Ethical Systems

Question 1

Confucianism- how to reach/maintain harmony

Answer 1

• Based on 5 basic relationships
• Filial piety- respect for parents and elders
• Follow rituals, have virtue to ensure social order
• Live in harmony with other people

Question 2

Daoism- how to reach/maintain harmony

Answer 2

• Goal of life: to achieve harmony with the natural order
• Natural order is more important than the social order
• Humans should live simply and in harmony with nature
• Become one with the Tao
• Let “the way” guide you

Question 3

Buddhism- how to reach/maintain harmony

Answer 3

• Follow the Eightfold Path to reach nirvana
• The Four Noble Truths
• Enlightenment
• Live in harmony with your mind- peace/create your own happiness

Question 4

Confucianism- feelings about government

Answer 4

• Follow same virtues- lead by virtue
• Everyone has their roles to play- government is the most important role
• Goodness spreads
• Working for government = successful

Question 5

Daoism- feelings about government

Answer 5

Against government- teaches the wrong way to live

Question 6

Buddhism- feelings about government

Answer 6

Rejects the caste system

Question 7

Confucianism- founder

Answer 7

Confucius

Question 8

Daoism- founder

Answer 8

Laozi (Lao Tsu)

Question 9

Buddhism- founder

Answer 9

Siddhartha

Question 10

Confucianism- education and learning (steps to success)

Answer 10

• Pass civil service exam

* Education is the way to become a gentlemen and to bring honor to your family

Question 11

Daoism- education and learning (steps to success)

Answer 11

• Become one with nature
• Don’t try, just do
• Don’t overdo something
• Act spontaneously
• Don’t strive to become anything- just be

Question 12

Buddiusm- education and learning (steps to success)

Answer 12

• Accept the Four Noble Truths
• Follow the Eightfold Path
• Live life in moderation

Question 13

Daoism- book

Answer 13

Tao (Dao) te Ching

Question 14

Confucianism- book

Answer 14

Confucian Analects

Question 15

How did Confucianism apply to Chinese government?

Answer 15

• Social class distinctions because harmony is based on the balance of different roles
• People should behave according to their role (gender, class, age, etc) or else chaos
• Ability determines social standing (talented=advance in society)

Question 16

How to become one with the Tao?

Answer 16

• Learn the ways of the natural world
• Shape actions to emulate nature
• Reject Confucian idea of social rules
• Accept that a universal force guides all things
• Let nature be ultimate teacher
• Do not try to describe the Tao- just experience it

Question 17

Confucianism- men vs women

Answer 17

• Men superior
• Women good for marriage and continuing family
• Men responsible for honor ancestors- rituals/sacrifices

Question 18

Daoism- men vs women

Answer 18

• Yin=women
• Yang=men
• Men/women are different but they are equal/ balanced - harmony is crucial

Question 19

Buddhism- men vs women

Answer 19

• Reluctantly accepted women- they were distracting

* No big differences between them

Question 20

Confucianism- terms/concepts/words

Answer 20

• Filial piety
• 5 fundamental relationships
• Bureaucracy (highly educated group in government)
• Virtue

Question 21

Daoism- terms/concepts/words

Answer 21

• The Dao= the way
• Yin/Yang
• Nature
• Meditate/observe nature
• The art of doing nothing

Question 22

Buddhism- terms/concepts/words

Answer 22

• Enlightenment
• Four Noble Truths
• Nirvana
• Eightfold Path / Middle Way
• Meditate
• Karma, reincarnation
• Dharma