The Debates of the Hundred Philosophical Schools

The Debates of the Hundred Philosophical Schools

Era

The exact era of the beginning of the debates of the 100 philosophical schools is not quite known but according to Safra in the Encyclopedia Britannica it began in sixth century BC and ended in the third BC (Warring States Period). However ultimately it appears to have ended in 221 BC. The era in which the hundred debates were most popular in however was during the Warring States period. The warring states were six to seven small feuding Chinese kingdoms. It became the most fertile and influential upon Chinese History and characterized much of later Chinese culture. What appears to be the most important part of Chinese philosophy is that of humanism or how man interacts with society, however this isn’t to state that man is more important than nature. Rather that nature/heaven is more powerful than man, however the most influential parts that man has is interaction with their society (Chinese Philosophy).

Notable people

The most notable people of the hundred debates were either scholars or government officials who would travel between each feudal kingdom (Yu-Lan 132-169). Their schools were in response to practical conditions and were the result of many years of serious thinking.. Because there was no central government this is what allowed creativity and so many ideas to flourish in Chinese thought (Safra Warring States). These debates had as much as an impact upon Chinese culture as did the philosophers of the Greeks had upon the western world. The hundred debates carved much of Chinese’ philosophy and would ultimately shape the future of much of Chinese Culture itself. The hundred debates were notably to shape every aspect of Chinese culture because they didn’t only talked about their philosophies on ways of living; but they talked on culture, governmental structures, the mandate of heaven(extremely popular in china), strategies of war, agriculture, and the list is endless.

Main Schools

It saw the rise of different schools of thought but most notably: Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism would remain a large part of later Chinese Philosophy. However the two most influential schools would actually be incorporated into Taoism and much of Chinese culture. The schools were the yin-yang school and the five elements school. The five elements school would notably become a major part of Chinese medicine. Two schools that were extremely popular and that rivaled Confucianism during this era were the schools of Yangism and Mohism. Parts of Yangism would later be incorporated into Taoism. However both schools would later be forgotten for a period of time until there was historical evidence. Because the hundred debates ended with much of the works of the works of the schools being destroyed there is much to the philosophies that may either be missing if not entire schools which would later become forgotten.

Confucianism

Confucianism (Chinese philosophy) is one of the most influential of all the philosophies. In this philosophy is aimed at the way of man, of tradition, and virtue. Although the idea didn’t originate with Confucius, they still believed heavily in the mandate of heaven. While the exact definition of the mandate of heaven is up to debate as far as Confucianism belief, it appears to be that the rulers are given power by the heavens themselves and as such are the rightful rulers. However a ruler can lose the mandate of heaven by not living a good moral life.

Key parts of Confucianism belief are rites/rituals or Li was basically every part of the rites from grand state ceremonies to the proper way to walk or fasten one’s lapel. Each of these was extremely important to a scholar of Confucius and all were equally important. One would have to have very well disciplined and knowledgeable in their following of etiquette. Part of the reason these were so important though is because they connected one directly to the tradition of their ancestry. In being that Confucianism believed so heavily in tradition they also believed in filial piety or heavy respect for one’s elderly and the ancestors. Confucius scholars love culture and music as well.

Humanism or Ren was also extremely important and is the most base of human virtue for a Confucius scholar. It is basically how one interacts and deals with other people and involves treating them in a moral way. Mencius who is the most notable Confucius scholar during this period appears to believe that men are born virtuous and their environment is what makes them unmoral.

Taoism

Taoism which also is an extremely important philosophy flourished during this time period. Taoism felt that man should be more accepting and yielding of nature and as such shouldn’t really “try” to make a good culture as any attempt would lead one further away from truth or the way. As strange as it may sound Taoism believed one should not educate people and that the simpler one would be is that the way would be closer to nature. They would also be easier to be pleased because ultimately someone with a lot of knowledge is harder to please. Taoism believed that people should be one with nature and it appears that the ideas of Yangism whereby people should be self-concerned as opposed to being in connection with society that is so influential of other philosophies, most notably Confucianism would have a direct impact upon Taoism which would later adopt this philosophy. Although not to the extent that a Yangist is self-concerned, they still believed in living the life of a hermit. Their life of a hermit was in direct correlation with the later religious belief where one should be one with nature and shouldn’t be a part of society. Taoism believes heavily in the way or that which appears to permeate all of life. A Taoist way of looking at the matter is that the way can’t be described and once it is described, one loses the way. An idea of this is that once the way was lost, religion was born, and then civilization was born. Taoism has many paradoxes which ultimately lead to the philosophy being ambiguous and extremely vague, however it is noted that these paradoxes help one become rather intelligent.

Legalism

Legalism which is the last of the most important Chinese philosophies which although wasn’t very popular during the hundred debates would actually become the main philosophy of the Qin dynasty which would result in the destruction of the hundred debates. Legalism was originated by Lord Shang Yang. He ultimately believed that humans were fundamentally flawed and evil in nature. As such law and legal systems were needed to control mankind. Everyone was subservient to the ruler who had the mandate of heaven. The laws were supposed to be extremely strict and once the legal system was in place it would make society perfect and in a way “save the world”. To a legalist no books were needed, only laws because people would only need the laws. Fa which is law is ultimately the backbone of legalism the laws must be clearly stated and readable so that people can easily follow the laws which ultimately makes society predictable. The ruler must also be secretive about his ways because of mankind’s evil nature. Lastly the ruler is all powerful and there is a hierarchical structure throughout the rest of society.

Mohism

The last two important philosophies of the hundred debates and were most notable during this time were Mohism and Yangism. To give an idea of how important Mohism was during this time is that it was a direct rival of Confucianism. Mohism believed in impartial care or that one should love everyone equally, regardless of filial piety. Mencius noted that this was ultimately impossible because logically someone loves their family more. However despite their view for impartial care Mozi which was the founder of Mohism was extremely strict in his beliefs and had very harsh punishments for those who broke the doctrine. He believed in a system similar to legalism in that everyone should be subservient to the rulers/laws and have unquestioning obedience to them. Mozi supposedly relied heavily upon the ways of ancient kings and also felt that people should be rewarded on the concept of righteousness and that this should influence the majority of society.

Yangism

The last idea which is near the exact opposite of Mohism is Yangism. A yangist scholar emphasized individuality to an extreme level. Critics of Yangism argue that this leads to an extremely lawless society. One such critic, Mencius argues that Yang Shu (Founder of Yangism) wouldn’t pluck a hair if it would save the world. Yangism however didn’t survive through the Qin dynasty and remained unknown for a while following Qin’s destruction, it appears the longest of any of the current known philosophies. These were the main philosophical schools of the Chinese culture during the hundred debates. Ultimately the schools were very strict of their own school and they considered anything outside of their own doctrine is wrong. They believed all of the other philosophers must be wrong and as such were accused of only looking at their own philosophy and not looking at the whole picture(Yu-Lan). Ultimately however much of these philosophies were later lost following the destruction of the Qin Dynasty. The hundred debates were the most influential upon Chinese history in all of known Chinese history.

Sources

Bibliography

• Ivanhoe, Phillip, and Brian Norden. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. 2. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Compnay, 2005. Print.
• Safra, Jacob. "Warring States period. Chinese Philosophy. Daoism. Confucianism." Encyclopedia Britannica. 15. Chicago: Britannica, 2010. Print. <britannica.com>.
• Yu-Lan, Fung. A History of Chinese Philosophy. 1. Princeton: Princeton Paperback Printing, 1983. 132-169. Print.

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