Level 31
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Ancient Philosophy

Classical Chinese Philosophy

An exploration of the Hundred Schools of Thought that flourished amid the collapse of Zhou authority, from Confucius's vision of ethical self-cultivation to the competing visions of Daoism, Mohism, and Legalism on how human beings should live and be governed.

60-Second Review

Express review

A condensed, point-by-point summary of the module, for reviewing right before a test or exam.

  1. Confucius: Ren, Li, and the Exemplary Person. Amid the Zhou dynasty's collapse, Confucius taught Ren, Li, the Junzi ideal, rectified names, and filial piety.
  2. Mencius and the Innate Goodness of Human Nature. Mencius held human nature innately good, rooted in Four Sprouts and a Heaven-sanctioned duty to govern justly.
  3. Xunzi and the Confucian Debate on Human Nature. Xunzi held human nature bad, requiring ritual and education, sharpening Confucianism's internal debate.
  4. Laozi and the Way of the Daodejing. The Daodejing teaches the ineffable Dao, effortless wu wei, natural ziran, and minimal government.
  5. Zhuangzi: Relativism, Freedom, and Spontaneity. Zhuangzi explored relativism, the butterfly dream, and radical personal freedom beyond social convention.
  6. Mozi, the School of Names, and Yang Zhu. Mozi urged impartial care and utility; the School of Names and Yang Zhu explored logic and self-interest.
  7. Legalism and the Yin-Yang School. Han Feizi's Legalism of law, technique, and power shaped Qin's unification, and its swift collapse.
  8. Han Syncretism and the Rise of Neo-Confucianism. Han syncretism and Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism, via Zhu Xi and Wang Yangming, reshaped Confucian thought.

This module continues after "Hellenistic and Roman Philosophy" in the syllabus. If you haven't reviewed it yet, it may help set the context.

Key points

Visual module map

1Confucius: Ren, Li, and the Exemplary Person
2Xunzi and the Confucian Debate on Human Nature
3Zhuangzi: Relativism, Freedom, and Spontaneity
4Mozi, the School of Names, and Yang Zhu
5Han Syncretism and the Rise of Neo-Confucianism

Alternative visual view: a simplified sequence of some of the module's key points, in their order within the syllabus.

Your module mastery

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Approximate breakdown by skill
Understanding of historiographical debate0%

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Final test

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Optional mini-games

Extra practice, with no penalty, to reinforce the module's content.

Review Flashcards

Review each key point with cards that flip to reveal the summary.

Memory

Match each concept with its definition in as few attempts as possible.

Time Attack

Answer true or false statements before time runs out.

Chronological Order

Put the module's key points back in their original order.

Further reading

Bibliography and cited sources used to create this module.

  • Graham, A.C. (1989). Disputers of the Tao: Philosophical Argument in Ancient China. Chicago: Open Court.
  • Watson, Burton (trans.) (1968). The Complete Works of Zhuangzi. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • Watson, Burton (trans.) (1963). Mozi: Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • Watson, Burton (trans.) (1963). Xunzi: Basic Writings. New York: Columbia University Press.
  • Ivanhoe, Philip J. and Van Norden, Bryan W. (eds.) (2005). Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy (2nd ed.). Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing.
  • Schwartz, Benjamin I. (1985). The World of Thought in Ancient China. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
  • Lau, D.C. (trans.) (1979). Confucius: The Analects. London: Penguin Classics.