The two main Chinese philosophies are Confucianism and Daoism. Both of these philosophies have been influential in Chinese thought for thousands of years.
Confucianism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the sage Confucius (551-479 BCE). Confucius taught that human beings should seek to live a moral and ethical life based on the values of loyalty, respect, honesty and virtue. He believed that humans should strive to cultivate a strong sense of social responsibility. He placed great emphasis on family and loyalty, and he argued that political stability was only possible if people followed the Five Cardinal Virtues: humaneness (ren), respect (shu), frugality (scholarship (xiu) and trustworthiness (xin). These teachings were based on the concept of “ren”—which referred to the cultivation of one’s character and treating others with respect.
Daoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the teachings of Lao Tzu (604-531 BCE). It emphasizes living in harmony with nature and the world around us, through a concept known as “wu-wei”, meaning “non-action”. Daoists believe that one should strive to be in harmony with the universe and to act spontaneously, without any predetermined plans or actions. The key tenet of Daoism is that humans should strive to achieve balance and harmony in their lives. According to the Dao, we must “go with the flow” of life, rather than trying to force our own will upon it.
Confucianism and Daoism have both had a lasting impact on Chinese culture and society. They emphasize different aspects of life, but are united by the idea of cultivating a harmonious lifestyle in order to promote human flourishing. These two philosophies also share many ideas, such as the importance of self-cultivation and the idea that human beings should strive to live according to certain principles. However, they do differ significantly in terms of how they view the world. Whereas Confucianism emphasizes the need for an orderly society and a hierarchical structure, Daoism focuses on living in harmony with the universe and letting it guide one’s actions.