Governing According to Confucianism Taoism and Legalism
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Governing According to Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism
Throughout Chinese history there have been different
approaches to governing. These approaches were the result
of different schools of thought such as the philosophies
of Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism.
The Confucian approach to governing consisted in
refusal to make distinction between public and private
life. The empire was a family at large and relations
between those in higher and lower class should act like a
family. Unlike the Legalist and the Taoists, Confucianism
prevailed because it combined and placed great importance
on both family and empire. Also unlike the Legalist,
Confucians did not embrace tyranny. They also did not
despair of human society like the Taoists.
The Legalist approach to governing was more violent and war-like, unlike Confucianism which stresses peacefulness and oneness with those you govern. To the Legalist, the will of the ruler was the law and anything the ruler said was morally right. It was the citizen's duty to be obedient to the ruler...