China's Four Schools of Thought Questions

[Anonymous]

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Remember, the Tao's symbol is the ying and yang. So we recognize there will be good and bad times, joy and sadness, health and sickness, and of course, good and evil. But we don't get stuck on the notion of "evil", but know there is a natural flow, a back and forth that reigns. We have to accept there is the bad, we recognize it and acknowledge that this proves how perfect everything is . . . the 2 sides HAVE to exist. -- E. Goebel

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[Anonymous]

[font=Georgia]Yin is the female sign of the Tao. Women have an equal place along side of men (yang). Much of the Tao's "let it flow" philosophy heralds the feminine style of patience, flexibility, and listening. Our men get in touch with these virtues. A key ideal might be: blend with life and its natural way, without losing sense of oneself.[/font]
[font=Georgia]Shamans are religious people performing certain services in the Tao. While men and women were shamans, women were predominant. In Western civilization, we talk about Mother Nature, an apt image of the female's position in the Tao.[/font]

[font=Georgia]Question: which of the 3 other schools of thought would share the Tao's philosophical role of women? Would any put women in a totally subservient role? How would the 4 schools respond to the notion that "sons were more valuable than daughters"?[/font]


edited by egoebel on 3/2/2012
edited by egoebel on 3/2/2012

[Anonymous]

It is not about relating to or understanding people on a personal level. It is about setting boundaries by spelling out strict rules and expectations and then modeling behavior for those younger so that they see what they should be doing. It is not about feelings, it is about productivity.

[Anonymous]

Law is universal. People in many countries may have nothing in common with one another; what does connect them is their understanding of and respect for the law.

[Anonymous]

The law does not discriminate against women. Women are to adhere to the laws just as men do. Peasant women have a very important maternal role to play in society. They take care of and raise their children to become productive mothers, soldiers, and peasants.

[Anonymous]

Women are well respected because of their contribution to the natural flow and are able to participate in Daoist practices. However, in larger social issues and bigger decision making participation can be limited, as that is the "natural" role of the man.

[Anonymous]

Mohist Question: Mohist belief is that the the emphasis on History is a mistake and that family is the source of all that is wrong. How can society move forward and away from nepotism and embezzlement from familie,s without studying the historical cause and triggers of why certain families carry out that behavior?

[Anonymous]

Mohism introduced the teachings of Mo Di, or Mozi ("Master Mo"). They teach explicitc ethical and political theories. Government leaders are servants of the people. By applying an unified ehical and political order emphasizing impartial concern for all, away of nepotism behavior, favoritism, embezzlement will attract the favor of heavenly guidance and trust by the people they represent. The Mohists believe that people are naturally motivated to do what they believe is right. Corrupt politicians are not part of this group.

[Anonymous]

All are equal in the eyes in the law. Everyone should contribute, everyone should follow the rules, and everyone should be productive. Men, women, children are all equal in the eyes of expectations, rules, rewards and consequences.

[Anonymous]

I know the Mohists are all about the greater good for the good of society, but what happens when corruption infiltrates the government? What would the people do then?

[Anonymous]

I had a few lesson plan ideas regarding the Chinese Schools of Thought. In addition to having students have a class discussion like we did in class last time we could actually have our students debate. I would have a series of topics and I would have students have one on one debates about those topics (i.e. Mohist v. Legalist on issue one and then Confucian v. Daoist on issue two). A way to review the information before a test would be to put up a series of opinions and have the students state which school of thought it applies to and have them explain why.

[Anonymous]

That is a great idea. You could almost structure it like a bingo game or jeopardy. I love the idea of working backwards so that your students know what the objective is.

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

1. To the Legalists: How do you govern people you do not understand or relate to (particularly, when the people you are serving may have no education or may be completing a job you have no experience in)?

2. To the Daoists: Can the Dao can be evil - or not support universal love - at times?

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