by C.C. » 12 Feb 2010, 04:20
A Rough Outline to the "Hundred Schools of Philosophy"
I thought it might be interesting for me to expand on this particular subject, especially for the curious-minded players who would like to develop their character background further. Currently, this serves as a rudimentary outline, though I can elaborate on particular schools as people like. Simply send me a message and I'll add the information here.
Obviously, I cannot do any of these philosophers justice. However, for the purpose of simulation gaming, I believe a little bit of knowledge is better than none.
In scholarly debate, announcing one's school is extremely important. It's a sign of respect to the opponent, a sign of respect to yourself, and let's face it. "My teacher can kick your teacher's ass" is pretty much one of the commonest comebacks for amateur scholars and students. Announcing one's school can usually count on senior students and other people who are friendly towards your school to pitch in, further making one's experience enjoyable.
School of Ru - Confucianism.
Leading Thinkers: Kong zi (Confucius). Meng zi (Mencius), Xun Zi (No idea what his English name is)
Key works: Lun Yu (The Analects of Confucius), Meng Zi, and Xun Zi.
Ruling Paradigm: Government should follow the "Way of Kings." Individual morality is stressed. Filial piety is vital. Loyalty and forgiveness is important. Rituals and courtly behavior is paramount. Education leads to prosperity, and therefore, one should strive to educate all gentlemen. De, as a philosophical guideline, suggests that if one acts benevolently, it will inspire the people to do the same.
Interesting concepts:
The Rituals of Zhou (Li Yue): A complex system of nobility and rankings, particularly important in musical presentations. People should bow a certain way depending on rank. Returning to the olden times is the optimal way to bring about peace.
Way of Kings: The nobility are entitled because they are the nobility. The Emperor is the Emperor because of a heavenly mandate. A popular saying goes, "One do not use punishment on Daifu (High ranking officer), and one do not apply Li to the common person."
Branching schools:
Meng zi: Proposes "Ren Zheng," or benevolent rule. Mankind is believed to be inherently good, and therefore, one only need to stress reward in order to govern.
Xun zi: Proposes "Zhong Lu," or the rule of the average. Mankind is believed to be neither good nor bad, and therefore, one need to reason with them in order to govern best.
School of Dao - Daoism. Also known as the School of the Way and Morality.
Leading Thinkers: Lao Zi, Zhuang Zi, Lei Zi.
Key works: Dao De Jing, Zhuang Zi, Lei Zi.
Governing paradigm: There is one force in the universe, known as the Way. Government should never strive against what is natural. Encourages a passive form of government with as little interference as possible.
Interesting concepts:
"Soft Overcoming Hard": In order to become a ruler, one must take as much responsibility and blame as possible. Like water - flowing, soft, but can also act as a raging current. Referring to a Dao mindset, in which one is passively focused until it is necessary to move.
Branching schools:
Yang Zhu: Proposes that one should focus on benefiting the self, not at the cost of others, but not benefiting others either. If no one wishes to harm another person, and everyone wishes to benefit themselves, then the world will be at peace.
Zhuang Zi: Proposes that all of these problems are fleeting, and not very important. Often accused of escapist.
Song Yin: (Refers to two philosophers. Song Kai and Yin Wen) Proposes that one should take a pacifist approach in ruling - one should not be jealous of their neighbors, nor seek to cultivate arms, but instead should live off the heavens and earth, and thus, everyone will be at peace.
Huang Lao: (Refers to Huang Di and Lao Zi) Proposes that one should take an even approach. The ruler should, if there is no problem to be addressed, be passive and maintain the way. However, if there are problems, the ruler should use the most efficient method possible, such as the law.
School of Mo - Mohist
Leading Thinkers: Mo Zi
Key works: Mo Zi
Governing paradigm: Before we get into this, look at their philosophical beliefs first. Technological advancement is greatly supported, as are craftsmen, doctors, and alchemists. Very individualist while still maintaining a focus on the group. Followers of Mo Zi are oftentimes swordsmen, merchants, craftsmen, or something else in addition to being a scholar.
Interesting concepts:
"Jian Ai": A concept that can be translated as "Love Equally." The idea is that you treat everyone as you would be treated. Showing no special preferences for kinship or family or relationships. Directly in conflict with the Ru scholars due to this fundamental difference.
Equality: Slavery is bad. Ranks are bad. Everyone should more or less be equal.
"Fei MIng": The power of the individual. Each individual have the duty and right to attempt to uphold what is right, and what is wrong.
"Democracy": Mo disciples have a rule: before any major action is taken, the group must unanimously agree. Even if there is one voice of objection, the person who objects have the right to voice his or her opinion and be addressed by the leader (Ju Zi) himself.
Branching schools:
School of Upper Mo: Focuses on sciences, logic, optics, mathematics, and construction. More like wandering cells of scholar/scientists than an actual philosophical group
School of Latter Mo: Focuses on individuals or small bands and upholding justice in the land. Many knight-errants, Wuxia, and swordsmen in this particular group.
School of Fa- Legalism. Also known as the School of Laws
Leading Thinkers: Shang Yang, Shen Buhai, Li Li, Guan Zhong, Han Fei
Key works: Shang Jun Shu (Book of Lord Shang), Shen Zi, Fa Ji (Codex of Laws)
Governing paradigm: People are inherently evil. What's more, people inherently suck. Thus, a strong system of laws are needed to keep people in check. The law is the highest source of authority, with zero room for flexibility. Under the law, all people are equal. Productive things, such as farming or forging is encouraged. The nobility ranks should be discarded, as well as the ancient system of Jing Tian (Farming system) and slaves. Education isn't important - what's important is that they follow the law.
Interesting concepts:
"Fa Zhi": Rule of Law. Not even the Emperor is exempt from the law, though interestingly, there are no recorded instance of the Emperor breaking a law.
Reward based on deed: For valor in battle or plentiful harvests, even commoners and former slaves may gain titles.
Branching Schools:
Shang Yang: Proposes "Fa Zhi," as mentioned above. The law is harsh, unyielding, but undeniably effective. A strong military is necessary to maintain a good society, and a strong military needs to be backed up by a strong economy. Only then can you begin reforming all other aspects of society. In terms of governence, enforcement of the law is key.
Shen Buhai: Proposes "Shu Zhi." The concept is similar to Shang Yang, except that the law is not key. Instead, the ruler's "secret police" - the "Shu," so to speak, is paramount. As a ruler, he must keep his officers in control at all times. Shu is a term for the technique and policies that will manipulate and check subordinates, ensuring there being no corruption and loyalty lies with the crown. Most of his work lost after an (understandably) unsuccessful legal reform.
Shen Dao: Proposes "Li Zhi," or Rule through Officers. The concept is also similar to Shang Yang's Fa Zhi, but the stress is upon public demonstration and officials. Talented individuals are rewarded according to merit, and stresses that non-talented individual or corrupt officers are executed in public in order to bolster the people's image of the king. Ultimately, the king or ruler holds the power of pardon, as well as arbitrarily changing the law as the Heavens decree.
Han Fei: (Note from C.C: I am not familiar with him to give a summary, sorry.)
School of Ming: No English translation. Translates to the School of Fame.
Leading Thinkers: Gongsun Long, Deng Zhe
Key works: Gongsun Long Zi
Governing paradigm: Widely considered to be the ancestor of Fa, Ming scholars propose a few things. First, that education is important, and there needs to be an inherent system of justice to avenge the people's wrongs. There should be a set of laws - clear, easy to understand, and something that is different from the old Confucian laws, which are hypocritical and unfair.
Interesting concepts:
"The White Horse is Not a Horse": Usage of logical paradoxes.
Changeless and change: The standard of morality, if one exists, should be unfallable and unchanging.
Branching Schools:
Gongsun Long: Basically Chinese Plato. Seriously.
Deng Zhe: Proposes that change is necessary, and that change should be immediate. The king should not be king if he does not act like a king - I.E. taking care of his people and so on. Basically Chinese Barack Obama.
School of Yin-Yang: No English translation. Translates to the School of Yin and Yang
Leading Thinkers: Zou Yan
Key works: Scattered bits and pieces everywhere.
Governing paradigm: Just as there are differences in the world - one light, and one dark, so one must take the same way with governance. Stresses careful analysis, but also auguries, mysticism, and borderlines on the arcane in some places.
Interesting concepts:
The Eternal Link: Everything has a counter, and something that it counters. Everyone is linked in such a way to everyone else.
Branching Schools:
Unknown. Very little is known about this school, though it was prominent in the Warring States period. Likely what fueled the Yellow Turbans.
School of Ce (Zong Heng): No English Translation. Translates to the School of Stratagems, or the School of Diplomacy, or somethings both.
Leading Thinkers: Guiguzi, Zhang Yi, Su Qin
Key Works: Guiguzi, Zhanguo Ce (Strategies of the Warring States)
Governing paradigm: Focuses on two things, and two things only. Practicality and diplomacy. In other words, if it produces results, keep people fed, and the nation running, it's a philosophy worth adapting or trying. Extremely flexible. Focuses on debates and argumentation and stresses diplomatic relations above all else. Open-minded and willing to try out stuff. Often accused of being copycats.
Interesting concepts:
He Zong: (Horizontal Alliance) A concept in which small nations should gang up on a big nation to beat it up so the world can be at peace again (because everyone's tense and paranoid).
Lian Heng: (Control and Restrict) A concept in which the small nations should actually try to get on the good side of that one big nation so that they can potentially benefit from the situation, and eventually turn the tables.
Branching schools:
Pretty much anyone with a mouth in the Ce school can found his own school. As a school that focuses so much on debate and argumentation, there is no "formal" paradigm to take.
Minor schools:
There are other philosophical schools out there. However, they're considered to be "Minor" because they either focus only on a few aspects, or are otherwise obscured by the history of time.
Nong (Farming): Exactly what it says on the tin. Focuses on agriculture, plants, and farming as the way to save the world.
Xiao Shuo (Novel?): A school that focuses on the people and the rumors in the countryside. A "populist" approach, if you will have it.
Bing (War): Pretty much all the badass generals like Sun Tzu came out of this one. Exactly what it says on the tin.
Yi (Medicine): Another one of those that's self-explanatory. In this case, it's not as much as using medicine to govern as much as stressing the importance of health of the general populace.
Last edited by
C.C. on 12 Feb 2010, 04:41, edited 1 time in total.
Xi Zi(23/F) 55-84*-80*-51-98* Arson; Artisan (e); Charming (e); Duelist; Jeer; Medic; Navy; Study; Spy; Zeal
60% Injury from Tony the Tiger.
Sort of bored still. Though, open to recruitment efforts.