Thursday, October 10, 2019
Legalism, Taoism and Confucianism Essay
All three most influential philosophical schools of thought i.e. legalism, Taoism and Confucianism originate from the same tenet of peace and accord in the Chinese society in particular and in world in general. But their methodologies and philosophical routes to achieve this objective are different. Legalism suggest a strong and central political body as remedy for all the maladies of contemporary Chinese society whereas Taoism and Confucianism do not favor a strong political entity  and reinforce the ideas of individual freedom and social cohesion.            The doctrine of legalism believes that strict laws and punitive measures are preconditions for a strong central government that can bring peace and prosperity in the society. This doctrine is based on the assumption that human nature is irredeemably malicious and is prone to produce conflicts. These conflicts harm the social cohesion and generate panic and disorder in the community. That is the reason that strong laws and punishments can make them (people) in alignment with needs of the political entity.            In total contrast to Legalism, Taoism and Confucianism are of the view that human nature is constituted of moral virtues. Taoism was directly opposed to the tenets of Legalism and believed in a close association between man and nature. They further reinforce that nature is virtuous in essence and intend at achieving greater unity and universal organization. They view man-made laws as artificial and transient that has limited life. So Taoist are against Legalism and believed that these were fabricated to serve the vested interest of the rulers and they have nothing to do with the common good of the people. This basic difference between the philosophical principles leads the Taoist to rebel against the established social patterns as they considered it a tool to perpetuate the regime of the despotic rulers.            Confucianism is considered a rationalization of these two extremes i.e. legalism and Taoism. Confucianism neither believed in the idea of harsh punishments, impersonal laws and inhuman rules toward the mass nor it gave approval to absolute individual freedom of thought and action as it would lead to utter anarchy. Confucianism adopted an equidistant approach between the two extremes and propagated a philosophy based on the beautiful combination of individual needs and social needs. Confucianism served as a balance between the extreme centralization of power and subjugation of masses as embodied in Legalism and the utter chaos created by the absolute individualistic approach of Taoism.            Legalism was an advanced political system whereas Taoism was inclined toward primitivism. Taoism reinforced the idea of a personal and individual reaction to the mundane and complex social problems. According to its basic precept of Tao (way), human nature can find its own way out of many. So it negated the formulated laws and established social patterns. Subjective judgments were made according to the needs of the occasions. Mostly these judgments were based on the ancient teachings and traditional principles with outsized personal discretion. In complete contrast to Taoism, Legalism established a complete code of laws and they (Legalists) were strictly adhered to these laws. Instead of personal discretion or subjective interpretation, judgments were made according to written laws. This characteristic of Legalism made it the most advanced philosophy of ancient China as compared with Taoism.            In contrast to abovementioned ways, Confucianism suggested another way i.e. to get social harmony through social cohesion of individuals with the society itself. It took care of individuals’ needs as well as the socio-political needs. To Confucius, society was not a mere collection of individual but is has other internal and external dimensions. Internally, it is the substantial device that moulds our beliefs and attitudes while on the external horizon, it exerts and maintains pressures from the society to facilitate conformity to the above-mentioned collective beliefs and attitudes. Confucius perceived society as a separate and distinguished unit. It is an entity independent of individuals. This argument clearly manifests that social facts i.e. norms, values and institutions, have their independent existence and are not sustained by individual actions but individuals react to them. Confucius also suggests that individual desires are cravings are unlimited and individual hankers after more and more. This natural insatiability produces individual propensities in humans. In order to control these propensities society works as a regulative force. Frederick Cheung has comprehensively summed up the differences and similarities in the doctrines of these major philosophies of Chinese history in this way; If we compare and contrast the three schools of thoughts on â€Å"individual freedom and control;†we would find that Taoism was extremely free, while Legalism was extremely strict (a kind of totalitarian control) with Confucianism in the middle (the golden means or moderation). On political theory and concepts of progress, Legalism was the most advanced and directing to the future; while Taoism was reactionary and returning to the primitive nature; with again Confucianism in the middle. Indeed, moderation and balance were perhaps the major reasons for the eventual triumph of Confucianism in traditional Chinese history. (p.3) References Cheung, Frederick. (2006). The Legacy of Ancient China: The Intellectual Foundations  Legalism, Taoism, and Confucianism. The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Website:
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