exalt the worthy,
and the people will not compete.
Do not value goods that are hard to come by,
and the people will not steal.
Do not display objects of desire,
and the people’s minds will not be disturbed.
–Tao Te Ching,
Laozi
What is the main idea of the passage?
- People want things that have value. Take away the value, and people will not want them.
- People should compete for things that are considered worthy.
- People should steal goods that are valuable. If people want something, they should get it.
- People’s minds are always disturbed. This disturbance makes people unable to make good decisions.
1
The Master said, “Wealth and honor are what people desire, but one should not abide in them if it cannot be done in accordance with the [Tao] Way. Poverty and lowliness are what people dislike, but one should not avoid them if it cannot be done in accordance with the [Tao] Way. . . .”
The Master said, “The noble person is concerned with rightness; the small person is concerned with profit.”
–The Analects of Confucius
Read the passage from The Analects of Confucius. What is the author’s main message?
People should focus on living right, not on being rich or avoiding poverty.
If people live in accordance with the teaching of Confucius, then they will be rich.
People should be concerned with profits, not rightness.
Only wealthy people can be noble, because nobility comes from wealth and honor.
People should focus on living right, not on being rich or avoiding poverty.
What effect did Confucianism have on imperial China?
- Imperial China’s political structure, which emphasized strict laws and harsh punishments, came from Confucianism.
- The legacy of Confucianism can be seen in imperial China’s emphasis on wealth and status.
- Respecting parents and remaining in one’s social class were important values of Confucianism that influenced Imperial China.
- Imperial China’s emphasis on social advancement and promotion came from Confucianism.
3
The Qin dynasty relied on
strict laws to control the people
