China's philosophies: Legalism, Daoism, and Confucianism, along with an explanation of how China influenced Japan.

Introduction

China was one of the first civilizations to become an empire in history. Like Alexander the Great, Qin Shi Huangdi established the first empire in the East which makes him the first emperor of China. In Qin Shi Huangdi's reign, he laid down the law on stones in various parts of his empire on behalf of the influence of the philosopher Han Feizi who called himself a legalist. Besides Legalism which characterizes the reign of Qin Shi Huangdi, there were two other philosophies present in China by this time, Daoism and Confucianism. There will be a thorough description of each of the three philosophies that stemmed from China: Legalism, Daoism, and Confucianism, along with an explanation of how China influenced Japan.

Body

Confucius, a well educated gentlemen, philosopher and a political adviser from Shandong mastered the six arts of ritual, music, artery, chariot driving, calligraphy, and arithmetic.

NASA Satellite Image of Japan Captured March 11, 2...

Japan Fisheries cooperative

First emperor of China Qin Shi Huang, from zh wiki...

Confucianism was a philosophy founded by Confucius who lived from 551-479 B.C.E Confucius taught that good government depended on good officials. Based on Confucius philosophy, good officials had to be men of jen, or men of humanity, benevolence, virtue, and culture. This idea of a good official is true today, without good leadership there is little or no success. Confucianism stressed the importance of the essential goodness and education of each individual. Disciples of Confucianism believed in the centrality of the "gentlemen" (Junzi). Confucius himself did not believe gentlemen were born but instead he believed gentlemen were made through proper education. This quote emphasizes that idea; "I am not one who was born with knowledge; I am one who loves the past and is diligent in seeking it." (pg. 206) To Confucius, gentlemen were men of jen. This meant that man must love humanity, show respect and goodness, and be...