ancient Chinese philosophy

Confucius and Laozi

Ancient Chinese philosophy refers to the schools of thought that emerged in China before the common era, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism.

These traditions address ethics, governance, harmony with nature, and proper conduct.

The term appears in academic contexts and popular discussions of Eastern wisdom: Ancient Chinese philosophy emphasizes balance and social harmony.

AnalectsClassical Chinese wisdom text
DaoismPhilosophy of natural harmony
ConfucianismChinese ethical philosophy
yin-yangChinese duality symbol
harmonyAgreement or musical blend

filial piety · Laozi · Mencius · I Ching · Mandate of Heaven · junzi · feng shui · qi · Confucius · Neo-Confucianism · junzi · Confucius · Neo-Confucianism

Opposites

geographic/cultural tradition

ancient Chinese philosophyWestern philosophy

European tradition of reasoned inquiry

ancient Greek philosophy · Indian philosophy · Scholasticism

temporal period

ancient Chinese philosophymodern philosophy

Post-medieval Western thought

Maoism

mode of inquiry

ancient Chinese philosophymodern science

Post-Enlightenment systematic investigation

formal logic · scientific method

Family

ancient, anciently, ancientness, China, Chinese, philosophy, philosophies, philosopher, philosophers

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