three major philosophical schools, Confucianism, daoism, and Legalism

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Legalism , Taoism and Confucianism

Legalism , Taoism and Confucianism

All three most influential philosophical schools of thought i .e legalism , Taoism and Confucianism originate from the same tenet of peace and accord in the Chinese society in particular and in world in general But their methodologies and philosophical routes to achieve this objective are different . Legalism suggest a strong and central political body as remedy for all the maladies of contemporary Chinese society whereas Taoism and Confucianism do not favor a strong political entity and reinforce the ideas of individual

freedom and social cohesion

The doctrine of legalism believes that strict laws and punitive measures are preconditions for a strong central government that can bring peace and prosperity in the society . This doctrine is based on the assumption that human nature is irredeemably malicious and is prone to produce conflicts . These conflicts harm the social cohesion and generate panic and dis in the community . That is the reason that strong laws and punishments can make them (people ) in alignment with needs of the political entity

In that human nature is constituted of moral virtues . Taoism was directly opposed to the tenets of Legalism and believed in a close association between man and nature . They further reinforce that nature is virtuous in essence and intend at achieving greater unity and universal organization . They view man-made laws as artificial and transient that has limited life . So Taoist are against Legalism and believed that these were fabricated to serve the vested interest of the rulers and they have nothing to do with the common good of the people . This basic difference between the philosophical principles leads the Taoist to rebel against the established social patterns as they considered it a tool to perpetuate the regime of the despotic rulers

Confucianism is considered a rationalization of these two extremes i .e legalism and Taoism . Confucianism neither believed in the idea of harsh punishments , impersonal laws and inhuman rules toward the mass nor it gave approval to absolute individual freedom of thought and action as it would lead to utter anarchy . Confucianism adopted an equidistant approach between the two extremes and propagated a philosophy based on the beautiful combination of individual needs and social needs Confucianism served as a balance between the extreme centralization of power and subjugation of masses as embodied in Legalism and the utter chaos created by the absolute individualistic approach of Taoism

Legalism was an advanced political system whereas Taoism was inclined toward primitivism . Taoism reinforced the idea of a personal and individual reaction to the mundane and complex social problems According to its basic precept of Tao (way , human nature can find its own way out of many . So it negated the formulated laws and established social patterns . Subjective judgments were made according to the needs of the occasions . Mostly these judgments were based on the ancient teachings and traditional principles with outsized personal discretion In complete contrast to Taoism , Legalism established a complete code of laws and they (Legalists...