Chinese philosophy may sound a little far away, but in fact it has been affecting our daily life. In other words, when you think about “how to do it right” or “what is a good life”, you are already touching the core issue of Chinese philosophy. The key is that this ideological system is not a fossil in the museum, but a tradition of wisdom that has lived for more than two thousand years.
From the pre in scholars to Neo-Confucianism, and then to the contemporary new Confucianism, Chinese philosophy has gone through a unique path. Unlike western philosophy, it pays more attention to the practical problems of how people live and how society governs. I mean, it always carries a temperature of humanistic care.
The Core Characteristic of Chinese Philosophy: The Humanistic Spirit of the Unity of Man and Nature
Britannica encyclopedia pointed out that the keynote of Chinese philosophy is humanism, and people and society always occupy the central position (Duignan, 2023). But it’s not the same as saying that Chinese philosophers don’t care about the universe, on the contrary, what they pursue is the realm of “unity of man and nature”.
This characteristic began to sprout from the Western Zhou Dynasty. The merchants worshipped the ancestor god “God”, and the Zhou people gradually replaced it with “heaven”. The will of heaven is “destiny”, but destiny is not random, it rewards virtue and punishes evil. Therefore, people’s moral behavior becomes crucial – people can influence destiny through moral cultivation. This change is too important. It gives the decision right back to human beings.
What’s interesting is that this humanistic spirit makes some western scholars mistakenly believe that Chinese philosophy “only talks about ethics, not metaphysics.”. In fact, every school has a complete view of the universe. It’s just that they are more willing to put abstract principles into practice in specific life. For example, Zhouyi not only talks about divination, but also about the law of change; Confucius and Tan Renyi also said “know destiny”.
Schools of Thoughts in the Pre Qin Dynasty: The Golden Age of Chinese Philosophy
The peak of Chinese philosophy depends on the spring and Autumn period and the Warring States period. It was an era of free ideological competition, and the “Hundred Schools of Thoughts” recorded by Sima Guang in Records of the Grand Historian was not empty words. Confucianists, Taoists, Mohism, Legalism, famous schools have come on stage, each with its own “Tao”.
Confucianism: The Founder of Ethical Politics
Confucius (551-479 BC) is undoubtedly the core figure of this era. His thoughts are recorded in the The Analects of Confucius, and the core concepts include humaneness, righteousness, ritual propriety, etc. (Littlejohn, 2011). Confucius is not concerned about ghosts, but about how people become “gentlemen”.
The Confucian tradition he established emphasizes self-cultivation, family regulation, governance and world peace. This way from the inside out has become the keynote of Chinese political philosophy. After the Han Dynasty, Confucianism became the official ideology. In particular, the “four books” compiled by Zhu Xi in the twelfth Century became the textbook of the Imperial Exams, and the influence continued to 1911 (Littlejohn, 2011).
Taoism: The Wisdom of Naturalism
The Daodejing of Lao Tzu (traditionally believed to be in the sixth Century) took another way. He didn’t talk about human relations, but about “following the law of nature”. Taoism advocates doing nothing and believes that the best governance is to let things develop according to their own laws. This kind of thought is shown as “governing by inaction” , in politics, and “returning to nature” .
Chuang Tzu (about 365-290 BC) further developed this tradition. He tells stories with fables and breaks rigid thinking with relativism. In his view, right and wrong are all problems of perspective, and people should transcend these differences and reach the state of “free and easy”.
Mohism and the Famous: An Underestimated Treasure of Thought
Founded by Mo-tse (about 470-391 BC), Mohism advocated “universal love” , and utilitarianism. They opposed the Confucian red tape, advocated thrift and opposed war. Famous people like to play language games to discuss such logical issues as “white horse is not a horse”. Although these schools declined later, their logical thinking ability was amazing.
The Confluence of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism: The Fusion Wisdom of Chinese Philosophy
After the Qin and Han Dynasties, Chinese philosophy entered a new stage. In particular, after the introduction of Buddhism in the first Century ad, a tripod of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism was formed. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, this three religion relationship reached its peak (Hong Xiuping, 2003).
The confluence of the three religions is not a simple mixture, but a deep integration. When Buddhism was just introduced, it was attached to Huanglao Daoism; In the Wei and Jin Dynasties, Neo-Daoism became a bridge for the integration of Confucianism and Taoism, and also paved the way for the spread of Buddhism. In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, the localization of Buddhism was basically completed, and Chinese sects such as Tiantai School, Flower Garland School and Zen were founded one after another (Hong Xiuping, 2003).
The key is that although the three religions have different doctrines, they have complementary social functions. The Confucianists govern the world and establish etiquette norms; Taoism is in charge of “self-governing” , and pursues longevity; Buddhism is in charge of “governing the mind” , and solving mental troubles (Encyclopedia TA said, 2023). This mode of division and cooperation allows the three religions to find a space for coexistence.
Neo-Confucianism (Neo-Confucianism) is the product of this integration. Zhou Dunyi, Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi, Zhu Xi and other Confucians absorbed the ontology and self-cultivation of Buddhism and Taoism, and rebuilt the Confucian metaphysics. According to Zhu Xi’s theory of “one division of reason”, , there is a fundamental “reason” . This is obviously influenced by the Buddhist Flower Garland School’s “one is all” . thought (Hong Xiuping, 2003).
Neo-Confucianism): The Metaphysical Turn of Chinese Philosophy
Neo-Confucianism is another peak in the development of Chinese philosophy, forming a delicate and complete theoretical system (WeChat official account “learning is reasonable”, 2025). The core question at this stage is: where is the heavenly principle? How to understand the natural law?
Cheng Zhu’s Philosophy: The Philosophy System of the Difference Between the Principle and the Principle
Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi created the tradition of Neo Confucianism. They believed that “reason” , was the fundamental law of the universe, and advocated “the existence of heavenly reason and the elimination of human desires.” .”In terms of cognitive methods, it emphasizes “studying things and achieving knowledge” .- pursuing the heavenly principles through studying things (cultural science, 2025).
Zhu Xi (1130-1200) is a master. He compiled the four book chapters and sentences collection notes, which became the standard textbook for the imperial examination. Zhu Xi believes that human nature is good, but the cover of “Qi” , makes people have selfish desire. Cultivation is to remove the cover and restore the nature. This system is very complete, but it has a little meaning of “reason” .” outside the hearts of the people.
Lu Wang’s Mind Science: A Revolutionary Breakthrough in Mind as Principle
Lu Jiuyuan and Wang Yangming took another road. They put forward that “mind is reason”, , believing that the heavenly principle is not external things, but human’s original mind. Wang Yangming (1472-1529)’s “unity of knowledge and action” , is a revolutionary breakthrough – knowledge and action are inseparable, and knowing but not doing is equal to knowing (cultural science, 2025).
Wang Yangming believes that everyone has a “conscience” , and can distinguish right from wrong like a mirror. Cultivation is not to seek truth from the outside, but to invent the original mind from the inside. This thought was more grounded and had a great influence in the late Ming Dynasty. However, it may also lead to the tendency of “Zen”. Some people talk about the nature of mind instead of practical learning.
Modern Transformation: Dialogue Between Chinese Philosophy and the World
At the end of the eighteenth Century, western philosophy began to influence China. From Darwin and Spencer to Kant and Hagel, various thoughts poured into China (Duignan, 2023). Hu Shi (1891-1962) introduced pragmatism and promoted the new culture movement. He advocated the scientific method to sort out the national heritage and modernize the traditional thoughts.
Feng Youlan (1895-1990) reinterpreted Chinese philosophy with the framework of western philosophy. His history of Chinese philosophy became a classic, trying to prove that China also has a “systematic philosophy” .(Littlejohn, 2011). Although the practice of “explaining the middle with the west” , is controversial, it does allow Chinese philosophy to enter the modern academic system.
Marx doctrine became the mainstream in the middle of the twentieth Century. Mao Zedong Sinicized Marx and stressed practice and class struggle. Although this ideologyization once interrupted the tradition of Chinese philosophy, it also prompted scholars to reflect: what is the unique value of Chinese philosophy?
Contemporary Value: The Enlightenment of Chinese Philosophy in the Twenty-First Century
In the twenty-first Century, the contemporary value of Chinese philosophy received attention again. Zhang Liwen and other scholars put forward that Chinese philosophy should go to the world from “according to” ” “self speaking” WeChat official account “learning is reasonable”, 2025).
The ecological crisis is a typical example. The holistic view of “unity of man and nature” . of Chinese philosophy provides resources for the reconstruction of ecological ethics. It criticizes anthropocentrism and emphasizes the harmonious coexistence of human and nature (Zhangqiao scientific research, n.d.). This idea has important implications for sustainable development.
In the aspect of social harmony, Confucian “benevolence” , thought and Taoist “Inaction” . Du Weiming, the representative of new Confucianism, proposed that Confucian ethics can transcend the Enlightenment mentality and provide new ideas for global governance (Tu, 1996).
However, we have to admit that Chinese philosophy also has limitations. It pays too much attention to the politics of life, and the logical analysis is relatively weak. Jin Yuelin used logical analysis method to study Chinese philosophy, filling in the gap (cultural science, 2025). This shows that Chinese philosophy needs a dialogue with Western Philosophy in order to radiate new life.
At the end of the day, Chinese philosophy is not an unchanging dogma, but an evolving living tradition. From Hundred Schools of Thoughts in the pre-Qin period to the Neo Confucianism in the song and Ming Dynasties to the new interpretation in the contemporary era, it has always been responding to the problems of the times.
The key is to keep an open mind. We should not only inherit the traditional essence, but also absorb foreign wisdom. Only in this way can Chinese philosophy truly go to the world and contribute unique wisdom to solving common problems of human. After all, philosophy is not dead knowledge, but living wisdom.
References
Duignan, B. (2023). Chinese philosophy | , Confucianism, Daoism & Buddhism. Britannica
Hong Xiuping (2003). The relationship between Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and its academic influence. Philosophy China, 6. http://philosophychina.cssn.cn/xzwj/hxpwj/201507/t20150716_2736076.shtml
Littlejohn, R. (2011). Confucianism: An Introduction. I.B. Tauris.
Tu, W. (1996). Beyond the Enlightenment mentality: A Confucian perspective on ethics, migration, and global stewardship. International Migration Review, 30(1), 58-75.
Zhangqiao scientific research (n.d.). The holistic view of traditional Chinese philosophy and its contemporary value. https://www.zhangqiaokeyan.com/academic-degree-domestic_mphd_thesis/020312149803.html
cultural science (2025). The core knowledge framework of university philosophy. WeChat official account
WeChat official account “learning is reasonable” (2025). Zhang Liwen: from “speaking according to” to “speaking by oneself”, let Chinese philosophy go to the world. http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA5NTMyNTUzMQ==&mid=2654134522&idx=1&sn=72df53393cd34fc1eb423bfe962d5fa9
Encyclopedia TA said (2023). The struggle and integration between Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. https://baike.baidu.com/tashuo/browse/content?id=3b843d6a0b0fda0e5a245f68
Find More: Chinese culture
