Topic > The similarities and differences between Confucianism and Taoism

In the 6th century BC there existed a mythical figure named Lao-tzu. Lao-tzu was what the Chinese would like to call a sage as he was a person of profound wisdom. Lao-tzu's wisdom was so philosophical that the Chinese actually gave it a name and that name was called Taoism. However, during this period there was another great sage known as Confucius, whose advice was somewhat at odds with that of Lao-tzu. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Although Confucianism and Taoism have much in common, such as the fact that they both encourage wisdom, focus on minimalist concepts and recommend positive lifestyles, and are a process of change over time, the opinions also contrast in many ways. Taoism was usually considered less explicit and more mystical, while Confucianism emphasized the social and moral order of things, eliminating interest in natural phenomena. In contrast, Taoism treated natural and social orders as if they were continuous. As Joseph Needham, a great scholar, stated, "Confucianism was chauvinistic and authoritarian: the Taoists condemned it and sought a feminine and receptive knowledge that could only arise as the fruit of a passive and surrendering attitude in the observation of Nature". This brings us to what is known as the Tao. Tao can be translated as “the way,” which refers to the ways in which the Universe works. Taoism emphasizes the virtue of passive observation of nature, and the Taoist view is compared by many scholars to that of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus because of his infamous quote: “You cannot enter the same river twice, for other waters and others go Always". scrolling."Many have come across the "I Ching", or "Book of Changes", which has many similarities to the ideas and opinions of both Confucianism and Taoism. Although the I Ching is traditionally used to predict the future , many Western scholars such as GW Leibniz and CG Jung find the I Ching very fascinating due to its use of yang and yin as a coding scheme involving what would later be known as a binary number system as a way to make predictions about possible future outcomes. Furthermore, a cyclical conception of historical change emerges, leading many to consider the question of whether or not the history of psychology involves more repetition than progress representation of how phenomena can change over time. Circular models, known as circumplex, are quite common in the history of psychology. The most pervasive circumflex model in Western psychology has been Galen's typology of temperaments, as it has influenced many psychologists such as Martindale. & Martindale and Miller. Within Taoism it carries the general sense of being good but it is different in how you do it. you don't have to provide good deeds within your life, what I mean is that they are generally good but instead of providing for others they live in peace with all things and people. Confucianism is a very standard approach to most religions values, simply put simply doing good and acting in times of need for the less fortunate. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay And the last major form of ethical values ​​are the forms they take within each religion, the five precepts that embody what is expected of a follower, Taoism has the term Wu Wei (do not) as the basis for their lack.