Chinese Thought

Assignment: Read the about Chinese Confucianism & Taoism in your textbook. Then

read the excerpts from Kishlansky and online.

In a well-written essay of at least 400 words, address the following:

How is Confucian thought expressed in the excerpt from the Analects. What are the most important values for a Confucian?

What is proper behavior according to Confucius?

How are the ideas of Taoism expressed within the Tao Te Ching? What precepts and values are expressed in the work? Consider the ways in which the ideologies of Confucianism and Taoism are similar…and different. How and why might they exist in China simultaneously? How did they contribute to the development of Chinese culture?

Do you find aspects of either Confucianism or Taoism appealing? Expand. How are they compatible (or not compatible) with your own belief system? What do they tell us about difference between Eastern and Western Civilizations?

Make sure that you provide evidence demonstrating that you have read the excerpts and thought about the ideas expressed. Express your opinions and reaction to these schools of thought