40 replies to this topic

[chinaking]

I've heard of the 100 schools of thoughts. What were they?

[General_Zhaoyun]

They were schools (mostly philosophical schools) established privately during the Spring/Autumn Period as well as Warring States period (around 500 BC till 220 BC). Each school was presided by a teacher or a philosopher who represented the particular thoughts and faction.

The 100 schools of thoughts represented the golden age of chinese philosophy. The 100 schools of thoughts were called "Zhu Zi Bai Jia" in chinese (诸子百家). It created a great philosophical debate atmosphere during the Spring/Autum Period and Warring States period known as "Bai Jia Zheng Min" (百家争鸣), in which different school carried out debate on the best thoughts to resolve the violent and turbulent period in chinese history.

[Chinaconqueror]

Out of the 100 schools of thoughts, I think, the most influential will have to be confucianism...

[General_Zhaoyun]

I'll explain to you briefly about the 100 schools of thoughts. As said, they were private institutions or schools established by philosopher and teachers during the period of spring/autumn and warring states period (500 BC - 300 BC). The origin of establishment was due to the fact that there were incessant warfares during this time and it was a turbulent period in chinese history. Various school sprung forth to train elites, officials, bureaucrats for their state, in order to make their state powerful and ready for war. Various philosophers came forth with different thoughts on how to create a better society and to end the warfare.

I'll brief you on the main schools:

Confucianism School (孔家)
Founded by chinese philosopher Confucius, or Kong Fuzi, during the Spring/Autumn period. It was a school that focuses on teaching of ethics such "Li Yue Ren Yi" (礼乐仁义) or "Ritual, Benevolence and Righteous" as a way of creating a good society. This school stressed the that the ruler must be benevolent and use morality when ruling his kingdom. They also stressed a relationship of respect between the ruler and subject in the so-called "Jun Jun Chen Chen" (君君臣臣) and filial piety in the family. The confucian school, after confucius, was succeeded by other philosophers (disciples of Confucius) such as Zi Zhang (子张), Zi Si(子思), Yan Hui (颜回), Mencius (孟子), Qi Diao Shi (漆雕氏), Zhong Liang Shi (仲良氏), Le Zheng Shi (乐正氏) and Xun Zi (旬子) [althogether 8 sects]. During Emperor Han Wudi's time ( western han dynasty around 100 BC), Confucianism became adopted as the state philosophy.


"Taoism" or "Daoism" School (道家)
A school that stresses "Dao" (道) or "way" in universe as its main teaching. It was founded by Li Dan (李聃), and later succeeded by Zhuang Zhou (庄周), who is also called Zhuang Zi (庄子). The school taught that Dao is the guiding principle that control every aspect of the universe (the metaphysical teaching). Dao is not an unseen spiritual thing that people can recognise. The Daoism stresses on "Wuwei"(无为) [i.e. do nothing] , listen to the nature, 'give up on benevolence and righteousness' etc. The Daoist school later became a religious sect that developed popularly into a chinese religion during the northern/southern dynasty period of 4th century AD.


Mohism School (墨家)l
A unitarianism school during the Spring/Autumn and Warring states period that that opposes the teaching of confucianism. It was founded by Mo Zi (墨子) and liked to use natural science to support its teaching. Mo Zi was later succeeded by Xiang Fu Shi (相夫氏), Xiang Li Shi (相里氏), Deng Ling Shi (邓陵氏) [altogether 3 sects].


Legalism School (法家)
A school during the Spring/Autum and Warring states period that stresses the use of law (i.e. legalism) and reform to create a power state. The political philosopher mostly applied their legalist theory to reform a state in areas of politics, economy and society. These reform transform the state from slavery society to a feudalist society. Early representatives of this school include Li Kui (李悝), Wu Qi (吴起), Zi Chan (子产), Shang Yang (商鞅), Shen Bu Hai (申不害), Shen Dao (慎到) etc. Later representatives of this school include Han Fei Zi (韩非子), Li Si (李斯).


Yin Yang School (阴阳)
A school during warring states period that stressed dualism "Yin Yang" (two opposing forces "Yin" and "Yang") as well as five elements (Gold, wood, Water, Fire, Earth) as the metaphysic components of the world. The teaching on these were used to explain the natural phenomenon, society and dynasty change (historical pattern) of the world. Representative of this school include Zhou Yan (皱衍) etc.


School of Agriculture (农家)
A school during warring states period that teached the farming method, agriculture production and farmers, and stressed the importance of ruler putting emphasis on agriculture as the basis for development. They put forth various farming methods and experiences gathered from past history and research into new methods on increasing the productivity. Representative of this school include Xu Xin (许行), Chen Xiang (陈相) etc.


Dialecticians School (名家)
A philosophy school during the warring states period that focus on study of logic, meaning of words, concepts, arguments and debate etc. Representive philosophers include Hui Shi (惠施), Gong Sun Long (公孙龙) etc.


Military School (兵家)
A school during the Spring/Autumn and warrings states period that studied on military systems, strategy, warfare, training etc. They were divided into Military Strategy school, Military Formation school, Military Yin Yang school, Military Tacticians School etc. This school studied and accumulated various military experiences gathered from past warfare, and put forth various meaning of war, how to govern the army, military strategy methods etc. They contributed to the military thinking of the world. Representative include Sun Wu (孙武) , Wu Qi (吴起), Sun Bin (孙膑), Wei Liao (尉缭), Sima Rangju (司马穰苴).


Vertical and Horizontal Alliance School (纵横家)
A school or faction during the warring states period that engaged in political diplomatism activities. The "Vertical Alliance" (合纵) school representatives include Gong Sun Yan (公孙衍) and Su Qin (苏秦), while the "Horizontal Alliance" (连横) school representives include Zhang Yi (张仪). The Allies school stressed the importance of forming an alliance of 6 states altogether to fight against a common power Qin state. The Axis school on the hand stressed the importance of forming an alliance of the powerful Qin state with one or two other states in the east.


Generalist School (杂家)
A school during the warring states period that amalgamates all the teaching from various schools . Representative include Lu Bu Wei (吕不韦), who edited the book "Lu Shi Chun Qiu" (吕氏春秋) [The Spring/Autum records by Lu]

Edited by General_Zhaoyun, 01 January 2007 - 10:45 AM.

[thirdgumi]

Nice info GZ. I think Legalism enforced a centralized government and buroucracy to rule a state instead of feudalism and lord-vassal relationship.
Confucianism wasn't popular among the ruling class of those times. During Warring states period, the ruling class sttrugled between centralized government and feudalism. In Qin state, legalsim, thus centralized governemt overcome feudalism, while in other states, feudalism remained. It was much later, during Han dynasty that confucianism started to be the ruling philosofy of ancient China.
The Moism during those time was as influencial as confucianism, later on, it just disappeared.

[General_Zhaoyun]

Nice info GZ. I think Legalism enforced a centralized government and buroucracy to rule a state instead of feudalism and lord-vassal relationship.
Confucianism wasn't popular among the ruling class of those times. During Warring states period, the ruling class sttrugled between centralized government and feudalism. In Qin state, legalsim, thus centralized governemt overcome feudalism, while in other states, feudalism remained. It was much later, during Han dynasty that confucianism started to be the ruling philosofy of ancient China.
The Moism during those time was as influencial as confucianism, later on, it just disappeared.

The disappearance of Mohism was due to Emperor Han Wudi's adoption of confucianism as the state philosophy and casting away all the other schools.

Yeah, you're right, Confucianism wasn't popular among the ruling class. In fact, it was only in the Lu state, where Confucius was born, and where confucianism was more popular among the Lu ruler.

Legalism is basically totalitarian, having a centralised government and bureaucracy. All laws were made known to every citizens in the state, and to be followed. The whole state was mobilized and created for one thing: becoming a powerful state militarily and economically. It was created out of competition for one thing: war and conquest. The good economy was created by having a strict law on agriculture, or making sure the productivity is high and there is surplus food supply for the army. Also, the country had more resources and 'buying power' to build chariots, rear horsed for the army, train professional troops etc.

The Shangyang reform in Qin was more thorough than any other reforms in other states. It transformed the Qin state from one that is rather 'feudalistic' to be a centralised totalitarian state, where productivity and efficiency are higher. For this reason, they become more powerful than the other states.

The 'lord-vassal' feudalism system, quite strangely, was 'restored' during the Han dynasty era, although the centralised government remained. This had indirectly caused the 'War of the 7 states' (七国之乱) during Emperor Han Jin Di's time.

[yau]

:D 100 thoughts is just a literal but incorrect translations, but there were only about 20 streams of thoughts at that time. The true meaning of "a hundred" means "many" in chinese.

There's a similar vocab : 百姓 (literally, a hundred surname). It means all people living under the control of the emperor.

[General_Zhaoyun]

  100 thoughts is just a literal but incorrect translations, but there were only about 20 streams of thoughts at that time. The true meaning of  "a hundred" means "many" in chinese. 

There's a similar vocab : 百姓 (literally, a hundred surname). It means all people living under the control of the emperor.

Yes..I also think so.. they are actually only 20 streams of thoughts.. actually, during Spring/Autumn period, the appearance of private schools led by these leading thinkers was the result of "100 schools of thoughts"..

[ren]

They were schools (mostly philosophical schools) established privately during the Spring/Autumn Period as well as Warring States period (around 500 BC till 220 BC). Each school was presided by a teacher or a philosopher who represented the particular thoughts and faction.

The 100 schools of thoughts represented the golden age of chinese philosophy. The 100 schools of thoughts were called  "Zhu Zi Bai Jia" in chinese (诸子百家). It created a great philosophical debate atmosphere during the Spring/Autum Period and Warring States period known as "Bai Jia Zheng Min" (百家争鸣), in which different school carried out debate on the best thoughts to resolve the violent and turbulent period in chinese history.

It's too bad it got all buried by Qin. It could've rivaled Greece as a factory for human knowledge otherwise.

[General_Zhaoyun]

It's too bad it got all buried by Qin. It could've rivaled Greece as a factory for human knowledge otherwise.

Actually, Qinshihuang'ss life burial of Confucius scholars (坑儒) did not destroy the school of thoughts. Some books were hidden and discovered after that. Some scholars still survive and carrying on through han dynasty. Otherwise, we would not know what all these schools were today.

Taoism's political ideology of "Wuwei Erzhi 无为而治" (doing nothing and let nature takes it course) was much practised during the early period of Han, until Han Wudi's adoption of Confucianism as state philosophy changed all the system for the next 2000 years of chinese history. Taoism and Confucianism were two main schools of thoughts during Spring/Autumn period, but they were not able to be adopted during Warring State period due to the political situation at that time, where the powerful subjugated the weak. These two schools of thought was useful for consolidating the rules but not for making a country powerful militarily. Legalism found its more practical use in Qin dynasty, where political reforms turned the country into a militarilistic powerful state, building it into a war machine. The legalism is somewhat like 'totalitarian' in today's political terminology.

Edited by General_Zhaoyun, 06 April 2005 - 11:42 PM.

[MengTzu]

Actually, Qinshihuang'ss life burial of Confucius scholars (坑儒) did not destroy the school of thoughts. Some books were hidden and discovered after that. Some scholars still survive and carrying on through han dynasty. Otherwise, we would not know what all these schools were today.

It's somewhat doubtful whether Qin did that much damage to the schools. If I'm not mistaken the point wasn't to destroy books but to keep them from circulation among the populace (except Yi Ching, which was allowed because it's a fortune telling book.) I suspect that there is a possibility that the impact of Qin was exaggerated by Han scholars so that they can make things up and say "we found it." Xiang Yu's burning of the Qin palace might also have a great impact on the books. Qin's burial of the scholars was indeed a heinous crime.

[General_Zhaoyun]

It's somewhat doubtful whether Qin did that much damage to the schools.  If I'm not mistaken the point wasn't to destroy books but to keep them from circulation among the populace (except Yi Ching, which was allowed because it's a fortune telling book.)  I suspect that there is a possibility that the impact of Qin was exaggerated by Han scholars so that they can make things up and say "we found it."  Xiang Yu's burning of the Qin palace might also have a great impact on the books.  Qin's burial of the scholars was indeed a heinous crime.

Meng Tzu, you're right.. Qinshihuang tried to silence all thoughts especially Confucianism, for adopting a more benevolent rule, which was against his legalism ideology. For this,he buried 460 (not sure the exact figure) confucian scholars, and ordered that all books about Confucianism to be burnt and destroyed.

But don't forget that some of the early aides and officials of Liu Bang (founder of Han dynasty) such as Zhang Liang, Xiao He etc, have strong confucian background . So confucianism did indeed surivive.

Xianyu's burning of Qin place (Palace of Ah Fang 阿房宫) do not indeed have a great impact on the books, the only thing destroyed were the treasures there. I doubt they had an imperial library in Palace of Ah Fang.

[God Of Plague]

Didn't the Mohist emphasize defesnive measures such as the anti incendiary measure of covering vulnerable targets with mud? etc.

[CARDINAL009]

I'll explain to you briefly about the 100 schools of thoughts. As said, they were private institutions or schools established by philosopher and teachers during the period of spring/autumn and warring states period (500 BC - 300 BC). The origin of establishment was due to the fact that there were incessant warfares during this time and it was a turbulent period in chinese history. Various school sprung forth to train elites, officials, bureaucrats for their state, in order to make their state powerful and ready for war. Various philosophers came forth with different thoughts on how to create a better society and to end the warfare.

Vertical and Horizontal Alliance School (纵横家)
A school or faction during the warring states period that engaged in political diplomatism activities. The "Vertical Alliance" (合纵) school representatives include Gong Sun Yan (公孙衍) and Su Qin (苏秦), while the "Horizontal Alliance" (连横) school representives include Zhang Yi (张仪). The Allies school stressed the importance of forming an alliance of 6 states altogether to fight against a common power Qin state. The Axis school on the hand stressed the importance of forming an alliance of the powerful Qin state with one or two other states in the east.

General Zy,

Q: Did the essence of the Vertical and Horizontal Alliance School (纵横家) originated from Wang Xu, the Master of Ghost Valley?

[Moose]

General Zy,

Q: Did the essence of the Vertical and Horizontal Alliance School (纵横家) originated from Wang Xu, the Master of Ghost Valley?

Wang Xu is Gui Gu Zi?The reputed teacher of Sun Bin, Pang Juan and Zhang Yi, Su Qin?