How did Shih Huangdi weaken aristocrats power?

Transcription

1 Ready at the bell, notebook and SIR Card on desk. HW picked up in 3, 2, 1. Notebook heading: Date: 09/12/2013 Topic: Religions continued Unit Question: How do the past and present interact? How did feudalism work? How did it contribute to the downfall of dynasties? How did Shih Huangdi weaken aristocrats power? Huang imperial Di ruler Huangdi emperor Shi Huangdi first emperor Qin She Huang Compare and Contrast the rule of the Chin (Ch in Qin) and Han Dynasties. ancient Xia Dynasty B.C.E. Shang Dynasty B.C.E. Zhou Dynasty B.C.E. imperial Qin Dynasty B.C.E. Han Dynasty 206 B.C.E. 220 C.E. 1

2 Chinese Philosophies: Solutions to political breakdown Focus on life and how it should be lived There is debate about the classification of Confucianism as a religion or a philosophy. Many attributes common among religions such as ancestor worship, ritual, and sacrifice apply to the practice of Confucianism; however, the religious features found in Confucian texts can be traced to traditional non-confucian Chinese beliefs (Chinese folk religion). The position adopted by some is that Confucianism is a moral science or philosophy. The problem clearly depends on how one defines religion. Since the 1970s scholars have attempted to assess the religious status of Confucianism without assuming a definition based on the Western model. Do not do unto others what you would not want others to do to you. 2

3 忠君孝亲 zhong jun xiao qin "be loyal to the sovereign and honor one's parents" Chinese Philosophies: Solutions to political breakdown Focus on life and how it should be lived Daoism (Taoism): Emphasized living in harmony with nature Rejected formal societal structures Laozi s teachings People should renounce worldly ambitions Follow nature the Dao the Way universal force that guides all things Influenced Chinese arts Dao does nothing, and yet it accomplishes everything Resembles the cavity of a pot or the hub of a wheel: although they are nothing more than empty spaces, they make the pot and the wheel useful tools 3

4 Daoism vs. Confucianism: Daoist were the most prominent critics of Confucianism Considered it pointless to waste time and energy on problems that defied solution Devoted to reflection and introspection Attempted to understand the natural principles that governed the world Harmony would come to society when people stopped meddling with what they could not control or understand Daoist Poem: The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Dao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. Ying and Yang: Yin cool, dark, female, and submissive Yang warm, light, male, and aggressive Everything has both elements Harmony came from balance Helped reconcile differing ideas Daoism and Confucianism Legalism: Opposition to Confucian ideas Rejected learning by understanding Strict laws and harsh punishments Favored by many nobles Became official policy of the Qin Dynasty Reflected in the harsh treatment of peasants To govern the state by law is to praise the right and blame the wrong. Legalist Doctrine: Foundations of a state s strength: agriculture and armed forces Channeled as many as possible into cultivation and military service other work did not direct advance the interests of the state If people feared to commit small crimes, they would hesitate all the more before committing great crimes Harsh penalties for minor infractions: amputation of hands/feet for disposing of ashes or trash in the street Collective Responsibility: Legalists expected all members of a family or community to observe the others closely, forestall any illegal activity, and report any infractions Failing those obligations, all members of a family or community were liable to punishment along with the actual violator Principles of government did not make them popular Legalist methods put an end to the Period of Warring States in China and brought about unification 4

5 Animism: from Latin anima "soul, life" Belief that non human entities have souls Animals and plants Objects such as rocks Spirits play an important role in regulating daily life Spirits can take the form of souls of their dead ancestors Present in many primitive societies and developing civilizations (common to numerous African nations) Connections to many other belief systems No exclusive symbols (the spirit house is a common element) Greco Roman Philosophy Did not look to gods for ethical guidance saw afterlife as an open question Did not think gods had anything to do with it Stoicism service to the state and community is the highest calling Emphasized logic and nature of political power/hierarchy Clearly we are dealing with religion, what other categories have we found evidence of today? Political Institutions Religion Culture Economic Social 5