Confucianism and Daoism in Ancient China

 Introduction

In this post, I will be looking at two chapters from Awakening: An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought that focus on both the history and practices of Buddhism. This textbook, written by Patrick S. Bresnan, is meant to engage students with the deeply rich history, practices, religions, and cultures of multiple countries in the East. The text mainly focuses on India, China, and Japan, while simultaneously attempting to examine the relationship between Eastern and Western traditions.

Chapters 13 and 14 of the textbook cover the systems of Confucianism and Daoism within Ancient China, with chapter 13 focusing on Confucianism and chapter 14 focusing on Daoism. “But to fully understand the teaching of Confucius we must see it in its larger context...in the broad historical context out of which the Age of Confucius evolved”(Bresnan 301). This post will discuss two questions from the textbook, one from the end of each chapter, in order to achieve a better understanding of the various aspects of both Confucianism and Daoism, as well as their importance in shaping Ancient Chinese civilization. 

Confucianism

Question #1: The chapter begins with the statement that “Confucius gave to Chinese civilization a grand ideal for the ordering of society.” In general terms, what was this grand ideal? Do you agree that it was all that “grand”?

Life of Confucius
Artist Unknown
Late Qing dynasty (1644–1911)
Metropolitan Museum

The grand ideal given from Confucius to Chinese civilization was one that entailed a harmonious civilization in which the selfish nature of the individual would not go unchecked. “If followed perfectly, the Confucian system promised to fashion a society that would be harmonious, peaceful, prosperous, and governed by wise leaders dedicated to the welfare of all”(Bresnan 301). The Confucian system promised an ordering of society that would see every individual play an important role in civilization, while simultaneously establishing harmo
ny between human nature and natural order. 

In general, I would say that I agree that Confucius’s ideals were grand. So grand that I would argue that imperfections were bound to occur within the Confucian system. What Confucius had outlined was a system that would counteract the negative aspects of human nature through natural order, making for a society of individuals who all demonstrate refinement and compassion. In Confucius’s system, every piece works perfectly together. His ideals were extremely ambitious and would inspire Chinese social thinking for many years. For these reasons, I would argue that Confucius’s ideals were grand. 

Daoism

Question #2:Why do you think the Daoists were so passionately opposed to the Confucian system? What especially did they dislike about it? 

Daoist Immortal
Artist Unknown
Five Dynasties period (907–60)
Metropolitan Museum

Daoists did not agree with the Confucian system, to say the least. The teachings of Daoism were, in-part, a reaction to the teaching of Confucius. “On the surface, at least, Daoism seems to be the very antithesis of Confucianism. You’ll see what I mean by this as we go along”(Bresnan 335). While Confucius and Daoists both could come to a consensus on the fact that human society should live in perfect harmony with natural order, they would ultimately disagree with how this should be achieved.

Daoists especially took issue with the Confucian system, feeling that it not only failed to restore man to his natural state, but in many ways made things much worse. “The simple, natural life that the Daoists cherished was seen to be smothered in the complex, highly formalized was of the Confucian system”(Bresnan 339). The structure of the Confucian system did not at all appeal to the beliefs of the Daoists and for this reason they could not bring themselves to agree with the Confucian system.

Below is a video from Khan Academy going into depth about the timeline of Confucianism

Work Cited

Bresnan, Patrick S. AWAKENING : An Introduction to the History of Eastern Thought. 

S.L., Routledge, 2021.

Khan Academy. “Confucius and Confucianism.” YouTube, 27 Feb. 2017, 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPQ6GB822x4.

Metmuseum.org, 2021, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/53201.

Metmuseum.org, 2020, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/38119.

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